Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken (Print Version)

Tender chicken marinated in creamy Greek yogurt, garlic, and spices, then grilled or baked to juicy perfection.

# What You 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 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
11 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Garnishes

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon zest in a large bowl until fully combined.
02 - Add chicken breasts to the bowl and turn to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor infusion.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat or preheat oven to 425°F.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard any remaining marinade.
05 - Grill: Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Oven: Place on lined baking sheet and bake for 18-22 minutes until cooked through.
06 - Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • The yogurt acts as a natural tenderizer making even budget chicken breasts melt in your mouth
  • Marinade doubles as a flavor delivery system so every bite tastes authentic and bright
02 -
  • Never exceed 12 hours of marinating or the lemon will start breaking down the meat texture too much
  • Pat off the heaviest marinade clumps before cooking or they may burn on the grill and taste bitter
03 -
  • Bring chicken to room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking for more even results
  • Score thick chicken breasts with shallow cuts to help marinade penetrate deeper

Go Back