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After prepping 28 slow cooker freezer meals with my mom I decided to freeze some meals for the grill too.  Chicken breasts were BOGO at the grocery store, so I bought 10 pounds, marinated it, and froze it for the grill.  Now we’re stocked for the summer!

10 Freezer to Grill Marinated Chicken Packs in 20 Minutes

The best part was that these marinated chicken packs were so easy to make.  It took me all of 20 minutes to combine the chicken and marinades in freezer bags and pop them in my freezer.  Now all we have to do is thaw them and put them on the grill.

I already had extra virgin olive oil and seasonings on-hand, so I only spent $32 on ingredients!  That includes 10 pounds of chicken, quart-sized freezer bags, and fresh cilantro and lime for one of the marinades.

10 Freezer to Grill Marinated Chicken Packs in 20 Minutes

To each freezer bag I added:

  1. One pound boneless chicken breasts
  2. 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  3. One tablespoon dried herbs and seasonings

10 Freezer to Grill Marinated Chicken Packs in 20 Minutes

(I use these baggy holders to keep my bags upright while filling.)

I thought about making all of my spice mixes from scratch, but decided to save time with these pre-made spice mixes in my spice cabinet:

10 Freezer to Grill Marinated Chicken Packs in 20 Minutes

Then, I got a little more creative with these two:

  • Honey Garlic Chicken Marinade – 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper
  • Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade – 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, the zest of one lime (I read that the juice gives the outside of the chicken a tougher texture), and a pinch of salt and pepper

(Both were added to their own quart-sized freezer bag with a pound of chicken breasts and 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.)

10 Freezer to Grill Marinated Chicken Packs in 20 Minutes

I think these homemade combos would also be delicious:

  • The zest of one lemon, 1 tablespoon freshly chopped rosemary leaves, and 3 cloves of minced garlic
  • The zest of one lemon and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1.5 teaspoons paprika plus 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
  • One teaspoon of each: chili powder, paprika, and cinnamon (or cumin)
  • One teaspoon of each: onion powder, garlic powder, and parsley flakes

Simply add to a freezer bag with one pound of chicken breasts, 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt.

10 Freezer to Grill Marinated Chicken Packs in 20 Minutes

Freezer meals last in a standard fridge/freezer combo for three months so now we’re set for the summer.  Serve with a big salad or steamed broccoli with rice and dinner is done.

My plan is to thaw the chicken freezer packs in the refrigerator overnight or in a pan of water before cooking.  Then they only need to be grilled for 6-8 minutes.  So easy!

10 Freezer to Grill Marinated Chicken Packs in 20 Minutes

If you’ve never prepped and frozen meals raw before, prepare to be amazed.  There’s no easier way to make cost-effective and delicious meals.  You can find tons of tips and recipes in my “no-cook” freezer cookbooks.

Thoughts or questions?  Please leave a comment below.  I’d love to hear from you. 

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Barb@livingrichlyinretirement

Hey, I love this idea. I’m just wondering, do you bother to flatten or pound the breasts at all before you put them in the bags?

Elise
Elise
8 years ago
Reply to  Kelly McNelis

Or if you have the 1 pound chicken breasts you could just cut it into 3 or 4 pieces (that’s what I do when I purchase the larger chicken breasts)

Marea
Marea
8 years ago

Hi quick question, have you found this method to work well? I am researching new methods of cooking and through some google searching found that chicken should not be marinaded longer than 2 days? Have you cooked the frozen chicken? Did it work well?

Also, I cook for one, any recommendations? Should I just freeze enough for one meal for use portions and keep the rest frozen?

Thanks!

Shakti
Shakti
7 years ago
Reply to  Kelly McNelis

I think the danger of a long marinade is particularly true of acidic marinades. Because Kelly’s recipes here use only oil, herbs and seasonings, including citrus zest but not juice, they work. I think when the marinade is acidic the time freezing and thawing (and maybe in the freezer too?) can negatively affect the texture of the meat.

Angi
Angi
8 years ago
Reply to  Marea

I have made chicken, pork and shrimp freezer meals with marinade for years. They always turn out amazing. The marinade starts working on the chicken but stops as soon as it starts to freeze. As it thaws it starts working again. Dive in.

carina garcia
carina garcia
6 years ago
Reply to  Angi

So does that mean these same marinades can work with any protein?

Patty Briant Elliott
Patty Briant Elliott
8 years ago
Reply to  Marea

I have had no problem cooking these frozen chicken, make ahead meals.
Freezing rather stops the margination process, but when you thaw them, it starts to marinate again.
Patty

Lisa B
Lisa B
8 years ago
Reply to  Marea

That caution applies if your marinade contains acid, like lemon juice or vinegar.
Over-marinading, in that case, will break down the chicken and cause it to become mushy. Overnight thawing of frozen marinaded chicken in the fridge or quick thawing in COLD water shouldn’t cause any problems.

rhona
rhona
7 years ago
Reply to  Lisa B

thank you for explaining. thats really helpful. x

Julie
Julie
1 year ago
Reply to  Marea

I use this method all the time! We take it out of the freezer the night before and thaw overnight in the fridge. Sometimes it isn’t all the way thawed so I put the bag in cold water and finish the thaw. Most of the time we have really enjoyed it! Sometimes we haven’t liked the “stewed” chicken textures of SE of the crock pot and instant pot recipes.

Maria
8 years ago

I order my chicken from the butcher a few different ways including thin sliced and cut for kabobs. When I want buffalo style I order the chicken for kabobs and marinate only for an hour in hot sauce. I put the chicken on the skewers then grill up real quick. After they are finished I out all the skewered chicken on a platter and ten dice up carrots and celery and load the veggies on top of the chicken. Lastly I pour blue cheese dressing on top of everything and serve.

Frankie
Frankie
7 years ago

I have a meat tenderizer that I bought from QVC that pokes holes in the meat. It is great for marinating. All the seasonings are throughout the meat when done. Awesome!

Tracey Desrochers
Tracey Desrochers
7 years ago
Reply to  Frankie

I bought the same one and love it even for my rubs! May try my rubs this way too.

fedeRica
fedeRica
8 years ago

i really really love your blog and this kind of post! you changed my cooking life!! now i work till 6 pm and i found i way to have almost always a good dinner! . we are italien so 2-3 times at week i made pasta but for the other night your recipes are so good!! nowi have in my crockpot the apricot ginger chicken!! bye fede

Karis
8 years ago

Two questions:
1. Cuts of chicken: I notice all your recipes calling for chicken use boneless breasts only. Have you used other chicken cuts – boneless tenderloins, boneless thighs? Are there any points to consider if changing out the type of chicken?

2. meat portions: When you set aside one pound of boneless breasts, how many people do you plan for one pound to serve? what is the rule of thumb for amount of meat per adult being served?

Shannon
Shannon
8 years ago
Reply to  Kelly McNelis

I love the idea. I am not very organized. With the kids going back to school everyone is always on a different schedule. When I read the portion of 1lb of meat I was thinking hmmmm…so I was reading through your comments for your thoughts on portions. No wonder my grocery bill is so high. We need at least 3 to 4 lbs of chicken for a family of 5!
We don’t each very many carbs so the sides are likely a salad or fruits.

Diana
Diana
7 years ago
Reply to  Shannon

Shannon, you are not alone! I always cook 3-4lbs of protein for our family of five (two adults, 2 teens and a growing 7yo). We are also a lower carb intake family as well.

Linda Fassnacht
Linda Fassnacht
7 years ago
Reply to  Kelly McNelis

Karis,
I asked Kelly about the boneless skinless thighs last year. They work great in all her recipes! We buy them through Zaycon and they are amazing. They are so large that I only use 2 – 3 per recipe for a family of 4!

kathyet
kathyet
7 years ago

I am getting some turkey from zaycon Fresh this week do you like their meats???? I am a little nervouse buying from them your the first person I have heard that uses them//

Kimela
Kimela
6 years ago
Reply to  kathyet

I ❤️ Zaycon. Buying from them a year at least

Liz
Liz
8 years ago

Not sure I know what pre-made spice mixes for -BBQ and •Spinach and Herb
Can you clarify what you have in the pre made spice mixes for them
thanks

Ashley Tatum
Ashley Tatum
8 years ago
Reply to  Liz

Head country makes a dry seasoning that is amazing.

Gladys
Gladys
8 years ago
Reply to  Ashley Tatum

Ashley, where do you buy this seasoning from and is there a special kind? Thanks

Terri
Terri
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashley Tatum

My husbands favorite is Head Country. He smokes pork butts. He covers the pork butt in mustard then applies a heavy dose of Head Country all over. He does this the night before he puts them on the smoker. It is amazing. You can buy HC at the hardware store, online, Wal-mart but not sure about grocery stores. He smokes with Lump Charcoal.

Shelly
Shelly
8 years ago

My family prefers smaller portions rather than the whole chicken breast. I usually take my kitchen shears and cut the large breast into two or three smaller portions. Grilling time is also less!

Helen
Helen
8 years ago

Hi Kelly,
Thanks for all the good ideas you share with everyone! We’re doing a lot of grilling at the moment, and I usually marinate the meat in the morning or day before. However, I’ve never tried the frozen method. My question is whether the meat actually marinates while it is in the freezer, possibly a dumb question LOL, or does it marinate whilst defrosting?
Many thanks
Helen