This yogurt based Greek chicken marinade combines lemon, garlic, and oregano seasoning creating flavorful, moist, tender chicken.
Use it on baked or grilled chicken. It is also perfect for making flavorful chicken kebabs.
"I think I just found the best chicken marinade recipe ever. The yogurt does really make the chicken tender and soft. This recipe is a keeper!" ★★★★★-Aya
The marinade is very simple to put together.
I like to make grilled Greek chicken tenders with a side of my homemade tzatziki sauce and pita. It is the perfect combination!
Or top the chicken on a gourmet Greek salad. I hope you enjoy! Xoxo.
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Ingredient notes and substitutions
You will need the following simple ingredients for this Greek chicken marinade:
- Dried oregano- You can substitute with finely chopped fresh oregano.
- Fresh garlic cloves- To substitute with garlic powder, use 1 tablespoon.
- Fresh Lemon- Adds loads of flavor.
- Olive oil
- Plain Greek Yogurt- Do not substitute with regular yogurt. The Greek yogurt works best for this recipe. Whole milk yogurt or skim milk yogurt will work for this recipe.
- Dried parsley- You can substitute with finely chopped fresh parsley.
- Salt
Chicken Tip
This Greek chicken marinade is perfect for all types of chicken pieces such as: chicken tenders, chicken breasts with skin and/or boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken legs, chicken thighs, and chicken wings. This Greek yogurt chicken marinade also works well with a whole chicken that you would roast in the oven.
Does yogurt tenderize meat?
Yogurt is the perfect way to tenderize meat. The acids in the yogurt break down the protein wall in meat. The breakdown of the protein allows the meat to absorb moisture, allowing it to be juicy and tender.
Steps to make Greek chicken marinade
Follow these simple steps to make Greek chicken marinade:
- In a bowl, add Greek yogurt, olive oil, crushed garlic, oregano, lemon juice, parsley, and salt.
- Mix well.
- Marinate chicken in a ziplock bag or airtight container. Once marinated, remove chicken from the marinade and discard any leftover marinade to prevent any illnesses that is caused by using raw poultry.
- Bake or grill the chicken until fully cooked.
*Note: There is enough marinade for up to 3 pounds of chicken.
This easy marinade for chicken can be used many different ways. A few ideas include: Greek chicken gyros on pita bread (chicken souvlaki), as a protein in Greek salad, on a skewer for Greek chicken kabobs, in the oven for roasted chicken, on the grill for an easy healthy main dish.....All are delicious!
Watch how to make
How long should you marinate the chicken?
For this recipe, you will need to marinate the chicken at least 30 minutes.
However, for best results, marinate chicken 2 to 6 hours. This time frame allows the chicken to become fully tender and absorb all of the seasonings for flavoring.
Marinate tip
Because the marinade tenderizes the chicken, you do not want to marinate chicken longer than 8 hours or it will make begin to make the chicken mushy.
Can you use this Greek marinade on other meats?
This Greek marinade is actually very versatile. It would be delicious to use on pork and lamb.
What is a good side dish for Greek chicken?
For a complete meal, try any of these delicious Greek inspired sides.
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Greek Salad Dressing
- Greek Green Beans (Fasolakia)
- Greek Lemon Potatoes
- Chickpea Salad
- Greek Black Eye Pea Salad
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Mediterranean Beet Salad
- Spinach with Lemon
Please leave me a comment below if you make this Greek chicken marinade and tell me what you thought about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
Also post your picture of your Greek chicken on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
Greek Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 lemon juiced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbs olive oil, 4 crushed garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons oregano, 1 juiced lemon, 1 teaspoon parsley, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Mix well.
- Marinate chicken at least 30 minutes. It is best to marinate 2 to 6 hours. Marinate chicken in a ziplock bag or airtight container. Once marinated, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any used marinade to prevent any illnesses that is caused by using raw poultry.
- Bake or grill the chicken until fully cooked.
Tracy Allan says
I was wondering if you need to wipe off the yogurt marinade from the chicken before you throw it on the bbq. Last time I used yogurt as a marinade and baked it in the oven it came out like a jell or something almost when I was finished baking it lol
Not sure, but we couldn’t even eat it
Thank you!
Katie Crenshaw says
Hi Tracy, Yes, you definitely want to remove the excess yogurt marinade before grilling. You don’t need to rinse it, just gently scrape or pat off the thick coating. I usually just give the chicken a good shake as I remove it from the marinade, and it generally comes off. Yogurt marinades work best when they’re used as a tenderizer and flavor booster, not something you cook on the chicken. If too much yogurt stays on, it can heat up, separate, and turn that weird jelly-like texture you described. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Savita says
This Greek chicken marinade is a game-changer! The yogurt base keeps the chicken incredibly moist and tender while infusing it with delicious Mediterranean flavors. It's become my go-to recipe for weekday dinners and impressing guests alike. Thank you for sharing this culinary gem!
Amy Liu Dong says
Greek yogurt is the best base marinade and I'm glad I see this recipe online! The chicken will turn out tender, juicy, and delicious because of this and the seasonings!
Ann says
I have never tried a yogurt based marinade before. I have some chicken breasts unthawing for dinner tonight, will have to give this marinade a try!
Andrea says
This looks delicious! Have you marinated for 24 hours before? I'm wondering how the yogurt does. I like to marinate things the night before I'm cooking them, usually.
Katie Crenshaw says
Hi Andrea! 24 hours would be too much with the yogurt. It will tenderize it too much for that time length and become rubbery. Sorry! 8 hours is really the max for best results, but I usually do between 2 to 4 hours.
Veronika says
I never thought to marinate chicken in yogurt but it came out amazing! I always love green flavors, it's definitely my favorite cuisine.
Allyssa says
Really flavorful and very easy to follow, thanks a bunch for sharing this marinated recipe. Loved it!
Sean says
I am a huge sucker for Greek food. This is marinade is well balanced and tasty.
Ramona says
This greek food marinade looks really flavourful and I love the look of it! Thank you for sharing this recipe, I cant wait to make this!
Tammy says
One of my favorite ways to prepare chicken..it's so simple and so delicious. Perfect reset meal for the New Year!
Aya says
I think I just found the best chicken marinade recipe ever. The yogurt does really make the chicken tender and soft. This recipe is a keeper!
Dennis Littley says
I made these last night and my family loved them! This recipe is a keeper!
Veronika says
I made this recipe yesterday and it came out amazing! Was so easy to make and has great flavor!
Healing Tomato says
Thanks for the step by step pics to making this recipe. It makes this dinner so easy to make. Love all the ingredients in it.
Lauren Michael Harris says
This Greek marinade is so easy to make and made the chicken taste amazing! Will definitely be using this regularly now!
Kayla DiMaggio says
This greek chicken marinade was so delicious! I marinated some chicken for my lunches and it was so delicious!
Liz says
I love that this marinade is made with yogurt. What a great idea! I'm excited to give this recipe a try! Sounds delicious!
Marta says
I used this greek marinade on my bone-in chicken thighs and my family raved about how good it was. I can't wait to make this during the summer so I can grill it over charcoal.
Jere Cassidy says
I love all the greek flavors.You are right, the yogurt made the chicken incredibly tender! Great recipe.
Liz says
My mom has been looking for some new ways to make chicken and I know she's going to love this marinade! Thanks for the recipe!