Quick Answer
It’s generally not recommended to marinate vegetables and chicken together, as this can lead to cross-contamination and increase the risk of foodborne illness. The safest option is to marinate them separately.
Marinating Chicken Safely
When marinating raw chicken, it’s important to follow food safety guidelines to avoid contamination:
- Use a non-reactive container like glass or stainless steel.
- Marinate chicken in the refrigerator at 40°F or below.
- Don’t reuse marinade from raw chicken, as it contains bacteria.
- Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any bacteria.
Marinades are acidic, which helps tenderize chicken. But the acidic environment also allows salmonella and other bacteria to survive. If you marinate veggies in the same marinade, those bacteria can spread.
Is it Ever Okay to Marinate Chicken and Veggies Together?
It’s best practice to avoid mixing chicken and veggies in one marinade. However, if you insist on marinating them together, here are some precautions to reduce risk:
- Use separate marinades, then combine into one dish afterwards.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for no more than 30 minutes.
- Marinate firm, non-porous veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Don’t marinate veggies that will absorb liquid like tomatoes or mushrooms.
- Cook the chicken thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature.
Even with these precautions, you’re taking a chance with food safety. It’s much safer to marinate chicken and veggies separately.
Marinating Vegetables
Marinating vegetables can add great flavor. Here are some tips for safe veggie marinating:
- Use non-porous veggies like carrots, peppers, green beans, or broccoli.
- Avoid porous veggies like tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions.
- Marinate in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
- Discard marinade after use.
- Wash all vegetables before and after marinating.
An acidic marinade works well for tougher veggies like carrots or cauliflower. Herb-infused olive oil makes a simple marinade too.
Safe Marinade Substitutes
If you want to flavor chicken and veggies together, safer alternatives include:
- Dry spice rubs on chicken and vegetables
- Glazes or sauces applied after cooking chicken
- Vinaigrettes as a finishing drizzle
- Compound butters with herbs
You can also marinate chicken and veggies separately, but combine them for grilling or roasting. Apply glazes and sauces at the end after chicken is cooked.
Serving Marinated Chicken and Veggies
When serving a meal with marinated chicken and veggies, be sure to:
- Use clean utensils and plates for chicken and veggies
- Wash hands and surfaces after handling raw chicken
- Store leftovers separately in the refrigerator
- Reheat fully to 165°F before serving again
Follow these steps, and your beautiful marinated chicken and veggies can be a safe, delicious meal.
Conclusion
While it’s possible to marinate vegetables and chicken together, it comes with significant risk of bacterial cross-contamination. For food safety, it’s best to marinate them separately. Use non-porous vegetables, marinate in the fridge no more than 30 minutes, and cook chicken thoroughly. Even better, flavor them separately and combine when cooking or serving. With some care, you can safely enjoy both marinated chicken and vegetables.