When it’s warm out, grilled chicken is one of our favorite dinners to enjoy (especially if we can eat it outside while the sun is shining!). This easy Greek chicken marinade recipe is perfect for making a healthy meal for the whole family with minimal fuss. Made with very simple ingredients, in under an hour, it’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner! Serve it with some store bought naan, this Greek Pasta Salad or this Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Greek Pasta Salad with homemade Lemonade. Because we’re marinating the chicken in yogurt, which is a foolproof method for making it creamy, juicy, and richly flavored, this Greek chicken is juicy and delicious every time. It’s a great recipe to meal prep for later in the week because you can make extra marinade and store it to use in another meal a few days later (you can even freeze it — more on that later!). This Greek marinade recipe is versatile, so you can use fresh herbs instead of dried ones, or change them up to suit your preference. You can also cook your chicken any way you like — on the stove, in the oven, in the slow cooker, but we love it grilled! For more Greek-inspired meals, check out my Spicy Baked Feta (Mpougiourdi), and this Feta Pasta with Dill. Alternatively, try another of these Grilled Chicken recipes or this Hawaiian Chicken Recipe for more grilled chicken goodness.
Ingredients Needed:
Oil: since this is my interpretation of a Greek-style marinade, we are definitely using olive oil. Olive oil does add significant flavor, but you can swap this for another oil you have if you need to. Yogurt: only plain yogurt will do here, either Greek-style or Natural yogurt, but you can use any fat percentage: from 0% to ultra thick and rich. Lemon: use fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. The acidity will help tenderize the meat. Seasoning: use classic Greek flavors with fresh garlic, dried oregano, dried parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper. Sugar: white granulated sugar will add a bit of sweetness to the marinade, to counteract the acidity. Chicken: I tend to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs or chicken with the skin on will work too. You can use chicken with the bone in, but the cook time may vary.
How to Make Greek Chicken Marinade
This recipe is simple to make! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.
Tips and Notes
Type of Oil. It’s best to use an oil that best compliments the type of food you’re making. Olive oil is best for Greek, Italian, and Mediterranean dishes. Fresh Herbs: Got fresh herbs? Wonderful! Use 3 times the amount of fresh herbs (finely chopped) than you would dried ones. Double it up: Make a double batch of this marinade, divide it, and store the excess marinade in an airtight container or jar, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days to use on another meat later in the week!
Greek Chicken Marinade Variations
Add some heat. Add some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the marinade, or sprinkle some on top before you cook your chicken to add a spicy kick to the meal. Chicken. You can use this marinade with any cut of chicken, or even another meat. It’s one of those great recipes you’ll use again and again for all sorts of foods!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Greek Chicken Marinade dish with your favorite sides to make a complete meal. It’s perfect for making Greek chicken gyros and wraps, or try it in one of these Pasta Salad Recipes! If you’re using an outdoor grill to cook your chicken, you may want to pair it with this Southwest Potato Salad with tomatoes and Corn on the Cob, Easy Pasta Salad with Italian dressing, or another one of my BBQ Sides for Summer! If you’re cooking it in the oven, or fancy something a bit different, try these Air Fryer Green Beans and Air Fryer Broccoli with this Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes recipe.
More Easy Chicken Recipes to Try
Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Bake
Italian Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes
Easy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
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