Best Greek Chicken Marinade

Why This Recipe Works

• Tender chicken: Yogurt acts as a natural tenderizer, making the chicken incredibly moist and juicy. We’ve previously used yogurt in marinades for whole roasted chicken, chicken gyro and shish tawook.
• Great flavors: This Greek marinade for chicken offer the combination of lemon juice, garlic and oregano which is hard to beat. We use the same combination to make chicken souvlaki as well.
• Bake, grill or sear: Just like our Mediterranean salmon marinade, this Greek marinade recipe can be used with different cooking methods. Once the chicken is marinated, you can bake it in the oven or sear it in a pan. If the weather allows, I recommend grilling it outdoors.
• Quick and easy: This Greek yogurt chicken marinade takes less than 5 minutes to prepare, but that’s not all. Even though you can marinate the chicken for up to 8 hours, it absorbs the flavors and is ready to be cooked after 30 minutes if you’re in a pinch.

Ingredients

• Lemon: You’ll be using both the zest and the juice of the lemon, so go with the best ones you can find. Bottled lemon juice won’t be as tasty for this recipe.
• Garlic: You need 4 to 6 cloves of garlic that should be minced or grated using a microplane.
• Spices: Use dried oregano, chili flakes, salt and pepper.
• Greek yogurt: Not only would the yogurt tenderize the chicken, but it would also add a subtle tangy flavor that goes well with the lemon and herbs.
• Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil works so well in this recipe. I don’t suggest using any other oil because the flavors won’t match.

Additions and Substitutions

• Spices: You can use some other spices such as smoked paprika or dried thyme.
• Herbs: Chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, dill or rosemary add a lot of flavor to the marinade.
• Yogurt: Greek yogurt works very well for marinating, however, you can use any other plain yogurt (including plant based) for this recipe.
• Acid: Instead of lemon juice, you can use red wine vinegar.

How to Make the Perfect Greek Chicken Marinade

1. Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large bowl.
2. Using a microplane, zest the lemon. Then cut the lemon in half and add the juice to the chicken as well.
3. Add in the minced garlic, oregano, chili flakes, salt and pepper.
4. Finally, add the Greek yogurt as well as olive oil and mix using a pair of tongs. Make sure the chicken is well coated with the marinade.
5. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes up to 8 hours.
6. Cook the marinade chicken using your favorite cooking method.

One Marinade, 3 Cooking Methods

What I love the most about this marinated Greek chicken recipe – besides being extremely easy and quick – is the consistency: it turns out perfectly every time. Here are 3 cooking methods you can choose from:

To Grill Marinated Chicken

• Preheat the grill to medium high and place the marinated chicken on the counter for it to come to room temperature.
• Once the grill is ready, place the chicken breasts on the grates and grill for 5 to 7 minutes on each side. The chicken is ready once the internal temperature registers at 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the chicken and it’s no longer pink inside.
• Let it sit for 2 to 4 minutes before slicing.

To Bake Marinated Chicken

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Take the chicken pieces our of the bowl using a pair of tongs and shake them to get rid of the excess marinade.
• Place the chicken on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until fully cooked.

To Pan Sear Marinated Chicken

• Heat a cast iron skillet or a heavy bottom pan over medium high heat. There is no need to add oil to the pan.
• Place the marinated chicken pieces in the pan and sear for 5 to 8 minutes on one side, undisturbed. Don’t move the chicken around so a nice crust can form.
• Flip and sear for 5 to 8 more minutes until it’s cooked completely.

Tips To Make The Best Marinated Chicken

1. Pound the chicken if needed: Make sure the chicken pieces are not too thick. If the chicken breast is too thick, slice it widthwise into 2 thinner pieces. You can also pound the chicken for even thickness.
2. Bring to room temperature: Bring the marinated chicken to room temperature before cooking. This will assure that the chicken cooks evenly and quickly.
3. Shake it off: When taking the chicken out of the marinade to cook, shake it off completely to get rid of the excess marinade. This would help you avoid flames when grilling.
4. Check for doneness: Use an instant read thermometer to make sure the chicken is fully cooked. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken and if it registers at 165 degrees F, it’s ready to serve.
5. Let the cooked chicken rest: To keep the chicken juicy, let the cooked chicken sit for 2 to 4 minutes before slicing This helps with locking in the juices.

Serving Suggestions

We love to enjoy this Greek marinade chicken with Greek lemon rice, Greek potatoes or Mediterranean salad. If you’re looking for a simple side salad to go with this dish, try classic Greek salad, or turn it into a wrap with freshly baked pita and some tzatziki.

Storage And Reheating

Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat using a microwave or in a pan over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions