Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken marinated in Greek yogurt with Mediterranean spices, then grilled or baked until juicy and flavorful.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
→ Marinade
02 - 1 cup Greek yogurt (whole milk or low-fat)
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
05 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Garnishes (optional)
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon zest until well combined.
02 - Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours, for optimal flavor absorption.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat or preheat oven to 425°F.
04 - Remove the chicken from marinade and let excess marinade drip off. Discard leftover marinade.
05 - Grill: Place chicken on grill, cook for 6-8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Oven: Place chicken on a lined baking sheet, bake 18-22 minutes or until cooked through.
06 - Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The yogurt marinade makes even lean chicken breasts impossibly juicy
- Five minutes of prep transforms into a dinner that feels restaurant special
- Leftovers taste even better the next day, if they make it that far
02 -
- Patting the chicken mostly dry before cooking helps it develop better color and crust
- Marinating past 12 hours can make the texture turn mushy and weird
03 -
- Chicken thighs work even better than breasts if you don't mind the extra cooking time
- A pinch of red pepper flakes in the marinade adds subtle warmth without overwhelming the other flavors