The Best Chicken Marinade

And it's probably in your fridge already

Chicken is always a crowd-pleaser, and the best way to infuse flavor into this weeknight staple is with an easy marinade. But if you think you need a bunch of ingredients or a special sauce from the store to create a flavorful bird, think again. The truth is you only need one ingredient and you probably already have it on hand.

Pickle juice is the easiest chicken marinade on the market.

The leftover liquid from store-bought or homemade pickles is essentially a brine (water and salt) and is pure gold. Pour the juice in a Ziploc bag and let the meat marinate for two hours if you're using chicken thighs, and four hours if you're using breasts. If you're looking to mix it up, varieties like garlic pickle juice or any spicy versions work even better. Trust us on this one.

Not a pickle fan? Skeptical that your chicken is going to taste like a jar full of dill spears? Fear not. This marinade imparts flavor without overpowering the meat. With this recipe you'll never find yourself in a, ahem, pickle again.