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    Home » Chicken and Poultry

    Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

    Published: Mar 12, 2021 · Modified: Jun 7, 2023 by Diana Reis · This post may contain affiliate links

    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    This Greek Yogurt Chicken is a low carb main dish that is super moist and full of bright Mediterranean flavors. Juicy boneless chicken thighs are coated in perfectly seasoned Greek yogurt marinade and grilled to perfection in less than 30 minutes.

    Greek Yogurt Chicken Close up

    This chicken recipe is an all around winner. It is quick and easy for a weeknight meal. You can cook this on the grill or on the stove top.  

    It is also a great summer grilling dish to bring outside and serve with some delicious side salads. Follow my how-to-tips for the best results on the stove top or outdoor grill. 

    Contents hide
    Make this recipe, because…
    Ingredients
    How to Make Greek Yogurt Chicken
    FAQs
    Diana's Tips For Success
    Related Recipes
    📖 Recipe
    Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
    Greek Yogurt Marinade Ingredients

    Make this recipe, because…

    Tangy Greek yogurt marinade coats the outside of the thighs perfectly. It creates a nice crust over the chicken when it's cooked and keeps the meat nice and moist.

    Fresh garlic, lemon juice, and oregano are the quintessential Mediterranean flavors and taste great on grilled chicken. 

    Adding high protein yogurt keeps this main dish firmly in the low carb category.

    This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. It is a great recipe for busy weeknights. 

    Of course, it is a budget friendly main!

    Ingredients

    Greek Yogurt Chicken Ingredients

    Chicken Thighs- I use boneless skinless chicken thighs so often because they are super delicious and really easy to cook. The dark meat is fattier, but overall they are still pretty healthy. The meat is also really hard to dry out. That extra fat is really tasty and it helps the thigh retain moisture. 

    Plain Greek Yogurt- It is an excellent vehicle for flavor. Alone it is pretty plain and just a bit tart. It takes on other flavors really well so the garlic, lemon juice, and spices come through the yogurt chicken marinade. It is also low in carbs and high in protein. 

    How to Make Greek Yogurt Chicken

    Step 1

    • In a medium bowl, whisk plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, and spices together. 
    greek yogurt chicken marinade in glass bowl

    Step 2

    • Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Dry meat will hold onto the thick yogurt coating better.
    • Transfer the marinade to a food storage bag or large bowl. Then add the boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to fully coat all of the chicken pieces. 
    chicken thighs marinating in food storage bag

    Step 3

    • Next, heat a grill, grill pan, or skillet on medium-high heat. Remove the thighs from the bag and place the yogurt-marinated chicken down on the hot surface. 
    • Let cook for 6-8 minutes on the first side or until it is well browned. 
    chicken thighs on grill pan

    Step 4

    • Then turn the chicken over, and let it cook for another 6-8 minutes.
    • It is fully cooked when the center of the meat reaches 165°. You may need to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. 
    browned thighs cooking on second side

    FAQs

    Can I use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs?

    Of course you can! Just take into consideration that thick pieces of breast meat take longer to cook and have less fat. They can be easier to dry out.

    If you are going to use chicken breasts, try cubing the meat for a kebab or using breast fillets. The pieces will be smaller and cook a bit faster. This will help you get the same juicy, tender results.

    Should I wipe or wash off marinade before cooking?

    No! This marinade has very little oil and shouldn’t cause any problems with flame up on the grill. The Greek yogurt actually creates a nice coating on the chicken as it cooks, and you want to keep all of that flavor.

    Diana's Tips For Success

    • Let the chicken sit in the marinade while you prep your side dishes. 10-15 minutes is plenty of time to pick up flavor. This will also bring the temperature of the chicken closer to room temperature and reduce your cooking time. 
    • Brush grill grates with a bit of cooking oil. Use an oil with a high smoke point. This will prevent sticking and help with browning.
    • Chicken thighs are dark meat and remain pink in color even when fully cooked. If you are used to cooking breast meat, the color may throw you off. 
    • The only sure fire way to know if something is fully cooked is to use a well maintained thermometer. Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken for an accurate reading. 

    Storage and Reheating

    Store leftover Greek Yogurt Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

    Chicken thighs are super easy to reheat in the microwave and are a protein for meal prep.

    Serve cold with greens and fun toppings for a healthy chicken salad. 

    Finished chicken on plate with vegetables

    Related Recipes

    • Easy Rice Pilaf
    • Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots
    • Parmesan Stuffed Artichokes
    • Shrimp Avocado Mango Corn Salad
    • Wilted Spinach Salad with Bacon Dressing

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    📖 Recipe

    Greek Yogurt Chicken Featured Image

    Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

    Made with simple ingredients, this Greek yogurt chicken recipe is easy to prepare, next level flavorful, and will quickly become one of your favorite ways to serve chicken.
    4.75 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: Greek/ Mediteranean
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 11 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 People
    Calories: 289kcal
    Author: Diana Reis

    Equipment

    • Grill or Large Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 2 Lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

    Greek Yogurt Marinade Ingredients

    • ¼ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
    • Juice of 1 Lemon Juiced, approximately 3 Tablespoons
    • 4 Cloves Garlic minced or pressed
    • 1 Tablespoon Paprika
    • 1 Teaspoon Oregano
    • 1 Teaspoon Salt
    • ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil extra virgin

    Instructions

    • In a medium bowl, whisk plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, and spices together.
    • Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Dry meat will hold onto the thick yogurt coating better.
    • Transfer the marinade to a food storage bag or large bowl. Then add the boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to fully coat all of the chicken pieces.
    • Next, heat a grill, grill pan, or skillet on medium-high heat. Remove the thighs from the bag and place the yogurt-marinated chicken down on the hot surface.
    • Let cook for 6-8 minutes on the first side or until it is well browned.
    • Then turn the chicken over, and let it cook for another 6-8 minutes. It is fully cooked when the center of the meat reaches 165°. You may need to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

    Notes

    FAQs
    Can I use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs?
    Of course you can! Just take into consideration that thick pieces of breast meat take longer to cook and have less fat. They can be easier to dry out. If you are going to use chicken breasts, try cubing the meat for a kebab or using breast fillets.
    The pieces will be smaller and cook a bit faster. This will help you get the same juicy, tender results.
    Should I wipe or wash off excess marinade before cooking?
    No! This marinade has very little oil and shouldn’t cause any problems with flame up on the grill. The Greek yogurt actually creates a nice coating on the chicken as it cooks, and you want to keep all of that flavor.
    Expert Tips
    • Let the chicken sit in the marinade while you prep your side dishes. 10-15 minutes is plenty of time to pick up flavor. This will also bring the temperature of the chicken closer to room temperature and reduce your cooking time.
    • Brush grill grates with a bit of cooking oil. Use an oil with a high smoke point. This will prevent sticking and help with browning.
    • Chicken thighs are dark meat and remain pink in color even when fully cooked. If you are used to cooking breast meat, the color may throw you off.
    • The only sure fire way to know if something is fully cooked is to use a well maintained thermometer.
    • Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken for an accurate reading.
    Storage and Reheating
    Store leftover Greek Yogurt Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    Chicken thighs are super easy to reheat in the microwave and are a protein for meal prep.
    Serve cold with greens and fun toppings for a healthy chicken salad.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 216mg | Sodium: 790mg | Potassium: 635mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 927IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @DianDeliciousB or tag #DeliciousByDesign!

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    Comments

      4.75 from 8 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Irina says

      April 08, 2021 at 9:18 pm

      5 stars
      What a great idea to use Greek yogurt to marinate chicken thighs. I am used to mayonnaise, sour cream, but I have never thought of Greek yogurt. Now I cannot wait to give it a try!

      Reply
    2. Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says

      April 08, 2021 at 9:52 pm

      5 stars
      Love the short list of ingredients! I totally have ALL of these things so you just sorted out dinner for me! THANKS

      Reply
    3. Jayne says

      April 08, 2021 at 10:03 pm

      5 stars
      This chicken has great flavor! thank you for sharing. Having it on the table in 30 minutes is just a bonus.

      Reply
    4. Kristina Tipps says

      April 08, 2021 at 11:32 pm

      5 stars
      This tasted amazing! I used my air fryer and chicken tenders, for 12 minutes at 375 and it was great.

      Reply
    5. Beth says

      April 08, 2021 at 11:57 pm

      5 stars
      I wish I could reach into the pictures! This looks so delicious and making me hungry! So excited to make this soon!

      Reply
    6. Donna says

      April 28, 2022 at 8:50 pm

      I didn't see in the list of ingredients what the amount of olive oil needs to be used. It mentions to add olive oil in the directions.

      Reply
      • Diana Reis says

        April 30, 2022 at 12:13 am

        2 Tablespoons! Thanks for bringing this to my attention so I can fix it.

        Reply
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