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.

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Greek/ Mediteranean

Diet Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 11

Total Time 25

Servings 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