Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken marinated in Greek yogurt with garlic, lemon, and spices. Grill or bake for juicy, flavorful results perfect for any meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# How to Make:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined.
02 - Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly on all sides. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours, to allow flavors to penetrate the meat.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat or preheat oven to 425°F. Ensure your cooking method is ready before removing chicken from the refrigerator.
04 - Take the chicken breasts out of the marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard any leftover marinade—do not reuse it.
05 - Grill: Place chicken on preheated grill and cook for 6–8 minutes per side, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Oven: Arrange chicken on a lined baking sheet and bake for 18–22 minutes or until cooked through.
06 - Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The Greek yogurt acts as a natural tenderizer making the meat incredibly juicy without any fancy tricks
  • You can prep it in the morning and forget about it until dinner time
02 -
  • The yogurt marinade can turn slightly grayish but that is completely normal and does not affect the flavor at all
  • Patting the chicken lightly before cooking helps it brown better though it is not strictly necessary
03 -
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly so take it out 20 minutes before cooking
  • Let the cooked chicken rest even if you are starving it makes all the difference in texture

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