Juicy Greek Chicken with Lemon and Herb Marinade
Make incredibly juicy and flavorful Greek chicken using this easy yogurt and lemon marinade. This recipe is perfect for grilling, baking, or meal prepping for healthy chicken bowls.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling or Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese for topping
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and cinnamon to create the marinade.
- Place the chicken pieces into a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are fully coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably up to 8 hours, for the best flavor and juiciness.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- If grilling, lightly oil the grates. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and place on the hot grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- If baking, arrange the chicken in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.
- If using, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese before serving. Serve this lemon herb chicken in pitas, over rice, or as part of a healthy chicken bowl.
Notes
- For extra authentic Greek flavor, add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the marinade mixture.
- This chicken is excellent for meal prep; store cooked portions in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- If you prefer a sheet pan chicken dinner, add chopped potatoes, red onion, and bell peppers to the pan with the chicken before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz cooked chicken
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 110