Can I marinate chicken today for Sunday?

[Luv to Cook]

Hi All,

I am grilling chicken for Mother's Day on Sunday and was wondering if I could marinate it today. I am going to be out all day tomorrow and brunch is at noon on Sunday.

Thanks!

[csmcnamara]

I've had chicken that I have marinated in Italian dressing for a few days and it was fine. Actually it seemed to have more flavor and was more tender. Probably from the oil and vinegar from the dressing.

[Jewel]

I don't think there would be a problem, but if you're marinating in a big zippie bag make sure you get as much air out of the bag as you can before sealing to help keep it fresher. I've even sucked some of the air out of those bags with a straw! I wouldn't marinate for that long in a bowl with a lid, only because of the air trapped inside. Just my opinion! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[makedah]

luv -- I think it also depends on how fresh your chicken is, and how cold your fridge is. Personally, I wouldn't do it. I'm real squeamish about leaving food in the fridge.

[JennieL]

I wouldn't use a marinade with citrus or it will "cook".

[Deedy]

I would not do it. The chicken can turn to mush....

[funnybone]

I wouldn't do it for that long. Most recipes state to marinade for a few hours, overnight at the most. Can you not put it together on Sat. night??

[Grace]

I would totally do it. Just look at all those packages of pre-marinated meats (all kinds) in the grocery store.

To make Sauerbraten (typical German beef roast), it has to marinate for at least 3 days, and usually more like 5. So it shouldn't be a problem at all. Go for it.

[makedah]

I don't know... I have seen pork recipes that call for days of marinating, but I think chicken is a different story. Those bags of pre-marinated meat are also air-tight, aren't they? My main concern here is the chicken spoiling.

[Grace]

I think if the chicken was fresh enough that she thinks it will be good on Sunday, it would still be good on Sunday if she marinated it today or tomorrow. I can't see how the marinade would cause it to spoil faster...

[sneezles]

Have to agree with Grace! If the sell by date is at least Sunday or longer then it's not going to spoil if it's kept in the fridge! If it's put in a ziploc bag then it will be a better seal than the styro/plastic you buoght it in. And as for "cooking" the chicken is not near as delicate a fish so I don't think there is much chance for that.

[crazycook]

I would agree that the chicken will be fine for 36 hours or so in the refrigerator. A ziplock with as much air removed as possible sounds like a good idea as well. If you're concerned about the refrigerator being cold enough, place the ziplock over ice in a bowl. The ice should keep it cold enough.

[Luv to Cook]

Thanks for the replies everyone...I get weirded out about chicken and other meats! I am not going to be home tomorrow nite either, so I am thinking about marinating it early tomorrow morning. That way it would only marinate for one night.

Again, thanks!