Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade Recipe – Hungarian Chef

Last Updated on October 9, 2023

Originating from the famous Chiavetta’s BBQ restaurant in New York, this marinade has been passed down for generations and is a beloved favorite among customers. Known for its bold and savory flavors, Chiavetta’s brand marinade adds a unique twist to traditional grilled chicken.

Chiavetta’s BBQ restaurant has been in business for over 50 years, serving up delicious grilled meats and their signature marinade that keeps customers coming back for more.

Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ or just want to jazz up your weeknight dinners, this Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade is the perfect choice. Follow this step-by-step guide to create a mouth-watering dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.

Chiavetta's Chicken Marinade Recipe

What is Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade? 

Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade is a flavorful blend of seasonings and sauces that brings a unique taste to grilled chicken. The key ingredients in this marinade are celery salt, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and sugar, which come together to create a tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavor profile.

The addition of white pepper and poultry seasoning adds depth and richness to the marinade, making it stand out from other chicken marinades. It’s perfect for all types of cuts of chicken and adds a great twist to your usual barbecue meals.

How Does It Taste Like?

One of the reasons why you’ll love this Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade is its bold and unique flavor profile. The combination of tangy vinegar, savory garlic, and sweet sugar creates a delicious harmony in your taste buds.

The addition of pepper and seasoning adds depth and complexity to the marinade, making it stand out from other chicken marinades. The end result is a well-balanced and flavorful chicken that will be the star of any meal.

Not only does this marinade taste delicious, but it also adds moisture and tenderness to your grilled chicken. The blend of oils and seasonings creates a juicy and succulent chicken that is sure to impress your family and friends.

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Ingredients 

  • Celery Salt: Celery salt is a blend of two common seasonings – celery seed and salt. It adds a depth of flavor to this marinade that you won’t get from regular table salt.
  • Worcestershire sauce: This tangy and savory sauce is made from a blend of vinegar, molasses, anchovies, garlic, onions, tamarind extract, and other seasonings. It adds a complex and bold flavor to this marinade.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: This vinegar is made from fermented apple juice and adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the marinade.
  • Chicken Breast: Boneless and skinless chicken breasts are mostly used in this, but you can use any cut of chicken that you prefer. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a pungent and savory taste to this marinade.
  • Salt: Salt helps balance out the flavors in this marinade and also helps tenderize the chicken.
  • Sugar: Adding a bit of sugar helps balance out the tanginess from the vinegar and Worcestershire sauce in this marinade.
  • Poultry seasoning: This blend of dried herbs and spices is essential in adding a savory and rich flavor to this Chiavetta marinade.
  • White pepper: White pepper has a milder taste compared to black pepper but still adds a bit of heat and depth of flavor to the marinade.
  • Black Pepper: Black pepper adds spiciness to this marinade and pairs well with the other seasonings.
  • Vegetable oil or avocado oil: These neutral-flavored oils are used to help bind all the seasonings together and also help add a bit of moisture to the chicken when grilling.
Chiavetta's Chicken Marinade

Step by Step Directions 

Step 1

Prepare the Marinade

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except for the chicken.
  • Whisk together until well combined.

Step 2

Marinate the Chicken

  • Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a large resealable bag.
  • Pour the marinade over the chicken and make sure every piece is coated evenly with it.
  • Cover the dish or seal the bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.

Step 3

Grill the Chicken

  • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any excess marinade.
  • Grill the chicken for about 8-10 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 4

Let it Rest

  • Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
  • This helps the juices distribute evenly and keeps the chicken moist.

Tips 

  • For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, but overnight is preferred. This allows the flavors to fully develop and infuse into the chicken.
  • Make sure your grill is preheated to medium-high heat before placing the chicken on it. This ensures even cooking and prevents the chicken from sticking to the grates.
  • You can also bake the chicken in the marinade in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through.
Chiavetta's Chicken Marinade

Nutrition Information 

How to store Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade?

Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade can be stored in an airtight container or resealable bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week after making it. If you have any leftovers, simply pour the marinade into the container with the chicken and cover it tightly before storing it in the fridge.

To save time, you can also make a big batch of this marinade and freeze it for later use. Simply pour the marinade into a resealable bag, add the chicken, and freeze it. When ready to use, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before grilling or baking the chicken.

What other substitute can I use in Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade? 

Here are some common substitutions you can use in Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade:

  • Soy sauce or coconut aminos instead of Worcestershire sauce.
  • Lemon juice or rice vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.
  • Brown sugar or honey instead of regular sugar.
  • Olive oil, canola oil, or melted butter instead of vegetable oil.
Chiavetta's Chicken Marinade

Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade Recipe

Originating from the famous Chiavetta’s BBQ restaurant in New York, this marinade has been passed down for generations and is a beloved favorite among customers.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Rest Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade Recipe
Calories: 284kcal

Equipment

  • Grill
  • mixing bowl & whisker

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp celery salt
  • 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 4- pound chicken breast boneless and skinless
  • 4 cloves garlic crushed
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 6 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 8 tbsp vegetable oil or avocado oil

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients except for the chicken in a large mixing bowl and whisk together until well combined.
  • Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and ensure each piece is evenly coated. Cover or seal and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
  • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any excess liquid. Grill the chicken for approximately 8-10 minutes on each side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to be distributed evenly, keeping the chicken tender and moist.

Notes

  • For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, but overnight is preferred. This allows the flavors to fully develop and infuse into the chicken.
  • Make sure your grill is preheated to medium-high heat before placing the chicken on it. This ensures even cooking and prevents the chicken from sticking to the grates.
  • You can also bake the chicken in the marinade in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through.

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

FAQs

Is this safe to consume for pregnant women?

Yes, this marinade is safe to consume for pregnant women. However, it’s always best to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before making any dietary changes during pregnancy.

Can I use this marinade for other types of meat?

Absolutely! This marinade works well with pork, beef, and even seafood. Simply adjust the cooking time accordingly depending on the type of meat you’re using.

Is this gluten-free?

Yes, this Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce substitutes if needed. Always check the labels of your ingredients to make sure they are gluten-free.

How spicy is this marinade?

This marinade is not very spicy, but you can adjust the amount of black pepper and white pepper according to your preference for spiciness.

Can I use bone-in chicken?

Yes, you can use bone-in chicken for this. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as bone-in chicken takes longer to cook than boneless chicken. You can also use this marinade for whole chickens or even chicken wings.

Conclusion

Thank you for trying out this delicious Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade! This versatile and flavorful marinade is perfect for grilling season and can be used for a variety of meats.

Please share this article with your family and friends so they can also make this delicious marinade. And don’t forget to leave us a comment below letting us know how it turned out for you!

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Author Profile
Rebecca Novak, Registered Dietitian & Chef

Rebecca Novak is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience in the food industry. She has worked in both fine dining and casual Hungarian restaurants and specializes in creating dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. She also loves exploring different cuisines worldwide, which allows her to bring unique flavors and ideas to the recipes she creates for Hungarianchef.com. Read more

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