If you’re in a rush—like, I’m about to order takeout level of rush—fifteen minutes is totally fine. Seriously. I’ve done it. You just need a marinade with a good punch of acid, like lemon juice or vinegar, plus salt. The salt starts working immediately, drawing flavor into the outer layers. It won’t penetrate to the bone, but you’ll get a zesty, seasoned crust that makes the chicken taste like you actually put in effort.
Well, that’s what I tell myself when I’m scrambling to get dinner on the table. And guess what? It works. Even 15 minutes beats zero minutes, so don’t skip it just because you’re short on time. Your taste buds will thank you—your pride, less so, but we don’t talk about that.
