
5.0 from 108 votes
Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade Recipe
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.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Resting Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 341 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup fresh Italian parsley roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt more for seasoning at the last minute
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ lb. skinless boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast* - read note
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to brush grill grates
Instructions
- Place yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, onion powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, parsley, and salt and pepper in a large bowl*1. Whisk until fully combined.
- Place chicken thighs in the bowl and make sure that they are fully submerged in the marinade.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight for up to 12 hours.
- When you are ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade onto a plate, making sure to scrape off any excess marinade. Season chicken pieces lightly with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper on each side. Discard the marinade.
Cup of Yum
To Cook on the Grill:
- Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat (450 degrees F).
- Clean grill grates and generously brush with vegetable oil.
- Grill chicken thighs for 8-10 minutes, turning once until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees when a thermometer is inserted in the thickest part of the meat.
- Transfer the now cooked chicken onto a plate, cover with aluminum foil and let it rest for 5-7 minutes before serving.
To Cook in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Place chicken thighs on the sheet and bake for 18-22 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the meat registers 165 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven and onto a plate. Cover with aluminum foil and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing and/or serving.
To Cook on the Stove
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet (10 or 12-inch cast iron skillet or a skillet grill is ideal) over medium-high heat.
- When it is simmering hot, place the chicken pieces in the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
- Cook, turning once until they are fully cooked, 10-12 minutes, or until a digital thermometer inserted in the center of a thigh registers 165 degrees F.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the skillet and onto a plate; cover with aluminum foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- *1 Alternatively, you can place everything in a plastic bag and seal it tightly for easy and quick clean-up.
- *2 If using boneless skinless chicken breasts, pound them one by one to flatten them out to an even thickness. Doing so will ensure that they will cook evenly throughout.
- : Place leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- : To reheat your chicken, heat it in the microwave until it reaches your desired temperature. You can also cook it in the oven at 300 degrees F. for 8-10 minutes.
- *1 Alternatively, you can place everything in a plastic bag and seal it tightly for easy and quick clean-up.
- *2 If using boneless skinless chicken breasts, pound them one by one to flatten them out to an even thickness. Doing so will ensure that they will cook evenly throughout.
- Store: Place leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- Reheat: To reheat your chicken, heat it in the microwave until it reaches your desired temperature. You can also cook it in the oven at 300 degrees F. for 8-10 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Calories
341kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
5g
(2%)
Protein
39g
(78%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
164mg
(55%)
Sodium
757mg
(32%)
Potassium
587mg
(17%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
938IU
(19%)
Vitamin C
17mg
(19%)
Calcium
103mg
(10%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 341
% Daily Value*
Calories | 341kcal | 17% |
Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
Protein | 39g | 78% |
Fat | 18g | 28% |
Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
Cholesterol | 164mg | 55% |
Sodium | 757mg | 32% |
Potassium | 587mg | 12% |
Fiber | 1g | 4% |
Sugar | 2g | 4% |
Vitamin A | 938IU | 19% |
Vitamin C | 17mg | 19% |
Calcium | 103mg | 10% |
Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.