Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

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!

 

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

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:

1. 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.
2. 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!
3. 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 Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken you will need these kitchen items on hand (paid links):

• mixing bowls
• measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting Board
• chef’s knife
• Whisk
• large skillet (or indoor or outdoor grill)
• Instant Read Thermometer

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!

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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!  

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Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this delicious recipe. You can find more delicious recipe videos on our YouTube channel.