​Best Greek Yogurt and Lemon Marinated Chicken Recipe

​Best Greek Yogurt and Lemon Marinated Chicken Recipe

Why You Should Give This Recipe a Try

This Best Greek Yogurt and Lemon Marinated Chicken Recipe is a dish I have on repeat as one of my favorite easy weeknight dinners. With just a handful of ingredients, this recipe will transform your chicken into an absolutely delicious meal with very little prep and no fuss whatsoever.

Creamy Greek yogurt mixes with olive oil, garlic, honey, lemon juice, and oregano combine to create a tasty marinade that makes incredibly moist and juicy chicken. I make mine on a sheet pan in the oven, but I will definitely be trying it on the grill once the weather warms up. Mix the marinade, let the chicken sit a few hours in the fridge (or overnight during a meal prep session), and bake. It couldn’t be simpler! Pair with creamy mashed potatoes and a veggie (green beans or roasted asparagus pair well) and you have a complete meal. Add Best Greek Yogurt and Lemon Marinated Chicken Recipe to your go-to chicken recipes for an easy dinner the whole family will enjoy.  

Some of the best features of this recipe:

Best flavor: Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, and honey are a fantastic combination of light, fresh, Mediterranean flavors. The sweetness of the honey combines with the tartness of the yogurt and the Serve it for a delicious family dinner or for enjoying with friends at an outdoor meal. 

Moist: Chicken thighs cook in the marinade, holding in the juices for the most tender and moist chicken. 

Easy: The 6 simple ingredients get added to a bowl and mixed by hand. Add in the chicken and toss – with your hands. That’s it!

Quick: The marinade comes together in five minutes and, once the chill time is up, baking is just 30 minutes. Make the marinade the night before for a 30-minute meal.

As with all of my dishes, Best Greek Yogurt and Lemon Marinated Chicken Recipe is easy to make with no complex cooking techniques, no special equipment, and with simple ingredients you can find in any grocery store.

Recipe Ingredients

8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

​2 garlic cloves

1 tsp dried oregano

Juice & zest of one large lemon

Salt & black pepper

Extra lemon wedge (optional)

Helpful Tools

• Dry measuring cup
• Liquid measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• ​Citrus squeezer
• Zester
• Small bowl or cup
• Large bowl
• Wood spoon or silicone spatula
• Paper towels
• Tongs (optional)
• Plastic wrap
• Nonstick aluminum foil
• Sheet pan
• Instant read thermometer

Ingredient Notes

Chicken: I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they are moister and have so much flavor, more so than chicken breasts. I choose skinless so I feel good about eating the delicious sauce spread on top. 

Yogurt: This recipe uses Greek yogurt with 2% fat. Again, it makes me feel a little virtuous about eat the marinade, without sacrificing flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the ingredients. Start by mincing the two cloves of garlic. 

2. Zest the lemon.

3. Squeeze the lemon juice into a small bowl or cup.

4. Add the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, honey, and oregano to a large bowl. Stir together with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Try to eliminate the lumps in the yogurt. If the lumps are large, you can try breaking them up with a wire whisk. Set aside.

5. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. 

6. Lightly salt and pepper both sides of the chicken.

7. Add the prepared chicken to the marinade and toss until it is completely coated. You can use tongs but I find it easier to use my hands.

8. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least one hour and up to 24 hours.

9. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

10. Line a sheet pan with nonstick aluminum foil.

11. Transfer the chicken to the sheet. Do not wipe off the marinade.

12. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. The chicken is completely cooked when an instant-read thermometer placed into the thickest part reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

13. Serve individual portions with lemon wedges and squeeze the juice before eating – optional, but delicious.

Check out the printable recipe card with step-by-step directions for Best Greek Yogurt and Lemon Marinated Chicken Recipe, below.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Tips & Tricks

Marinating the chicken for longer than an hour increases the flavor and ensures tender chicken. Do not marinate for longer than 24 hours, however, as it will begin to break down the meat.

I have made this recipe without lining the sheet pan and it makes quite a mess. The extra marinade runs onto the bottom of the pan and burns, so be sure to line the pan.

Trying to make the most of your lemon juice? Try rolling it on the counter before squeezing or pop it into the microwave for about 15 seconds.

Chicken is one of my favorite dinner proteins – winner, winner chicken dinner and all that. Here are some of my favorites:

30 Minute Dinner: Easy One Pot Creamy Chicken Marsala

Easy One Skillet Creamy Tuscan Chicken Dinner

Easy Dinner: Layered Chicken Enchilada Lasagna Recipe

Easy Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes

One Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken with Orzo & Spinach