Greek Chicken with Yogurt Marinade

Name: Greek Chicken with Yogurt Marinade
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breasts; 3 tablespoons avocado oil (divided); 1 cup full fat plain greek yogurt; ½ cup chopped parsley or cilantro ((optional)); 3 garlic cloves (minced); 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes ((or to taste))

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Greek Chicken with Yogurt Marinade is not only incredibly delicious but also ridiculously easy to whip up. With a zesty marinade featuring creamy Greek yogurt and a burst of Mediterranean flavors, this chicken recipe is simply delish! It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you crave something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

Love cooking options? This recipe is perfect for pan-searing, grilling, or baking in the oven!

A slice pan fried greek chicken breast on a white plate with a slice of lemon.

Why our Greek Chicken Marinade recipe

Quick and Easy Dinner: Greek chicken is a quick and easy entre that only takes 30 minutes to marinate and about 10 minutes to cook. It’s an excellent weeknight meal made with simple ingredients that the whole family will love!
Clean and Refreshing Flavor: The tangy Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and fresh herbs give the tender chicken breasts a clean and bright flavor.
Versatile Main Dish: Serve this chicken dish with potatoes, rice, pasta, or a mix of your favorite vegetables. You really can’t go wrong!

If you are tired of the same old chicken recipe, you are not the only one. In fact, my friend’s husband always responds to “chicken for dinner” with “Want to go out tonight?” So, now, if she wants to go out to dinner, she says she is making chicken for dinner. –Genius!

You won’t have to worry about bland chicken or “just another chicken dish” when you make this recipe. Greek cuisine is known for its rich flavors, vibrant colors, and fresh ingredients. Then, if you’re craving more Greek-inspired recipes, like this flavorful chicken, try my Greek Potato Salad and Chopped Greek Salad. You will be glad you did!

Ingredient Notes

Labeled ingredients needed to make greek chicken made with yogurt marinade.

Chicken: Choose quality, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the best results. Trim the chicken breasts of any pieces of fat or extra tendrils, and pat dry before adding to the marinade.
Oil: Saute the chicken in avocado oil or another mild-tasting oil, like olive oil or your favorite.
Yogurt: Full-fat plain Greek yogurt helps tenderize the chicken breast, slowly breaking down the proteins.
Parsley or Cilantro: Parsley is a typical fresh herb used in Greek cooking and brings freshness to the chicken; I also love to use chopped cilantro.
Garlic: Add subtle spice with 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced.
Lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens the marinade flavor.
Greek seasoning: Combine ground cumin, oregano, coarse kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes for a Greek-inspired blend of herbs and spices.

Variations and Substitutions

Add Lemon Zest: Add fresh lemon zest as a garnish or in the marinade for a refreshing citrus flavor.
Dill Lovers? You can add a bit of fresh dill for another flavor component.
Swap the chicken breasts with boneless skinless chicken thighs or use chicken tenderloins. Really, any of your favorite pieces will work; you will need to adjust cook time accordingly. It’s also, delicious on Greek chicken kabobs skewers, too!
Skin-on or Skinless: This chicken marinade works equally well with skin-on or skinless chicken.
Fried Greek Chicken: Add a crunch with delicious breading. Marinate the chicken as instructed, coat it in an egg-and-flour mixture, fry, and dig in!

How To Make Yogurt-Marinated Chicken

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 | Marinate the chicken

Measure out all the spices and chop your parsley. Then, dive right in by adding all the marinade ingredients to a large bowl and give it all a good stir until the ingredients are all mixed in.

Spices and greek yogurt added to a bowl to make a marinade.

Then, add the chicken to the bowl, toss until it is fully coated, and cover it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. If preferred, you can leave it to chill for up to 3 hours.

Chicken placed in a bowl and tossed greek yogurt marinade.

Step 2 | Saute the chicken in oil

Next, add 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat in a large skillet. After about 2-3 minutes, the oil should be hot. Then, add the marinated chicken to the skillet and cook it for about 5 minutes.

Flip the chicken and continue cooking for another 4-7 minutes, or until the juices run clear and you reach an internal temperature of 165℉.

Step 3 | Rest, garnish, serve!

Finally, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes and sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro to complete this easy recipe. Then, serve and enjoy!

Chicken in a cast iron enamel pan cooked and topped with cilantro.

Tips

Do Not Over-Marinate– While it may be tempting to let the flavors meld, do not leave the chicken marinating for longer than 3 hours. The Greek yogurt tenderizes the meat by slowly breaking down proteins as it marinates. If left for too long, the meat can become mushy.
Use the Marinade as a Sauce– Make a double batch and save the extra marinade to serve on the side as a dipping sauce or drizzle it on top of the cooked chicken. Make sure you set aside any of the marinade you want to use as a dip or sauce; don’t place the chicken in it so that it is safe for consumption.
The Marinade also makes a great salad dressing! Add the chicken to your favorite salad greens and crumble a little feta cheese on top– delish!
Cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts.
Use a digital meat thermometer to be sure that the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165℉ and is fully cooked.

Grilled Greek Chicken

To grill this Greek chicken recipe, preheat the outdoor grill to 450 degrees F or medium-high heat. Next, brush the grates with oil and cook the chicken for 8-10 minutes, flipping them once halfway. Let the chicken rest once it is fully cooked, then enjoy!

Baked Greek Chicken Recipe

Bake the marinated chicken in an oven preheated to 425 degrees on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 18 to 22 minutes. Let it rest and serve!

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Recipe FAQs

What does marinating chicken in Greek yogurt do?

The Greek yogurt slowly tenderizes the chicken, giving you juicier results. Other acidic marinades work quickly and can over-tenderize the meat, while Greek yogurt is gentler and produces delicious results.

Do you rinse off yogurt marinade before cooking?

No. You should allow some of the excess yogurt mixture to drip from the chicken, then add it to the skillet, discarding the leftover marinade.

Can I use plain yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?

You can use regular yogurt for this marinade if necessary. However, the tanginess of Greek yogurt is certainly preferred for this Greek chicken breast recipe.

A fork picking up a slice of greek chicken showing the juicy inside of the bite.

Storage

You can save leftover Greek chicken after it cools to room temperature by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Then, reheat the dish by heating it in the microwave, baking it at 300 degrees, or sauteing it for just a few minutes until warmed through.

What to Serve with Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade with Lemon and Garlic

I like to serve this easy Greek chicken recipe with side dishes that are just as fresh and delicious, like my Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad, family-style Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad, or this Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad tossed in a bright lemon herb dressing.

More Main Entre Chicken Recipes

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