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Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

One of my favourite ways to prepare chicken breasts is by marinating them in Greek yogurt overnight.

We all know that from time to time we need a break from the same old dinner routine. This Greek marinated chicken recipe is not only delicious, but it’s different from the usual!

The next time you’re looking for something outside of your usual list of go-to recipes, this Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Recipe will be just what you’re looking for. It has a hint of Mediterranean flavour with the lemon juice and oregano mixed in with the Greek yogurt chicken marinade.

The acidity from the yogurt and lemon tenderizes the meat perfectly while infusing it with flavour that will leave you craving more – it tastes like an explosion of tangy goodness in your mouth!

You’ll love how tender and juicy these chicken breasts turn out every single time.

This Greek chicken recipe is a quick and easy way to add loads of flavour to your chicken. If you’re looking for a new go-to grilled chicken recipe then this is it!

Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.
Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

Why You Will Love this Greek Yogurt Marinade

  • Makes juicy, tender chicken.
  • Easy to make with simple, good quality ingredients.
  • You probably have everything you need already in your pantry.
  • A huge punch of Greek-inspired flavour, this chicken is anything but boring!
  • Versatile enough to be used on nearly anything!
  • Lots of tang from the yogurt and citrus juice.
Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

Why Cook with Greek Yogurt?

Greek yogurt is a great secret weapon to have on hand in the kitchen. There is a reason why you will find yogurt marinades across many different cultures.

Greek yogurt is much thicker than other types of yogurt because it is strained to remove the whey, which increases its protein content and decreases its carbohydrate content.

The lactic acid found in yogurt makes it an excellent tenderizing agent. It gently breaks down the protein in the meat, helping to tenderize the chicken without making it rubbery or mushy.

The result of using this delicious Greek chicken marinade is bite after bite of flavourful, juicy, and tender chicken.

Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

What Type of Yogurt is Best for Marinades?

We’re big fans of Oikos Greek yogurt and we know you will be too after trying this marinade.

Oikos Greek Yogurts are made simply from skim milk and active bacterial cultures with no added thickeners which I think makes them really great for cooking with.

Greek yogurt is more thick and creamy than regular yogurt which helps it stick better to the chicken. It also offers a great tangy flavour that works well with the other flavours in this marinade.

You can use any milk fat percentage for this marinade but we used 2% when testing this recipe. Just be sure to grab the plain, no sugar added variety.

Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

How Long Should You Marinate Chicken?

So, now that you know how creamy Greek yogurt can transform your chicken dinner, keep this last tip in mind: you do not want to over-marinate your chicken!

15 minutes is enough with this marinade to see a change in the texture of the chicken and to add loads of flavour.

I generally marinate my chicken for no more than 30 minutes as it’s enough to get maximum flavour without ending up with dry, stringy and rubbery chicken; or worse, mush.

The absolute maximum I would leave this chicken to marinate is 2-3 hours. Still if at all possible the 20-30 minute range is best.

Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

Can I Reuse the Greek Chicken Yogurt Marinade?

Once you’ve completed marinating the Greek yogurt mixture, it’s recommended to discard the remaining Greek yogurt marinade. As tempting as it may be, do not reuse Greek yogurt marinade that has had raw meat in it for any other purpose.

This is why we reserve some of the marinade prior to adding the chicken to have some ready and safe for basting with. If you like, set aside a portion of the marinade before adding your chicken.

Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

Tips for the BEST Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

This is an easy Greek yogurt marinade, and with these simple tips and a little effort you will soon experience an absolute explosion of flavour.

  • Cut slits into your chicken with a sharp knife, as this creates more surface area for the marinade to work on since marinades can’t really penetrate much beyond the surface.
  • I will repeat myself here, but it is important, less marinating is better. No mushy chicken please!
  • If you are marinating chicken more on the 20-30 minute side it is actually ideal to leave it at room temperature. Refrigerate if you will be allowing it to marinate longer.
  • It is a must to marinate the chicken in a glass dish and not a metal container. The metal can react with the acid in the marinade and add a metallic flavour to it.
  • While not necessary, you can run your marinade quickly through a blender for a nice smooth texture.
Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

What Else is this Greek Yogurt Marinade Good For?

While this marinade makes for an excellent chicken dinner, it is versatile enough to pair with many other foods.

Lamb – A staple of the Greek diet, this marinade works well with a leg of lamb or lamb chops.

Pork – Think pork tenderloin or pork chops.

Kebabs – Any protein and veggies with this marinade would be amazing for Greek kebabs.

Vegetables – Roast a mix of hearty veggies like red onion, carrots, and cauliflower after tossing in some of the marinade.

Potatoes – Make roasted potatoes tossed in some of this marinade to make tasty Greek-inspired potatoes!

Salad Dressing – Reserve some of your Greek marinade to use as a dressing drizzled over a Greek salad. Pair the dressing with classic Greek flavours like tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, feta cheese, and olives.

Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

How to Store Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

You can make the marinade ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

I actually would recommend that you prep this marinade a day in advance. The flavours really come together the longer the marinade sits. I like to store it in a mason jar so I just give it a good shake and pour it out over my chicken when I am ready to let the chicken start to marinate.

The cooked chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing.

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Helpful Tools for Grilling Marinated Chicken

You really don’t need any fancy equipment to make this chicken but these tools might be helpful.

Blender – If you want a smoother, well blended marinade. A whisk and some elbow grease can work wonders though.

Indoor Grill – This is the one I use in my own kitchen. Perfect way to enjoy grilled food all year long, no matter the weather.

Glass bowls – You need non-reactive bowls for making the marinade as well as for marinating the actual chicken.

Mason Jars – I think they are perfect for making the marinade in if I’m making it ahead of time. Just pop all the marinade ingredients in, cover, shake and refrigerate. When I’m ready to use, just pour it over the chicken.

Meat Thermometer – The most reliable way to know your chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F is by using an instant read thermometer! Be sure to insert it in the thickest part of the chicken.

(ingredients for Greek yogurt marinated chicken.

About the Ingredients for Greek Yogourt Marinated Chicken

This easy chicken marinade is made with only a few simple ingredients.

Chicken – Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for best results. It is also great on chicken thighs, chicken legs, or bone-in, skinless chicken. Adjust cooking time if cooking a different cut of chicken.

Yogurt – We use plain Oikos Greek Yogurt for the marinade. You can use any fat percentage you like from 0% to whole milk yogurt.

Lemons – The fresh lemon juice not only helps the yogurt tenderize the chicken even further, but it adds a nice tang. The zest adds maximum citrus flavour that balances well with the garlicky herb flavour.

Garlic – Is it even a savoury dish if it doesn’t involve loads of fresh garlic?

Oil – Olive oil is the best to use here whether grilling or baking. You could also substitute with a high smoke point, neutral flavoured oil instead.

Oregano – We want to use dry oregano because it just has a much stronger flavour, and this marinade is meant to have bold flavours. No boring chicken!

Salt & Pepper – Just add your seasonings to taste to the marinade.

Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

Looking for More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes?

Check out some of my favourite weeknight chicken dinner ideas!

This Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Bake is an easy dinner recipe filled with delicious cheese sauce and chicken. It is also inexpensive!

Easy lemon butter chicken drumsticks are the best weeknight dinner! With just a few ingredients, this recipe is sure to be a family favourite.

This Honey Garlic Chicken Sheet Pan Meal is complete with carrots, broccoli and baby potatoes. It’s full of flavour, and quick and easy.

Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

How to Make Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

Yields: 6-8 Servings | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 18 Mins

Ingredients:

2 pounds chicken breasts
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 lemons, zested and juiced
4-6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons dried oregano
Salt & black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Add the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oil, and oregano to a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir until well mixed.

Reserve 2/3 of the marinade, set aside in a small bowl for basting.

Add chicken to Greek yogurt mixture and stir until thoroughly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.

To Grill:

Prepare the grill by lightly oiling the grate with vegetable oil and set to medium-high heat (350 degrees F).

Place chicken on the pre-heated grill. Discard used marinade.

Cook the chicken for 8-9 minutes on one side, then turn and cook for another 8-9 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Baste as necessary with the reserved marinade.

Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to serve.

To Bake:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place marinated chicken in a baking dish and bake for 18-20 minutes. 

Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Yield: 6-8 Servings

Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes

Tender and juicy Greek yogurt marinated chicken dish infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Chicken breasts
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 Lemons, zested and juiced
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • Salt & Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Add the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oil, and oregano to a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir until well mixed.

Reserve 2/3 of the marinade, set aside in a small bowl for basting.

Add chicken to Greek yogurt mixture and stir until thoroughly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.

To Grill:

Prepare the grill by lightly oiling the grate with vegetable oil and set to medium high heat (350 degrees F).

Place chicken on the pre-heated grill. Discard used marinade.

Cook the chicken for 8-9 minutes on one side, then turn and cook for another 8-9 minutes, or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 degrees. Baste as necessary with the reserved marinade.

Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to serve.

To Bake:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place marinated chicken in a baking dish and bake for 18-20 minutes. 

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1/2 Breast

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 329Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 224mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 51g

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Tender and juicy, Greek yogurt marinated chicken infuses garlic, lemon and oregano together for a flavour loaded Greek chicken dinner.

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