Greek Chicken Marinated in Yogurt

This greek chicken marinated in yogurt is light, healthy and simple to make.  Easy to make on a BBQ grill, or a grill pan on the stovetop, for those crispy and crunchy charred edges and juicy tender centre.

Recipe Highlights

1. Easy to make with only 8 simple ingredients
2. The yogurt marinade makes the chicken tender and juicy and melt in your mouth
3. Marinate the chicken ahead of time so all you need to do is cook it
4. It works with chicken thighs, chicken tenders, and chicken breasts.
5. Make your own chicken kaboobs and marinate using this recipe
6. Make it on the BBQ grill outside in summer, or inside on a grill pan on the stove in winter
7. Greek yogurt chicken makes for great leftovers and meal prepping with your favourite rice and veges
8. Goes perfectly with this Orzo Pesto Pasta that is light and healthy

Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken: I love using boneless skinless chicken thighs as they have a little bit of fat, but not too much which adds just the right amount of flavour for me. If you're not a fan of chicken thigh, you could use chicken breasts or even chicken tenders, but you'll need to be careful not to overcook as they may have a tendency to dry out from overcooking due to having less fat.
• Yogurt: I use full fat greek yogurt because its thick and creamy. It coats the meat better so stays on better whilst cooking, allowing those char marks to develop
• Garlic and Ginger: these are essential to adding a good flavour base. Using either fresh or the garlic and ginger that comes in a jar is fine. I;ve tried both and can't really notice much difference
• Garlic Salt: I love using garlic salt for an extra garlic flavour, but feel free to use plain sea salt or even onion salt. The different types of salt will slightly alter the flavour profile of the finished dish, but not too much.
• Curry Powder: I use a mild curry powder and its really just to add additional flavour as opposed to heat. There are thai and indian curry powders readily available in the supermarket to choose from, but I typically use Clives of India curry powder,
• Parsley: this adds some colour and earthiness to the marinade. Fresh, semi dried or dried parsley all work, and if you don;t have this, you could substitute with basil, or chives or even leave it out.
• Lemon: Lemon is essential in this marinate to balance out all the flavour and to add acidity to the marinade. It also pairs well with the garlic and ginger. Both juice and zest are used to add a tang and freshness to this marinade.

How To Make

1. Make Greek Chicken Marinade: Combine yogurt and marinade ingredients including crushed garlic, ginger, curry powder, garlic salt, lemon juice and zest and dried parsley to a bowl and mix together.   

2. Marinate Yogurt Chicken: Lay chicken pieces in a baking tray or other container, pour over the yogurt marinade, cover with  lid or foil and refrigerate for minimum of 3 hours 

3. Cook: Place chicken in a single layer on a hot grill or BBQ, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes each side, depending on how big your chicken thighs are it may take shorter or longer for them to cook through.  If you’re not sure, make an incision in one or cut one in half to check if its cooked through. 

4. Once cooked arrange on a platter for serving with a sprinkling of salt and pepper, grilled lemon wedges and diced chives. 

Recipe Tips

1. Choose the Right Chicken: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts for the best results. These cuts are tender and absorb the marinade well. You can also use chicken drumsticks or wings if you prefer dark meat.
2. Use Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt, making it ideal for marinating chicken. It imparts a richer flavor and better coating.
3. Marinate for an Optimal Time: Marinating the chicken is key to infusing it with flavor and tenderness. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 2-4 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator for the best results. This extended marination time ensures the yogurt and spices penetrate the meat.
4. Preheat Your BBQ or Grill Pan: Before placing the marinated chicken on the grill, make sure it's fully preheated to the desired cooking temperature. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and prevents it from sticking. If grilling on the BBQ preheat to medium-high heat (around 375-400°F or 190-204°C). If using a grill pan or skillet on the stove, preheat to medium high heat.
5. Rest the Chicken: After cooking, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, making it juicier and more flavorful. Cover the cooked chicken with aluminum foil to keep it warm while it rests for about 5-10 minutes.

Serving Ideas

• Greek Salad: A classic choice! Toss together fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Dress it with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and salt and pepper. Serve this refreshing salad alongside the chicken.
• Tzatziki Sauce: This yogurt-based sauce with cucumber, garlic, dill, and lemon is a perfect condiment for Greek chicken. It adds creaminess and a refreshing element to the meal.
• 3 Ingredient Flatbread: This quick and easy homemade flatbread is ideal for making wraps with the Greek chicken. You can also use them to scoop up the chicken and tzatziki sauce.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant seasoned with olive oil, garlic, and Mediterranean herbs are a great side dish. I also love greek yogurt chicken with roasted garlic butter brussell sprouts and these Air Fryer smashed potatoes

Variations

• Spice It Up: Add some heat to the yogurt chicken marinade with red pepper flakes, chili powder, onion powder, garam masala or, or ground black pepper for a spicy kick.
• Fresh Herbs: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, mint, or cilantro in addition to or in place of traditional Mediterranean herbs like oregano and thyme.
• Garlic Lovers: If you love garlic, increase the amount of minced garlic or add a teaspoon of garlic powder in the marinade for a more robust garlic flavor.
• Flavor Boosters: add a tablespoon of Soy sauce, Tomato Paste, or Dijon Mustard for a little bit of extra savory tang.

Storing Leftovers

1. Cool It Down: Allow the cooked chicken to cool to room temperature then divide into meal-sized portions using airtight contianers.
2. Refrigeration: Leftover Greek chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

This greek chicken yogurt marinade is one of my favourite things to make in summer when I’ve overdosed on curries, as I tend to do in the cooler months. 

Yogurt marinated greek chicken is a flavorful blend of creamy, tangy, savory and citrus. The yogurt marinade keeps the meat moist, while grilling creates that slightly crispy, charred exterior that is oh so yum!

Other Chicken Recipes

• Healthy Butter Chicken
• Baked Paprika Parmesan Chicken
• Clean Eating Chicken Salad
• Healthy Salt & Chili Chicken
• Chicken & Mushroom Filos