If you’re anything like me you’re always on the hunt for new ways to make chicken and one of the best ways to transform chicken is with a marinade. Creamy Greek yogurt, flavored with lemon garlic and spices results in incredibly flavorful and juicy chicken with little effort. This Greek yogurt marinade is highly versatile and works for everything from whole chicken to boneless, skinless chicken breasts and you can then prepare the chicken in the oven or on the grill. This Lemon Garlic Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken is easy, delicious and bound to become a new favorite.
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Is Greek Yogurt a Good Marinade for Chicken?
Greek yogurt contains lactic acid and calcium, both of which tenderize the chicken meat. Lactic acid is more gentle than traditional citrus juice based marinades and does not break down the meat quite as fast making Greek yogurt marinade almost fool proof. Any aromatics or spices you add will get absorbed into the chicken making the chicken very flavorful.
How Long to Marinate Chicken with Greek Yogurt?
You can marinate with Greek yogurt for as little as 15 minutes or up to 24 hours. Due to the gentle nature of Greek yogurt you can marinade for a longer time without running the risk of over tenderizing the meat.
Do You Need to Rinse Off Greek Yogurt Marinade?
No! As it cooks the Greek yogurt marinade forms a delicious golden brown crust on the outside of the chicken which is not only tasty but also keeps your chicken extra juicy.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
This marinade really couldn’t be more simple to make. Take a resealable gallon bag and add Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, a few spices (I particularly like the combo of cumin and smoked paprika) salt and pepper. Close the bag and squish everything together until it’s all combined and then add the chicken. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 24 hours. I’ve included instructions below for roasting in the oven but this chicken is also great grilled or pan fried.
If you like this Lemon Garlic Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
Israeli Couscous with Spinach and Pine Nuts
Crispy Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms
Paella with Chicken and Chorizo
Chicken with Rice, Leeks and Mushrooms
Easy Mediterranean White Bean Salad
If you make this Lemon Garlic Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Lemon Garlic Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Equipment
- Gallon Ziptop bag
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 whole chicken, quartered or 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Instructions
- Place Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, spices, salt and pepper in a resealable gallon zip top bag. Seal the bag and smush ingredients to thoroughly combine.
- Add chicken to the bag and reseal. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken on a baking sheet and roast chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees ( about 20 minutes for boneless, skinless chicken breast or 40-45 minutes for bone-in quartered or spatchcocked chicken).
- Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Elizabeth Swoish says
This looks so delicious and simple! Definitely giving it a try. Yum!
Oscar says
This chicken recipe totally hit the spot. I love the lemon with chicken. It adds a level of freshness. Great recipe.
Rob says
This looks super easy and delicious. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Kayla DiMaggio says
This greek garlic yogurt chicken was delicious! It was the perfect weeknight meal!
Adrianne says
OMG this looks seriously amazing and I can’t wait to make it for dinner tonight. I am drooling already. Thanks for the recipe!
Julia says
This made a delicious dinner. It worked really well and the chicken was meltingly soft and flavourful. Thank you.
Ramona says
This chicken not only looks divine but it tastes heaven too! I will make it again this weekend. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Kasey Ferguson says
I love the minimal ingredients and easy to follow recipe. I marinated my chicken for 2 hours and it turned out so juicy and delicious. Will definitely be making again!
Katie Youngs says
This was my first time using Greek yogurt as a marinade. It was excellent and the recipe was delicious!
Paige says
This chicken was exceptionally tender…and also juicy! Really, really good and I’ll make it again.
Keith says
Making 6 bone in breast and 4 bone in thighs. How does this affect the cookin times. Should they be put in at different times?
Brianna says
I have gotten a whole chicken and cooked it in quarters and cooked everything at the same . Definitely use a thermometer to ensure doneness.
Megan Ellam says
I love how simple this recipe is but loaded with flavour. Thanks for such a great recipe.
veenaazmanov says
Looks soft,moist and mouth melting delicious. Would love to give your recipe a try this weekend.
Farrukh Aziz says
Our weeknight dinner was incomplete without this! I love the addition of Greek yoghurt and the lemon flavor was awesome! 🙂
Aya says
This was so good! The addition of yogurt makes the chicken so tender and tasty. I will definitely be making this again.
Naïby says
The marinade really helps to give a better texture. And I love the lemony flavor.
Debbie says
This Lemon Garlic Greek Yogurt chicken is amazing! I love the tang of the greek yogurt , it goes perfectly with all of the other of flavors. Easy family meal, thanks !
LaKita says
Love how simple this chicken recipe is and leaving the marinade on made it so tender and juicy!
Loreto and Nicoletta says
This is a great new idea for a chicken dish! Love the marinade and I can only imagine the flavor of the cumin garlic and a big fan of paprika is absolutely amazing!😋 nice crispyness on the chicken by the way!😛🥰
Amy Liu Dong says
A perfect chicken recipe to make for our tonight’s dinner. It looks delicious, and it makes my mouthwatering!
Hollie says
Thanks for the great recipe!!
Safiya says
Love chicken marinated in yogurt. Looks fantastic!
Allyssa says
Thanks a bunch for this amazing recipe! Fam really loves it and it’s super easy to make! Will surely have this again, well done! Highly recommended!
Sara LaFountain says
This chicken was delicious! The marinade made the chicken so moist and amazing. Will be making again soon!
Rita says
Should the skin be removed for bone-in chicken?
Brianna says
Nope, I prefer the skin on when I make bone in chicken. But, you can also remove it if you wish.
Teresa Davis says
So simple yet so perfect. My first time using Greek yogurt as a marinade – it does make the chicken tender and juicy.
Brianna says
I’m so glad you liked it!
JulieAnn says
Terrific! A recipe just as I like it- a few key ingredients, simple, easy-to-follow instructions(after all the verbiage & ads), and a delicious turnout. I deleted the cumin, but my husband is surprised I followed the rest! I’m going to add it to my Christmas menu for the less traditional Italians , topping with some dried tomatoes, parsley, and turmeric for the red, green, and gold theme.
Brianna says
Julie, I’m glad to hear you liked this chicken and I’m thrilled it will make it onto your holiday table!