Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken (Printable View)

Tender chicken marinated in Greek yogurt with garlic and spices, then grilled or baked to juicy perfection.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon zest until fully combined.
02 - Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours for maximum flavor absorption.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat or preheat oven to 425°F.
04 - Remove the chicken from marinade and let excess drip off. Discard any leftover marinade.
05 - Grill: Place chicken on grill, cook for 6–8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Oven: Place chicken on a lined baking sheet, bake 18–22 minutes or until cooked through.
06 - Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The yogurt creates the most incredible moisture barrier, keeping chicken juicy even if you accidentally overcook it slightly
  • This marinade works double duty as a tenderizer and flavor powerhouse, plus cleanup is a breeze
02 -
  • Patting the chicken partially dry before cooking helps the marinade caramelize instead of just steaming the meat
  • The yogurt mixture can turn bitter if you marinate longer than 12 hours, so plan accordingly
03 -
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly, so let it sit out for 20 minutes before grilling
  • The yogurt mixture creates beautiful grill marks, so do not flip too frequently

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