Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken in creamy yogurt marinade with Mediterranean herbs and spices

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (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 fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
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 fresh parsley, chopped
13 - Lemon wedges

# Steps:

01 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon zest in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken breasts to the bowl and turn to coat completely. Cover tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, maximum 8 hours for optimal flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat or preheat oven to 425°F with rack positioned in the center.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard used marinade—do not reuse.
05 - Grill Method: Place chicken on preheated grill and cook 6–8 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Oven Method: Arrange chicken on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 18–22 minutes until cooked through.
06 - Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The yogurt marinade creates the most incredibly juicy chicken youve ever tasted
  • Its one of those make-ahead recipes that lets you prep in the morning and relax until dinner
02 -
  • Never reuse the leftover marinade that's touched raw chicken, it's not worth the risk
  • Patting excess marinade off before cooking helps prevent the yogurt from burning on the grill
03 -
  • Use plain Greek yogurt without any added flavors or sweeteners for the best results
  • If using wooden skewers for grilling, soak them in water for 30 minutes first

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