Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade with Lemon and Garlic (2024)

Table of Contents show

More Seasoning Ideas & Substitutions

• Chicken: Though I prepare this recipe with boneless skinless chicken thighs, you can use any type of chicken you prefer (though cooking time may vary). Whole chicken, boneless skinless chicken breasts, and bone-in chicken thighs with skin are all delicious options.
• Yogurt: I used whole Greek yogurt to make my chicken yogurt marinade. However, any plain whole milk yogurt would work to make this authentic Greek marinade for chicken.
• Seasoning: Want to give the Greek seasoning in my chicken marinade even more flavor? Take your marinade seasoning to the next level by adding spices like sumac, red pepper flakes, Aleppo pepper, coriander, smoked paprika, and chili powder. For earthy undertones, you can also add dried herbs, like dill, basil, and thyme.
• Garlic: I prefer using fresh garlic in this recipe, but in a pinch, you can substitute it with a teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Fresh herbs: If you want to infuse your Mediterranean marinade for chicken with garden-fresh flavor, fresh herbs are the way to go. Fresh oregano, fresh dill and fresh mint will also brighten every bite of this chicken dish.

What to Serve it with

What I love most about this Yogurt Marinated Greek Chicken is that it pairs well with so many dishes making it ideal for a delicious chicken meal any night of the week. Below are a few suggestions to help you build a menu around it:

• With more yogurt: If I am roasting it in the oven during the cooler months, I like to drizzle it with one of my yogurt sauces. In my opinion, nothing pairs better with baked yogurt marinated chicken than a Mediterranean sauce. Drizzle it with tangy Dill Yogurt Sauce, or serve it with my light Tzatziki Sauce on the side. Your tastebuds will thank you!
• Salads on the side: During the BBQ season, I serve my grilled Greek chicken thighs with one of my crisp and colorful Fresh Summer Salads. Or, you can also serve it alongside a garden-fresh Spring Mix Salad, Greek Salad, or Butter Lettuce Salad for a simple and wholesome weekday dinner any night of the year.
• With flavorful grains: This authentic Greek chicken recipe is a hit on its own, but it becomes a five-star meal when served alongside flavor-packed sides, like Wild Rice Pilaf, Lemon Quinoa, and Bulgur Pilaf. Or, spotlight the flavor of your yogurt cumin chicken by serving it with a basic whole grain. Quinoa, Bulgur, and Wild Rice are some of my favorites.
• Alongside vegetable side dishes: Balance the zesty taste of Greek yogurt chicken breast marinade with a hearty veggie side. Roasted Portobello Mushrooms, Baked Shiitake Mushrooms, and Eggplant Involtini complement chicken with a bold yet tender flavor. Baked Eggplant Slices, Roasted Asparagus, and Garlic Butter Green Beans are the way to go for quintessential classics.

Expert Tips

You don’t have to be a master chef to prepare this Greek Chicken Yogurt Marinade. Here are a few foolproof tips to help you succeed on your first try:

• Use the marinade as a sauce: Equal parts versatile and flavorful, my healthy Greek chicken marinade doubles as a sauce. Just be sure to use fresh marinade—not the marinade with which you soaked raw chicken.
• Discard leftover chicken marinade: Be sure to discard any used marinade to prevent any food-borne illnesses caused by using raw poultry.
• Pound the chicken breasts: If you are using chicken breasts, I recommend pounding them to an even thickness before cooking. Doing so will ensure that they are cooked evenly throughout, leaving you with perfectly cooked yogurt marinated chicken breasts.
• Brush grilled chicken with oil: If your Greek BBQ chicken dries out during the grilling process, feel free to brush it with a light layer of olive oil to restore its moisture.
• Cooking time may vary: Depending on the thickness of your chicken, it may require more or less cooking time. To test your chicken’s doneness, the best thing to do is to use a digital thermometer, such as Thermapen One (affiliate). Simply insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. It should be safely cooked and ready to eat when it reaches 165 degrees F.
• Let the chicken rest: To keep your Greek chicken as succulent and flavorful as possible, let them rest for a few minutes before slicing. This resting time allows the chicken to reabsorb and redistribute its juices, ensuring that every bite explodes with flavor.

What is Greek chicken?

Greek chicken is chicken prepared using classic Greek flavors. Fresh herbs, yogurt, lemon, and olive oil are signature ingredients in Greek marinade for chicken with yogurt.

What does marinating chicken in yogurt do?

When added to a marinade, the lactic acid in yogurt gently tenderizes the meat without making it tough—something vinegar- and citrus-based marinades tend to do. As a result, marinating chicken thighs in yogurt gives them a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

How to season Greek chicken?

To season Grecian chicken, I first suggest marinating your meat in a mixture that contains both acid and fat (for example, marinating chicken in greek yogurt, olive oil, and lemon juice). Then, add common Greek seasonings like onion powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, and paprika. Finally, sprinkle your chicken with fresh herbs, such as parsley, mint and/or dill, and cook as desired.

How long to marinate chicken in yogurt?

I suggest marinating your chicken breast in greek yogurt for a minimum of four hours and a maximum of twelve hours.

Can I marinate chicken in yogurt overnight?

Yes—I even recommend it! Letting the mixture sit overnight ensures your chicken absorbs the marinade’s flavor and tenderizes properly.

Can you fry chicken marinated in yogurt?

Yes, you can fry your marinated chicken. However, I suggest scraping off any excess lemon oregano marinade and coating your chicken in an egg-and-flour mixture before frying to make your meat extra crispy.

Do you rinse off yogurt marinade?

You don’t need to wash off your Greek chicken marinade with yogurt, but I suggest scraping off any excess to make the cooking process cleaner and easier.

Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade Recipe

Yields: 4 servings

This Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade recipe is all you need for juicy, tangy, perfectly seasoned chicken with a Mediterranean flair. Whether you decide to cook this delicious chicken on the grill, in the oven, or on the stove, it's always bound to impress. Serve it alone or with a tasty side dish for a simple, satisfying, and healthy meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 757mg | Potassium: 587mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 938IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 3mg