Should You Freeze Chicken In Teriyaki Marinade?
Marinading adds intense flavor to poultry; without it, chicken would be very bland. Poultry can be doused in various sauces, spices, and herbs, from homemade marinades to store-bought chicken teriyaki sauce and Italian dressing (via Eat This Not That). When it's marinated, chicken soaks up all the flavor of the herbs and spices and delivers a moist, flavorful taste in every bite.
Whipping up a marinade takes time though, and then needs to be left on the chicken to soak up the flavors. Wouldn't it be great to have a solution for this time-consuming issue?
The USDA says to keep chicken parts in the freezer for no longer than nine months. Whole, raw chickens can be safely stored for up to one year, and giblets and ground turkey for three to four months. Many people ask whether they can also keep raw chicken in a marinade inside the freezer. It's a good question; we want maximum flavor from our chicken, right?
Yes, you can store marinated chicken in the freezer
Kitchn says that freezing chicken soaked in marinade ensures your dinner will be ultra-flavorful. The site recommends pouring the marinade of your choice into a freezer bag, then dropping the chicken inside. Squish the bag a few times to ensure the chicken is thoroughly coated, and stash it in the freezer.
When you're ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw. As the poultry defrosts, it absorbs the marinade, which gives the chicken flavor. Remove the thawed chicken from the bag, discard the marinade, and cook. If you don't have time to thaw, Kitchn says to cook the frozen chicken and marinade in your Instant Pot with a bit of water or broth and cook.
The USDA says it is safe to marinate poultry for up to two days, but any longer, and you risk compromising the texture of the meat. They also say to always marinate meat in the refrigerator and boil the unused marinade if you plan to use it for basting. Never save the marinade. Freezing chicken in teriyaki marinade is a perfect choice for ultra-flavorful chicken and a quick dinner solution.