Greek Chicken Marinade

Tender, juicy, the most aromatic chicken made with a simple Greek Chicken Marinade. This marinade infuses chicken with amazing combination of lemon, garlic, and herb flavors. This marinade is very simple and after a couple of hours of marinading, the chicken will be incredibly tender and flavorful.

This Greek Chicken will go perfectly with some Grilled Vegetables or Grilled Potatoes. 

GREEK CHICKEN MARINADE

One of the best chicken recipes to grill is Greek chicken. The aroma of this chicken marinade is intoxicating from the second you open the bag, to the first bite you take. 

Even with simple ingredients like lemon, garlic, herbs, oil, and vinegar, this chicken marinade is like an explosion of flavor. Best part it that most people already keep these ingredients on hand at all times. So any day, you can throw some thing with this marinade in leave it overnight. You can also prepare it in 5 minutes in the morning and leave it in the fridge for dinner. 

Any chicken can be used with this marinade, white meat and dark. Dark chicken meat is naturally more tender and juicy than chicken breast, so that is usually my top choice to cook. Chicken breast does come out much more tender and juicy with this marinade because the acidity from lemon and vinegar breaks down and softens the tissue.

Whichever cut of chicken you choose and whatever method of cooking you choose, this Greek chicken marinade will make it fantastic.  

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HOW TO MAKE GREEK CHICKEN MARINADE

Chicken – any cut of chicken can be used for this marinade but dark meat is much more tender, juicy, and flavorful than breast meat. I prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs because it takes much less time to cook. 

Lemon – pick ripe, juicy lemons to get the most lemon juice out of it. You can also pop a lemon in a microwave for 5-8 seconds to warm it up and it will give out more juice. 

Garlic – garlic is an important ingredient in a Greek marinade so use fresh white garlic and press it to release all flavors and oil. 

Oil – I usually pick a mild tasting oil like canola oil or vegetable oil so the flavor doesn’t interfere with other ingredients. 

Vinegar – go for white wine vinegar because it goes best with lemon juice and herbs. 

Herbs – the most important herbs that I always add to Greek dressing and marinade are dill weed, parsley, and oregano. 

How To Marinade Chicken

It will take 5 minutes to make Greek chicken marinade. All you have to do is to combine all the ingredients in a jar, close the lid tight, and shake it like Ricky Martin just came on the radio. 

Place chicken in a large zip-lock bag and pour the marinade all into the bag. Close the bag, letting all the air out, and lay it either in a large plate or a sheet pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator and marinade for at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours. 

HOW TO COOK GREEK CHICKEN 

On The Grill

My favorite way to cook Greek chicken is on the grill. When the marinated chicken gets infused with the smoky grill flavor, it is out of this world. 

Start the coals and make sure to preheat the grill first. Brush the grill grate with some oil to grease it and place chicken on the grill. Close the lid and cook for about 5-6 minutes. Open the lid and use metal tongues to flip the chicken. Close the lid and cook for another 5-6 minutes. 

Exact time for cooking the chicken will depend on the size of the thighs so use a meat thermometer to take internal temperature. Chicken is cooked when the thermometer reads 165° in the thickest part of the meat.

Note: chicken breast will take a bit longer and chicken on bone will take even longer than that. 

On Stove Top

Greek chicken can just as easily be done in the pan on stove top. Cook chicken over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side, until internal temperature reaches 165°.

Note: chicken breast will take a bit longer and chicken on bone will take even longer than that. 

Baked 

Marinated Greek chicken can also be baked in the oven. Place chicken with some marinade into a greased baking dish and bake at 375° until internal temperature reaches 165°.

In the oven, chicken can also be roasted on a baking sheet without the marinade. Grease the rimmed baking sheet or line it with aluminum foil fist. Bake at 425° for about 15 minutes. 

Note: chicken breast will take a bit longer to bake and chicken on bone will take even longer than that.  

SOME MORE RECIPES TO TRY

The Ultimate Dry Rub

Greek Salmon Salad

Southwest Chicken Marinade

Greek Chicken Salad

Bacon Wrapped Grilled Brussels Sprouts

Grilled Corn on the Cob

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Greek Chicken Mariande

Tender, juicy, the most aromatic chicken made with a simple Greek Chicken Marinade with amazing combination of lemon, garlic, and herb flavors.

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Greek

Keyword chicken, chicken marinade, Greek chicken, grilled chicken

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 14 minutes

Marinade 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 19 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 553 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (marinade will be enough for 2-3 lbs)

Marinade:

• 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
• 3 ripe lemons juice only
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 6 garlic cloves pressed
• 3 tbsp fresh minced dill weed
• 2 tbsp fresh minced parsley
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
• salt

Instructions

1. Set aide enough time for the chicken to marinade. Marinading chicken will take at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours.

2. Combine all ingredients in a jar, close the lid tight, and shake it like Ricky Martin just came on the radio.

3. Place chicken in a large zip-lock bag and pour the marinade all into the bag. 

4. Close the bag, letting all the air out, and lay the bag down either in a large plate or a sheet pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator and let it marinade.

Cooking the chicken:

1. Start the coals about 20 minutes before ready to cook the chicken and make sure to pre-heat the grill first.

2. Brush the grill grate with some oil to grease it and place chicken on the grill. Close the lid and cook for about 5-6 minutes. Open the lid and use metal tongues to flip the chicken. Close the lid and cook for another 5-6 minutes. 

3. Exact time for cooking the chicken will depend on the size of the thighs so use a meat thermometer to take internal temperature. Chicken is cooked when the thermometer reads 165° in the thickest part of the meat.

Recipe Notes

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have a slight variation.

Nutrition Facts

Greek Chicken Mariande

Amount Per Serving

Calories 553 Calories from Fat 342

% Daily Value*

Fat 38g58%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 215mg72%

Sodium 207mg9%

Potassium 696mg20%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 45g90%

Vitamin A 255IU5%

Vitamin C 47.1mg57%

Calcium 60mg6%

Iron 2.8mg16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.