5 from 10 votes
Zesty Greek Chicken Marinade Recipe + VIDEO
This Greek chicken marinade combines olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, herbs, and spices to infuse chicken breast or thighs with bright, savory, and slightly tangy flavors. Marinating the chicken tenderizes it and imparts an herbaceous aroma before grilling or baking produces juicy, flavorful meat.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Marinate Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings:
10
pieces
Calories:
465 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, Greek
Ingredients
- 3 - 4 pounds chicken breast or chicken thighs, boneless
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 lemon zested and juiced, plural
- 4 - 5 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon oregano dried
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
Instructions
- Set out a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In the dish, combine the olive oil, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, thyme, black pepper, and crushed red pepper, if using. Whisk well in the dish. Then place the chicken pieces in the marinade and flip to coat. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, and up to four hours. (Longer is better).
- When ready to cook, preheat the grill to medium heat, approximately 350°F to 400°F. When the grill is hot, grill the chicken for 5 minutes per side.
- To bake the chicken, preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and placed the chicken pieces on it, making sure they do not touch. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the thickest piece is cooked through.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This marinade works for bone-in chicken; grill bone-in pieces over medium heat for about 40 minutes, flipping once.
- Store the unused marinade in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Marinate chicken only up to 4 hours to avoid texture changes, then discard marinade after use.
- Let cooked chicken cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container; keep leftovers up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1pc
Calories
465kcal
(23%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
68g
(136%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Trans Fat
0.04g
(2%)
Cholesterol
203mg
(68%)
Sodium
836mg
(35%)
Potassium
1210mg
(26%)
Fiber
0.4g
(2%)
Sugar
0.2g
(0%)
Vitamin A
250IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
9mg
(10%)
Calcium
34mg
(3%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10 pieces
Amount Per Serving
Calories 465
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1pc | |
| Calories | 465kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 68g | 136% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 0.04g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 203mg | 68% |
| Sodium | 836mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 1210mg | 26% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 0.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 250IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 34mg | 3% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.