Description
This Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade recipe creates juicy and flavorful chicken breasts or thighs by marinating them in a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and a mix of aromatic spices. The marinade tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with a Mediterranean-inspired taste, perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing. Ideal for a healthy, protein-rich meal with vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp oregano (dried)
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
- ½ tsp cumin (ground)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
Chicken
- 4 pieces chicken breasts or thighs (boneless, skinless)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined to create the marinade.
- Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs into a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish to prepare for marinating.
- Combine Chicken with Marinade: Pour the Greek yogurt marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is fully coated to allow the flavors to penetrate.
- Marinate: Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to maximize flavor infusion and tenderness.
- Remove Excess Marinade: When ready to cook, take the chicken out of the marinade and let any excess drip off to prevent flare-ups or sogginess during cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Grill, bake, or pan-sear the chicken until it is fully cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for safety and juiciness.
- Rest the Chicken: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for 5 minutes; this helps retain juices and makes slicing easier.
- Serve: Serve the chicken with your choice of side dishes such as roasted vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete and healthy meal. Enjoy your flavorful and tender Greek yogurt marinated chicken!
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to allow flavors to fully develop.
- The marinade also works great for chicken thighs, breasts, or even drumsticks.
- You can adjust the spices to your preference, adding more paprika for smokiness or lemon juice for extra tang.
- If baking, cook chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes; grilling times will vary depending on heat.
- Do not reuse leftover marinade unless boiled to kill bacteria from raw chicken.
- Greek yogurt helps tenderize the chicken and keeps it moist during cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Baking, Pan-searing (Primary methods are grilling, baking, and stovetop pan-searing with the marinade preparation being no-cook; choosing Stovetop as the primary method since cooking instructions include grilling, baking, or pan-searing, but pan-searing is a stovetop method.)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
Keywords: Greek yogurt chicken marinade, grilled chicken, healthy chicken marinade, Mediterranean chicken, yogurt marinade, juicy chicken recipe, easy chicken marinade
