This Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken is packed with flavour – tangy, tender, and juicy, and grilled to perfection! The BEST yogurt marinated chicken that’s high in protein and easy to make – even for a weeknight meal!
Grilled chicken is a staple food in our house – we make it at least once a week to enjoy with steamed veggies or on a salad for lunch, and it’s a healthy source of protein that makes a great main for dinner during the week. This Greek yogurt marinade is so flavourful and is so easy to make – it levels up basic chicken thighs in the BEST way!
We have loved this Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken recipe for YEARS! Here are just a few reasons why we LOVE it so much:
- It’s EASY to MAKE: Whip up the marinade in just a few minutes and coat the chicken well in a covered bowl in the fridge.
- It’s a HEALTHY protein source: Greek yogurt is high in protein, making the chicken even higher in protein. It’s packed with healthy fats and nutrients too!
- It’s TENDER and FLAVOURFUL: The Greek yogurt marinade is not only super flavourful, it’s also a great way to make the chicken meat extra tender and juicy! The acid from the yogurt tenderizes the chicken gently and the fat helps it retain its moisture and soak up all the delicious flavour.
Yogurt marinated chicken is exactly what it sounds like – chicken that’s been soaked in a flavourful mixture of yogurt, herbs, and spices before cooking. Marinating chicken always adds flavour and tenderness but marinating chicken in yogurt takes it to the next level! The magic lies in the acidity of the yogurt that gently breaks down the proteins in the meat, tenderizing it without making it mushy, and adding creaminess and flavour.
The creamy texture of whole-milk yogurt also helps the spices and other flavourful ingredients infuse the chicken, creating a beautifully caramelized and flavourful crust once it hits the grill (or the skillet, if you’re grilling indoors).
Marinating chicken in yogurt is the kind of kitchen trick busy home cooks love – it’s a low effort, high reward marinade that takes almost no time to throw together, so it’s totally weeknight-friendly!
Follow these PRO tips and tricks to make the BEST Yogurt Marinated Chicken you’ve ever tried!
Choose good-quality chicken thighs that are boneless and skinless. Trim off any excess fat before marinating. If you’re using previously frozen chicken, be sure to let them thaw completely before marinating.
Dry herbs have a ton of flavour and they don’t burn on the grill or in the pan like chopped fresh ones do.
Marinating for 2 hours to 12 hours will optimize the flavour, but if you’re in a rush, you can marinate for 30 minutes or even 15 minutes.
This chicken tastes great off the grill but it also works well cooked in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop – just be sure to cook to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Rest the chicken on a plate under some foil for 5 minutes before serving. This will keep the chicken nice and juicy on the inside!
If you are having trouble with this Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken recipe, here are some solutions to common problems:
Make sure the chicken is only lightly coated when removed from the marinade. If the yogurt is too thick, it creates a crust that burns during cooking. Make sure to oil the grill or pan before cooking.
Use full fat Greek yogurt for thicker consistency as it coats the chicken well and gives a fuller flavour. Low-fat or non-fat Greek yogurt can be too watery and doesn’t coat the chicken in the same way full fat yogurt does.
The chicken can be mushy if it has marinated too long. The acids break down the proteins in the chicken if marinaded over 24 hours. Marinate the chicken for anywhere between 15 minutes and 24 hours.
Don’t forget the dry herbs and spices! The chicken will be bland if only Greek yogurt is used for the marinade.
Over-cooking the chicken leads to it becoming tough and dry. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness (165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius is the correct internal temperature). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, covered, to let the juices set before serving.
To make this Marinated Chicken you will need these ingredients (paid links):
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (approximately 8)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- a few pinches each of salt and black pepper
Try these simple variations for additional flavour for this Greek Yogurt Chicken marinade recipe!
- Indian Tandoori – Add in fresh ginger, fresh garlic, lemon juice, garam masala, turmeric, paprika, and cumin into the Greek yogurt for an Indian tasting marinade. Serve the marinated chicken with basmati rice or rice pilaf and naan bread.
- Shawarma – Use these spices – garlic powder, ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, turmeric, chili powder – and lemon juice stirred into the Greek yogurt for a shawarma tasting chicken marinade. Serve chicken with tabbouleh salad, warm pitas, naan or flatbread and hummus.
- Cilantro Lime – Use lime juice instead of lemon juice and add in cilantro, garlic, cumin, a dash of cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to the Greek yogurt. Serve the Cilantro lime chicken with grilled corn and rice.
- Sun-dried Tomato and Feta – Stir chopped sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, garlic, oregano, and lemon juice in to the Greek yogurt. Serve the marinated chicken with orzo pasta salad.
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Time needed: 2 hours and 25 minutes
Follow these steps to make the BEST Greek Yogurt Chicken!
- Trim the fat.
Trim the fat off the chicken thighs.
- Mix the marinade.
In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, garlic, olive oil, honey, oregano, basil, thyme, cumin, paprika, dill, lemon juice (and zest, if you want), salt, and pepper.
- Whisk until combined.
Whisk together the marinade ingredients well until combined.
- Coat the chicken.
Toss the chicken in the bowl with the yogurt mixture until well coated.
- Cover and chill.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours (30 minutes is sufficient if you’re in a hurry). You can also transfer the chicken and marinade to another container, if desired.
- Grill the chicken.
When you’re ready to grill, add the chicken to a hot grill and cook for about 7-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Discard any excess marinade.
- Cook the chicken in pan (option).
Alternatively, pan fry the chicken in a hot skillet over medium-high heat with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil until the chicken reaches the same internal temperature, cooking on medium-high for at least 6-7 minutes per side.
- Let it rest.
Let the chicken rest on a plate (cover with foil) for about 5 minutes before serving.
Every marinade needs a little bit of acid and the lactic acid in Greek yogurt is the perfect gentle tenderizer for chicken. It makes the chicken nice and tender and juicy.
Yes! Marinating chicken adds very few calories but increases the flavour of the chicken immensely, making it more satisfying.
You can marinate chicken for 30 minutes or up to 12-18 hours in the fridge (or overnight). Any longer than that and you run the risk of the meat becoming tough.
It is not recommended. Greek yogurt gives a thicker consistency for the marinade so it coats the chicken well so the flavour stays in the chicken while it cooks.
If you choose another cut of chicken, like boneless skinless chicken breasts or bone-in chicken, make sure to not over-cook it. Bone-in cuts will need longer cook times. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness so that the chicken stays tender and juicy.
This Greek yogurt chicken pairs well with a side of pita bread, roast vegetables or a Greek salad. Serve with Tzatziki sauce.
Store the cooked chicken in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Yes, simply place the chicken on a baking sheet or sheet pan that’s been lightly greased and bake it for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You might want to broil the chicken for a minute or two at the end of the cooking time to get some extra caramelization.
Yes, feel free to cut the chicken into smaller pieces and add them to a skewer to make kebabs. Grill them until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
We hope you love this chicken recipe as much as our family does! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite way to enjoy chicken? We’d love to know!
More Tasty Chicken Recipes
- Creamy One Pot Chicken Enchilada Pasta
- Thai Chicken Spiralized Zucchini Salad
- Ginger Soy Grilled Chicken
- White Wine and Herb Marinated Chicken
- Crispy Oven Fried Chicken
- Skillet Pesto Caprese Stuffed Chicken
- Honey Garlic and Lime Chicken
- Baked Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken Recipe,
- Easy Oven Roasted Barbecue Chicken Recipe
Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this delicious recipe. You can find more delicious recipe videos on our YouTube channel.
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Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (approximately 8)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- a few pinches each of salt and pepper
Recipe: Instructions
- Trim the fat off the chicken thighs.
- In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, garlic, olive oil, honey, oregano, basil, thyme, cumin, paprika, dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk together the marinade ingredients well until combined. Toss the chicken well in the marinade in the bowl until well coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours (30 minutes is sufficient if you're in a hurry). You can also transfer the chicken and marinade to another container, if desired.
- When you're ready to grill, add the chicken to a hot grill and cook for about 7-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Alternatively, pan fry the chicken in a hot skillet with a little bit of olive oil until the chicken reaches the same internal temperature, cooking on medium-high for at least 6-7 minutes per side.
- Let the chicken rest on a plate (cover with foil) for about 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe: Notes
Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
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Could these be cooked in an air fryer?
Yes, just make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius.
I’m trying this with bone-in skinless thighs in the oven. At what temp and for how long please?
We’re sorry, we couldn’t tell you as we’ve never tried that before. If you try, please let us know.
It’s a rare thing when my husband cleans his plate…rarer still when he asks if we have leftovers for dinner the next day. I think it’s safe to say this was a winner!
We’re so happy you and your husband enjoyed our recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
I tried this simple recipe and it tasted fabulous.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Love Your work Keep Going!
Thanks!
Wow! This information has been very helpful thanks for sharing this post.
Thank you for your feedback!
thank you for this awesome post. It really shows your immense knowledge and research on this topic. Please keep sharing.
Thank you for your feedback!
nice recipe thanks for sharing this. I will try this at my home.
Let us know how it turns out!
A delicious and healthy recipe for anyone looking to add a new twist to their chicken dishes.
The use of Greek yogurt as a marinade in this recipe not only adds flavor but also results in juicy, tender chicken every time. A must-try for any food lover.
We’re happy you like our recipe!
Thank you for sharing this blog . It’s really helpful for me.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Looks tasty! Will definitely make it by myself.
Let us know how it turns out!
This blog is definitely helpful and informative. Great blog by the way and thanks for sharing these!
We’re so happy you are enjoying our recipes! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Good one! Thank you for sharing such an amazing post I found it really very useful and interesting
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback! We’re happy to know that our readers find our content useful and interesting.
This is a really awesome and helpful article for me. I really appreciate your work for providing such useful information, thank you so much!
We’re so happy you enjoy reading our blog! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Could I freeze this marinated?
Sure!
Can we cook in the oven instead of grilling or pan frying? Thank you.
Yes, you can cook it in the oven until the internal temperature of the chicken is 74 degrees Celsius
Really informative! I am always looking for new recipes. Want more delicious Paleo recipes
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback! We’ll add paleo recipes to our to do list!
I’m going to try this recipe tonight. Can I use chicken breast instead?
White chicken meat (chicken breast) is less fat and less flavourful than brown meat and will dry way faster in the cooking process, so for best results I wouldn’t recommend it. You could try, but you’d have to be very careful not to overcook it.