Simple and Delicious Marinade
Sharing my amazing marinade for chicken (boneless, skinless thighs or breast), pork tenderloin or firm/extra firm tofu. When using chicken breast meat, I like to slice it so the marinade soaks in!
This delicious concoction of umami seasonings and spices come together easily and blend together perfectly with the lemon juice and zest to create a very deep and rich marinade that makes the chicken, pork or tofu taste so flavourful and good. The lemon, or try lime – so good too, helps to allow the marinade to penetrate the meat.
Seriously, you have to try this marinade the next time you want to marinade!
As always, when you make this recipe, I would love to see your creation so please post a photo of your Simple and Delicious Marinade goodness and tag my IG account #RenataCollective or leave a comment with your thoughts!
Prep Time: 5 Minutes / Marinate Time: 3 hours minimum, 8 hours is best, overnight works great too / Makes: enough for 6-8 chicken thighs or 4 breasts, one large pork tenderloin or 1 package of firm or extra firm tofu
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic – about 3 large cloves
3 Tablespoons Tamari – alternate: soy sauce
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil – alternate: grape seed oil or avocado oil
2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup – alternate: coconut sugar or honey
1 Tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar – alternate: white wine, apple cider or regular vinegar
1 Tablespoon Chipotle Mustard – alternate: Dijon mustard or another spicy mustard
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
½ teaspoon Cayenne
1/8 teaspoon Turmeric
1 Lemon - juiced (3 Tablespoons) and zested (1 Tablespoon)
Pinch of Herbed Seasoned Sea Salt or regular Sea Salt
Grinds of fresh Black Pepper
6 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs or 4 Chicken Breasts Sliced in ½’ inch pieces or 1 Medium/large Pork Tenderloin trimmed of fat and the silver skin or 1 Package of Firm/Extra Firm Tofu Sliced in 1/2” pieces.
How It’s Made
Whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl.
Either in a large ziplock bag or in a bowl, add the chicken or pork.
If in a ziplock, pour the marinade in, seal the bag and squeeze to make sure all the chicken or pork is covered in the marinade.
If in a bowl, pour in the marinade and toss the chicken or pork in the marinade to ensure each piece is covered.
If using tofu, lay the pieces flat in a baking dish, pour the marinade over top and carefully turn the tofu in the marinade to ensure all sides have been covered.
Put in the fridge and let it marinade for 3 hours minimum, 8 hours is best.
When you are ready to cook the chicken, pork or tofu, preheat your oven to 400°F. Place parchment or foil on a baking sheet and remove the meat/tofu from the marinade, laying the pieces on the baking sheet in a single layer. Discard any remaining marinade. Thighs can be laid flat which allows them to cook faster so check after 15 minutes.
Bake for 20-25 minutes and check the thickest piece with a meat thermometer – chicken must be cooked to 165°F, pork to 145°F
When done, remove from oven and serve with your favourite sides!
This marinated chicken or pork is good on the BBQ too. I’ve not had much luck with tofu! Cook as you are used to BBQing chicken, making sure to check the thickest piece with a meat thermometer – chicken must be cooked to 165°F, pork to 145°F
Leftovers are great cold, chopped into a salad, or use in a sandwich!
Enjoy!
