When should chicken be marinated?

The best practice for marinating chicken is to allow it to soak in a marinade for a sufficient amount of time to absorb flavors and enhance tenderness. Marinating chicken typically requires a minimum duration of at least a couple of hours but can be optimally done overnight for the best flavor penetration.

Choosing to marinate chicken that comes pre-marinated is valid, as it can provide additional flavor and can be convenient for cooking. However, it is important to remember that not all chicken products are pre-marinated, and those that are may have specific instructions regarding preparation.

In terms of when chicken should generally be marinated, options such as two hours or 24 hours highlight acceptable time frames for various recipes but emphasize that marinating should typically occur ahead of cooking to maximize flavor.

While marinating immediately before cooking could add some flavor, it usually does not provide enough time for the chicken to truly absorb the marinade's effects. Therefore, recognizing pre-marinated chicken as an option showcases its convenience and reflects the circumstances where marinating might not be necessary at all.