Grilled Greek Chicken
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Grilled Greek Chicken combines chicken breasts with a yogurt-based marinade for the most tender and delicious meat. Add this succulent chicken to bowls, salads, or eat it alongside your favorite sides for a meal your whole family will love!
Yogurt Marinade for Chicken
We use Greek yogurt in so many recipes and it’s time to share a delicious yogurt-based marinade for chicken. I was surprised at how juicy the meat was after grilling it, and due to the lighter color, we may have actually overcooked it slightly the first time we made it. But no matter, it was still tender!
Chicken is by far our most made protein in our home. So trying new methods of cooking it just makes sense. For more ideas, try our White Chicken Chili, Chicken Curry Ramen, or Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad!
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE TO MAKE – This chicken takes just minutes to prepare. Then it’s mostly hands off as it marinates. Simple to make and delicious too.
- FULL OF FLAVOR – We love the Greek flavors from the seasonings and lemon. Plus the yogurt-based marinade makes the chicken super tender and juice.
- A CROWD PLEASER – How can you go wrong with a tender chicken with smoky flavors from the grill? We love using our Big Green Egg or any charcoal grill during grilling season.
Ingredients Used:
A yogurt-based marinade tenderizes chicken by breaking down its proteins, resulting in a moist, juicy texture. Additionally, the acidity in yogurt helps to infuse the chicken with flavor when cooked. The following simple ingredients are available in most grocery stores.
- Chicken Breasts – We used boneless, skinless chicken breasts but chicken thighs would also be great to use.
- Greek Yogurt – Use plain Greek yogurt in the marinade.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Lemon Juice – The lemon juice should not be added right away if soaking the chicken for longer than three hours.
- Fresh Garlic Cloves – Garlic equals flavor!
- Seasonings – A simple combo of oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. We used dried herbs but fresh herbs would be awesome if available to you.
How to make this Grilled Greek Chicken Recipe:
We love using our Big Green Egg (charcoal grill), but you can use a gas grill or even cook it indoors on a grill pan.
Step 1
Prep the chicken. Use a sharp knife to butterfly the raw chicken breasts. Add to a resealable bag.
Step 2
Make chicken marinade. In a medium bowl, combine marinade ingredients – the Greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Combine well with a whisk.
Step 3
Add marinade to chicken. Spoon the marinade over the chicken and seal. Use your hands to massage the ingredients into the chicken. Place in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to let the flavors meld.
NOTE: Don’t marinate the chicken in lemon juice for over three hours. So if needed, soak the chicken in the other ingredients and add the lemon juice later.
Step 4
Grill chicken. Light an outdoor grill to medium heat – about 350 degrees f. When hot, add the chicken and grill on one side for several minutes before flipping to the other side. Cook until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees on a digital thermometer. Grill time will vary.
NOTE: This chicken will not get as brown due to the white yogurt in the marinade. That’s ok. It’s still delicious!
Step 5
Rest chicken. Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Step 6
Slice chicken. Use a sharp knife to thinly slice the chicken into strips.
Step 7
Serve chicken. Add greek chicken to our Mediterranean Grain Bowls with Healthy Tzatziki Sauce, other bowls, salads, wraps, or just eat it plain. You could also make Greek chicken gyros with a side of rice.
Leftover chicken should be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
What to serve with Grilled Greek Chicken:
Other Chicken Recipes:
In addition to or Greek style chicken, try one of the following easy recipes next.
Recipe FAQs:
You should marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but 2-3 hours is optimal. If wanting to marinate overnight, wait to add the lemon juice 2-3 hours before grilling?
The acidity in Greek yogurt helps tenderize the chicken, making it more succulent and juicy when cooked. The thick consistency of Greek yogurt also allows it to cling to the chicken, ensuring that the marinade penetrates deeply into the meat.
We recommend grilling chicken at medium heat, or around 350 degrees. This will ensure it stays tender and you’re less likely to overcook it.
Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees f. Use a meat thermometer for best results. We often take it off the grill at around 160 degrees to allow for a little bit of carry over cooking.
Yes, simple cut the thicken breasts into 1.5-2 inch pieces and add the easy marinade. Let rest and then add chicken pieces to skewers and grill
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Grilled Greek Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2-3 cloves garlic – minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
Instructions
- Prep the chicken. Use a sharp knife to butterfly the chicken breasts. Add to a resealable bag.
- Make chicken marinade. In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Combine well with a whisk.
- Add marinade to chicken. Spoon the marinade over the chicken and seal. Use your hands to massage the ingredients into the chicken. Place in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to let the flavors meld.
- Grill chicken. Light an outdoor grill to medium heat – about 350 degrees f. When hot, add the chicken and grill on one side for several minutes before flipping to the other side. Cook until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees on a digital thermometer.
- Rest chicken. Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Slice chicken. Use a sharp knife to thinly slice the chicken into strips.
- Serve chicken. Add greek chicken to our Mediterranean Grain Bowl, other bowls, salads, wraps, or just eat it plain.
Notes
- Don’t marinate the chicken in lemon juice for over three hours. So if needed, soak the chicken in the other ingredients and add the lemon juice later.
- This chicken will not get as brown due to the white yogurt in the marinade. That’s ok. It’s still delicious!
- The acidity in Greek yogurt helps tenderize the chicken, making it more succulent and juicy when cooked. The thick consistency of Greek yogurt also allows it to cling to the chicken, ensuring that the marinade penetrates deeply into the meat,
- Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees f. We often take it off the grill at around 160 degrees to allow for a little bit of carry over cooking.
