Greek Chicken Marinade
User Reviews
5
Greek Chicken Marinade
Description
The marinade combines extra-virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to create a bright and herbaceous mixture. Piercing the chicken breasts before marinating allows the flavors to penetrate more deeply. Marinating for at least one hour, ideally four to five hours, ensures tenderness and flavor saturation.
Grilling over medium heat, the chicken cooks about 5-6 minutes per side until reaching an internal temperature of 165°F, which preserves moisture. Resting the cooked chicken before slicing helps retain juices, and drizzling extra olive oil before serving adds richness.
This marinade works with various chicken cuts including breasts, thighs, tenders, or thinly sliced chicken, accommodating different cooking times. The fresh lemon juice also tenderizes the meat by breaking down fibers, which contributes to a tender texture overall.
Adding honey gives a slight sweetness that balances the savory and acidic components, and Greek yogurt adds creaminess, which can keep the chicken especially moist.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast about 4 breasts
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice from 2 lemons, fresh
- 5 garlic finely minced, cloves
- 1 Tablespoon oregano dried
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Optional:
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
Instructions
- In a bowl, stir together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. If adding greek yogurt and honey, add it to the bowl and whisk.
- Pierce chicken breasts with a fork all over. Place in a large Ziploc bag. Pour marinade over the chicken. Let marinate for at least 60 minutes but 4 - 5 hours is ideal.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat. Carefully brush the grill with oil to prevent sticking. Place chicken on the grill. Cook for approximately 5 - 6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees. I suggest buying a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5-10 minutes to keep the juices inside the chicken. Drizzle with more extra virgin olive oil and cut into slices.
Notes
- Fresh lemon juice helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down its fibers for a more tender texture.
- Use any chicken cut like breasts, thighs, or tenders; thinner pieces will cook faster.
- Adding honey provides balanced sweetness; Greek yogurt adds creaminess and extra moisture.
- Rest the chicken 5-10 minutes after grilling to keep it juicy before slicing.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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