Greek Chicken Marinade | The Mediterranean Dish (2024)

Bring your chicken to the next level with this garlicky, lemony, herbaceous easy Greek chicken marinade! This versatile recipe works for any cut of chicken and any which way you cook it. From grilling the juiciest chicken breasts to weeknight-baked chicken thighs, this marinade will amp up the flavor with a delicious Greek twist.

I’m a bit of a last-minute cook, but sometimes a little planning is worth it and actually saves time in the long run. This Greek chicken marinade is one of those times!And this recipe could not be easier.

Marinade Flavor Makers

It's no secret that the Mediterranean Diet is a flavor-forward way of eating from more than 20 countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. Fresh herbs and quality spices. This Greek chicken marinade is a perfect example of how a well-stocked spice drawer combined with a few fresh herbs and citrus can really increase the flavor factor!

Ingredients for Greek Chicken Marinade Recipe

Nothing fancy here! Just simple pantry ingredients working together for a flavorful and aromatic sauce. You’ll need:

• Chicken: I especially love chicken thighs as they stay juicy and tender more easily, but you can use any cut you’d like with this recipe.
• Garlic adds a sweet and savory depth of flavor. If you want something more subtle try using Roasted Garlic.
• Dried oregano brings an aromatic quality that’s so classically Greek. You can use fresh oregano, but it’s not quite as potent. If you’re working with fresh oregano leaves, finely chop them and add about 2 tablespoons’ worth.
• Sweet paprika gives a subtle kick and pop of color. You can stock up at our shop, or substitute with another chili pepper like chili flakes or Aleppo pepper. You can also add a smoky layer with smoked paprika.
• Thyme and parsley leaves add freshness and enhance the aromatic qualities of the chicken. I wouldn’t substitute them.
• Extra virgin olive oil adds richness and helps to infuse the meat with flavor. Use a high-quality extra virgin variety, preferably Greek!
• Lemon zest and juice add acidity to lift the savory flavors. It will make the meat chewy if it’s left too long, so be sure to only marinate the meat for up to 8 hours if it’s a leaner cut like chicken breasts.
• Kosher salt and black pepper enhance the flavor.

How to Make this Greek Chicken Marinade Recipe

This is the definition of an easy chicken marinade! One tip before you get started: If you’d like to double the marinade as a serving sauce, make sure to reserve a ½ cup or so before you add the chicken. Here’s how it’s done:

Make the Marinade

• Make the marinade. To a large mixing bowl, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley leaves, and ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil. Zest in 1 lemon, then slice in half and squeeze in the juice. Season with a big pinch of salt and pepper (about ½ to ¾ teaspoon each). Whisk until well combined. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking (Remember: if you don’t plan to add salt and pepper directly to the chicken, then you want to make sure the marinade has enough flavor.)
• Add the chicken or chicken cutlets to the marinade. Use a pair of tongs to toss the 1 ½ to 2 pounds of chicken so it is well coated, then cover and refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours (or if you’re using chicken thighs, overnight is fine.) This is a very versatile recipe so you can roast, pan-sear, or grill the chicken as you’d like.

To Grill the Chicken

• Prep your grill. Lightly oil the grates and preheat your gas grill or an indoor griddle to medium.
• Grill the chicken. When the grill is nice and hot, arrange the chicken in one single layer over the heated surface. Grill for about 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Remove from the grill and tent with foil for 5 to 10 minutes before serving (this will bring up the meat to 165°F.)

To Bake the Chicken

• Get ready. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Prep the chicken (reserve the marinade). When I bake chicken breasts, I like to make them into cutlets first so they cook faster and more evenly. To do so, slice them in half along the equator, starting at the thicker side. (You can keep the pieces and breasts whole, you’ll just need to add an additional 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time to bring them up to 160°F.)
• Bake the chicken. Place the chicken in a single layer in a 9x13 baking dish and pour the marinade over top. Cover the baking dish with a large piece of foil and place in the hot oven for 10 minutes.
• Finish. Remove the foil (save for later) and bake until the chicken is fully cooked and is no longer pink in the middle (or it has reached 160°F), another 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover, and let rest for another 5 minutes. The chicken will come up to 165°F as it rests.

How Long to Marinate Chicken

Marinating chicken doesn’t need to be perfect–just let the chicken soak for a few hours and it’ll be just fine. For the best texture, though, there are few good rules of thumb when it comes to the age-old question of how long to marinate chicken:

• Chicken breasts: Marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes and no longer than 2 hours. Chicken breasts are a lean meat so they may become chewy from the lemon juice’s acidity if they’re left to marinate for too long.
• Chicken thighs and legs: These cuts can be marinated longer due to their higher fat content. Marinate for at least 1 hour, but ideally for 4 to 6 hours for deeper flavor.

What to Serve with Greek Chicken

My go-to with this Greek chicken is to add protein to traditional Greek salad, but the bright and savory Greek chicken marinade goes with just about any Mediterranean side, salad, or bread we have. You really can’t go wrong! But here are some favorite ways to build out a full meal:

• Something fresh and herby, like creamy cucumber salad or cucumber tomato salad.
• Something starchy, like pita bread, couscous or Greek lemon rice.
• Something saucy for drizzling! Like tzatziki or tahini sauce.

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