Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken marinated in Greek yogurt, garlic, and Mediterranean spices, then grilled or baked to juicy perfection.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 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 chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
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 (optional)

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined.
02 - Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly on all sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours, to allow flavors to penetrate.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat or preheat oven to 425°F.
04 - Remove the chicken from marinade and let excess drip off. Discard any leftover marinade to prevent cross-contamination.
05 - For grilling: Place chicken on grill and cook for 6–8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. For baking: Place chicken on a lined baking sheet and bake for 18–22 minutes or until cooked through.
06 - Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The yogurt acts as a natural tenderizer while keeping the chicken incredibly moist
  • Marinade comes together in minutes but tastes like you spent all day prepping
02 -
  • The yogurt marinade can burn easily so keep an eye on your grill heat and move chicken to a cooler spot if flare-ups happen
  • Patting off excess marinade before cooking prevents burning but leaves enough behind to keep everything juicy
03 -
  • Use a glass container for marinating since yogurt can react with metal and leave off flavors
  • Let chicken come to room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking for more even results

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