This Paleo Chicken Marinade Recipe is a game changer for chicken prep. It is so easy to make and is Whole30-approved for those looking for more recipe options.

Nothing can beat fresh herbs, spices, and scotch bonnet peppers blended and soaked up by tender pieces of chicken.

It's great to have quick, healthy, and flavorful chicken recipes like jerk chicken wings, turmeric chicken thighs, or Curry Chicken Dumplings to make meal prepping easy.

This Paleo chicken marinade is a great option for weeknight dinners or for prepping during the week.

paleo chicken marinade in a jar with a silver spoon

Growing up with friends from all over the world, my tastebuds were introduced to a lot of different flavors. This marinade was inspired by mostly Caribbean flavor notes that are similar to jerk seasoning.

I know you will enjoy this healthy marinade recipe!

Why You'll Love This Recipe!

This marinade recipe is better than any bottled marinade you can find just based on the fact that it has a shelf life.

Fresh ingredients truly make the difference between good and great recipes.

Even if you don't have a spice tolerance, you can make it extra spicy or mild by tweaking how much pepper you add.

It is also cheaper to buy all the ingredients, make a huge batch, and freeze it for later.

This gives you way more freedom in controlling added sodium, which is hard to do with marinades off the shelf.

What is Paleo?

Paleo diets hold a special place in my heart. When I initially started my weight loss journey back in 2017, I followed the "Paleo Diet". It aligned pretty well with the meals I grew up with, and I only had to alter a few things here and there.

So what is Paleo? Without getting overly complicated, Paleo diets originate from the Paleolithic Era. This was about 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago.

The idea is that back then food wasn't readily available and accessible the way it is today. There were no supermarkets or Doordash.

Everything you wanted to eat needed to be hunted or gathered. There were no processed foods and people ate what the earth provided. Simple right?

This diet is just that. Eat only what was hunted or gathered. A modern Paleo diet consists of fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds. It doesn't include grains or dairy products which probably came about after farming techniques were invented.

Paleo is great for those who are trying to lose fat or maintain a healthy weight. It is also great for those who are watching their cardiovascular health.

The Mayo Clinic has a great article you can check out to learn more.

How Long Should You Marinate The Chicken?

It truly depends on how much time you have. If you are able to marinate the chicken overnight for 10-12 hours, that will yield the most flavorful result.

If you are pressed for time, 30-40 minutes will do the trick.

Ingredients for Spicy Paleo Chicken Marinade

scotch bonnet peppers. These peppers have a great sweetness to them and are perfect for marinades. You can use habanero peppers as well.
red onion.
sweet onion. It is a larger yellow onion. You can substitute for a yellow onion as well.
garlic. This recipe calls for 4-5 cloves.
scallion stalks. Rinse & cut the ends before putting them into the food processor.
fresh thyme. Fresh sprigs have more boldness and make a difference compared to dried thyme.
white vinegar. Just a little is used. Too much would make the marinade sour.
soy sauce. I used low-sodium soy sauce since I am adding salt.
brown coconut sugar. Substitute with brown sugar if you aren't doing a Paleo recipe.
salt. I used pink Himalayan salt, but any salt will do.
ground black pepper. Freshly ground.
fresh ginger. Roughly chopped is fine since it will be blended.
allspice seeds. Freshly ground seeds provide more aroma and flavor. Also known as pimento seeds
olive oil. Any neutral oil will work.
fresh lime juice. Squeeze half a lime.

ingredients for paleo chicken marinade on a white countertop

How to Make the Best Paleo Chicken Marinade

Prepare fresh ingredients by peeling, cleaning, or chopping what is necessary.
Place all the ingredients, both fresh and dry, into the food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes.
Consistency should be semi-smooth with no hidden large chunks.
Adjust salt to your preference.
Use right away on your favorite cut of chicken or transfer marinade into a jar or a container with a tight seal.

ingredients for paleo chicken marinade in a food processor

pureed ingredients for paleo chicken marinade in a food processor

Storage Instructions

Find a container with an airtight seal. A perfect solution would be a mason jar or a jar for storing jam.

The marinade will stay in the fridge for 3-5 days. If you don't plan on using it all, just pop it in the freezer and it will be ready for you in the future.