Preparation guide
How long can you marinate chicken?
USDA chicken guidance allows up to 2 days of refrigerated marinating, not room-temperature marinating.
U.S. home food-safety guidance.Check the source and scope
What to do
- Set a covered, leak-proof container in the refrigerator at 40°F or below and record when marinating started.
- Keep utensils and surfaces that touched raw chicken separate from ready-to-eat food.
- Discard used raw marinade; if it will be brushed onto cooked chicken, bring it to a full boil first.
Conditions and limits
- Acidic ingredients and a pleasant smell do not make unsafe time or temperature handling safe.
- Cook chicken itself to 165°F internally.
Source and scope
Primary reference: USDA FSIS Chicken from Farm to Table. Equipment-specific steps and quality suggestions are practical guidance; check the appliance or product instructions for your model. How this site uses sources.