Marinating might take a little extra time, but the payoff is huge when it comes to flavor-packed dinners. Why settle for plain when you can have meals that are tender, juicy, and bursting with taste? These marinated recipes will remind you why waiting a bit longer for dinner is totally worth it. Whether you’re throwing something on the grill, baking it in the oven, or letting the air fryer do its thing, these dishes are ready to make your weeknight dinners way more exciting.
Marinated Chicken Wings
These wings hit all the right notes—salty, sticky, sweet, and savory. After soaking up the marinade, they’ll have you wondering why you ever bothered with buffalo sauce. Definitely worth the wait.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Chicken Wings
The Best Tofu Marinade
This Thai-inspired marinade brings tofu to life with the magic of almond butter. Letting it sit for a while gives it a flavor boost that makes every bite a game-changer. Who said plant-based can’t be fun?
Get the Recipe: The Best Tofu Marinade
Marinated Baked Tempeh
Tempeh doesn’t have to be boring, especially when marinated right. This recipe takes it from bland to bold with minimal effort. Let it soak, bake, and you’ve got a great, crispy base for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Baked Tempeh
Indian Steak Kabobs
These kabobs are like a flavor party on a stick. Marinated with Indian spices and yogurt, they’re tender, juicy, and anything but boring. The marinade does all the heavy lifting—just grill and enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Indian Steak Kabobs
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a quick stint in the air fryer make these salmon bites your new weeknight go-to. They’re tender, flavorful, and ready faster than you can say “takeout.” The wait is totally worth it.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Grilled Venison Backstrap
Venison backstrap gets the royal treatment with this overnight marinade. The result? Juicy, flavorful, and tender meat that grills up like a dream. You’ll wonder why you don’t marinate everything.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Venison Backstrap
Lamb Korma
Lamb marinated in yogurt is a no-brainer when it comes to tenderness, and this korma delivers on all fronts. Creamy sauce, tender meat—this one’s definitely worth the marination time. Serve with rice and feel like a pro.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Korma
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Olive oil, lemon, and garlic make a marinade that’ll have these lamb chops cooking up perfectly in no time. Ten minutes in the air fryer is all it takes to deliver something seriously impressive.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Citrus Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Shrimp meets citrus in this punchy marinade that’ll have your skewers bursting with flavor. Quick to grill and even quicker to disappear, these skewers are the perfect summer dish that makes the marinating totally worthwhile.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Sheet Pan Herb-Marinated Chicken and Potatoes
One pan, a simple marinade, and you’ve got yourself a meal that looks way fancier than the effort it takes. Herb-marinated chicken and crispy potatoes all roasted together? This one’s a keeper.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Herb-Marinated Chicken and Potatoes
Chicken Tikka Recipe
With perfectly spiced, marinated chicken, this Chicken Tikka will quickly become a household favorite. The marinade does all the heavy lifting, giving you tender, flavorful bites every time. Your takeout cravings won’t stand a chance.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Recipe
Mexican Chicken Marinade
Vibrant spices and a burst of citrus make this Mexican chicken marinade an absolute flavor bomb. Give it a little time to work its magic, and you’ll end up with chicken that’s tender, juicy, and downright unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Chicken Marinade
Herb Marinated Pork Chops with Apple Chutney
Marinated pork chops paired with sweet-tart apple chutney? Yes, please! This combo is great for those cool nights when you want something hearty and flavorful. Let the marinade work overnight, and you’re set for a winning meal.
Get the Recipe: Herb Marinated Pork Chops with Apple Chutney
Chicken Street Tacos
After marinating these chicken thighs, your tacos will never be the same. With every bite, you’ll be transported to your favorite street vendor, minus the travel. Great for a casual dinner that delivers big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Street Tacos
Oven Baked Marinated Chicken Tenders
These marinated chicken tenders bake up juicy and full of flavor. No need to fry when the marinade locks in all that goodness. Quick, easy, and healthy to boot—this one’s perfect for weeknight dinners that don’t skimp on taste.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Marinated Chicken Tenders
Hawaiian Grilled Ribeye
A pineapple-soy marinade takes this ribeye to steakhouse levels. Let the flavors soak in, then fire up the grill for a dinner that feels restaurant-worthy without leaving home. You’ll want to make this one again and again.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Grilled Ribeye
Easy Marinated Pork Chops
Simple pantry ingredients come together in this quick marinade to make pork chops that are anything but ordinary. Whether you grill or bake, you’ll get flavorful, juicy results every time. It’s a dinner you can count on when you’re short on time but big on taste.
Get the Recipe: Easy Marinated Pork Chops
Best Butter Chicken Recipe Ever
Marinated chicken, creamy sauce, and just the right amount of spices make this butter chicken a must-try. The marinade locks in all the flavor, and the rich sauce brings it home. Warm naan is a must for mopping up all that goodness.
Get the Recipe: Best Butter Chicken Recipe Ever
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
These marinated drumsticks come out of the air fryer tender, juicy, and loaded with flavor. Sweet, savory, and just the right touch of smokiness—this is a recipe you’ll want on repeat for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Juiciest Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
Boneless chicken thighs marinated and air fried to juicy perfection. Fast, easy, and packed with flavor. Great for weeknights when you want dinner to be hassle-free but still impressive.
Get the Recipe: Juiciest Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
Lemongrass Roasted Salmon
This Thai-inspired lemongrass marinade brings a burst of flavor to salmon. Roast it low and slow, and you’ll end up with tender, flavorful fish that’s well worth the wait. Perfect for when you want something simple but packed with great taste.
Get the Recipe: Lemongrass Roasted Salmon
Lemon Chicken Recipe
Marinated in a sticky lemon sauce, this chicken recipe is perfect for those takeout cravings. Quick to cook and full of flavor, it’s a fast fix for nights when you need dinner in under 30 minutes but don’t want to sacrifice taste.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Recipe
Air Fryer Flank Steak
Flank steak gets a flavor boost from this quick marinade, making it tender and juicy in just minutes. The air fryer seals the deal, giving you a perfectly cooked steak without the hassle of firing up the grill.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Flank Steak
Slow Cooker Pork Loin
This pork loin slow cooks to buttery-soft perfection thanks to a simple marinade that infuses it with flavor. Throw it in the crockpot and let it cook low and slow for an easy, no-fuss dinner that’s worth the time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Loin
Crispy Baked Cornflake Chicken
Who needs fried chicken when you’ve got this crispy cornflake-coated version? Marinate the chicken for extra tenderness, then bake for a crunchy, flavorful dinner that’s healthier but just as good.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Cornflake Chicken
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
