I have a couple of tips to improve on pretty much any marinade recipe:
Lemon/lime juice: Omit if you’re marinating for more than 1h and replace instead with zest. The acid will cook the meat and the exterior will be drier.
Brine: I usually wet brine before in a water+ salt mixture (1 Tbsp kosher salt/1 cup water, NOT table salt) for 1h for chicken breast, 2h for thighs/legs, then marinade. If you do this, don’t add salt to your marinade. Do not do this if your marinade recipe calls for soy sauce or anything equally salty.
It’s not exactly healthier but it is pretty tasty. It’s even better of you can use ghee instead of butter but that might be harder to get your hands on.
I’ve saved a few recipes over time, here are my favourites:
For legs/drumsticks: https://natashaskitchen.com/baked-chicken-legs-with-garlic-and-dijon/
If I don’t have time to marinade overnight: https://www.modernhoney.com/the-best-chicken-marinade-recipe/
Easy crowd pleaser: https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/perfectly-grilled-chicken-breasts.html
If you have tahini lying around: https://www.thechunkychef.com/tahini-marinated-chicken-buddha-bowl/
Fajitas: https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/chicken-fajitas.html
I have a couple of tips to improve on pretty much any marinade recipe:
Lemon/lime juice: Omit if you’re marinating for more than 1h and replace instead with zest. The acid will cook the meat and the exterior will be drier.
Brine: I usually wet brine before in a water+ salt mixture (1 Tbsp kosher salt/1 cup water, NOT table salt) for 1h for chicken breast, 2h for thighs/legs, then marinade. If you do this, don’t add salt to your marinade. Do not do this if your marinade recipe calls for soy sauce or anything equally salty.
Also if you want to try fried chicken without deep frying I suggest brining some skin on thighs/legs then trying the following recipe: https://www.thespruceeats.com/southern-oven-fried-chicken-3058647
It’s not exactly healthier but it is pretty tasty. It’s even better of you can use ghee instead of butter but that might be harder to get your hands on.