Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade

Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade

This Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade creates the most tender, juicy chicken with bright lemon, garlic, and herbs, perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing.

Prep Time10

Cook Time18

Total Time30

Course: Condiment, Dinner, Dippings & Dressings

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: greek yogurt marinade chicken, marinated chicken

Servings: servings

Author: Elena Davis

Ingredients

Marinade

1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoons Italian seasoning homemade or store-bought
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon zest and juice
2 –3 garlic cloves finely grated
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2½ teaspoons sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Chicken

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the marinade. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, grated garlic, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until smooth and well combined.
Coat the chicken. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and gently toss until each piece is evenly coated in the marinade.
Marinate. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor and extra tender chicken.
Cook the Chicken (Choose Your Method):
Grill Method (Best Flavor): Preheat the grill to high heat for about 20–30 minutes until very hot. Clean and oil the grates.
Place the marinated chicken thighs on the grill, spacing them apart. Grill for 7–10 minutes per side, flipping once or twice, until nicely browned with light char marks. Chicken thighs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Stovetop Method: Heat 1–2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat.
Add the marinated chicken thighs, letting excess marinade drip off slightly. Cook 6–7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Lower the heat slightly if the marinade begins to brown too quickly. Chicken thighs should reach 165°F internally.
Oven Method: Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange the marinated chicken in a lightly oiled baking dish or on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until fully cooked. For extra color, broil the chicken for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Rest and serve. Remove the chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Lightly oil the grill grates so the yogurt marinade doesn’t stick.
Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the best flavor and tenderizing power.
Marinate at least 30 minutes, but overnight gives the deepest flavor.
Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling.

Nutrition