Greek Yogurt Chicken

Super juicy Greek yogurt marinated chicken made with chicken breast or thigh. Easily grill, oven bake, or air fry this tangy, lemon-herb yogurt chicken.

Quick and easy greek yogurt chicken marinade

Say hello to your new go-to chicken recipe. This greek yogurt chicken is super juicy, tangy, and healthy. The lemon-garlic-herb flavor combination is so delicious. Not to mention you can cook this chicken recipe in the oven, on the grill, or in an air fryer.

This yogurt-marinated chicken is unlike other recipes – it’s tastier and healthier. You can make the Greek yogurt marinate with 0%, 2%, or 5% Greek yogurt, making it low fat and high protein. Plus, this recipe fits in the gluten-free and keto diets.

Anyways, I can’t wait to hear what you think about my favorite greek yogurt chicken recipe. It’s great to serve guests and is sure to be on your weekly rotation. I love serving it with a side of these crispy and tender air fryer baby carrots.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• This greek yogurt chicken is extra juicy, moist, and tender.
• This recipe is healthy, keto, and low fat.
• It is packed with a tangy lemon and garlic flavor.
• Use chicken breasts or chicken thighs in this easy weeknight dinner recipe!
• You can grill, oven bake, or air fry greek yogurt marinated chicken.
• Perfect for meal prep since it keeps for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Everyone will love this chicken since it is the perfect for a summer cookout recipe.
• Try this air fryer chicken thighs for another flavorful recipe!

Ingredients & substitutions

This Greek yogurt chicken marinade calls for super basic ingredients found at any grocery store. You’ll need chicken breast or thighs, plain Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic cloves, and a few spices. Here is a list of all the ingredients, so you are prepared – scroll to the bottom of this blog post to see the entire recipe card with measurements.

• Chicken: I used chicken breast since it is lean and high in protein, but you can also use chicken thigh for extra juiciness. You need about 1 ½ pounds.
• Greek Yogurt: Use plain Greek yogurt for the best result. It makes the chicken super tender, moist, and juicy when marinated. I used 2%, but 0% and 5% work too. You can use any type of plain yogurt you like.
• Lemon: You need the juice and zest. It makes this delicious chicken tangy.
• Garlic Cloves: Honestly, garlic makes everything taste better. You need freshly minced garlic for the best flavor, but you can also use garlic powder if needed. Check out the recipe card at the bottom for instructions.
• Spices: To season this delicious Greek yogurt chicken, you need a mixture of paprika, cumin, and onion powder – it is the perfect blend.
• Salt & Black Pepper: For seasoning.
• Cilantro or Parsley: You can use either, whichever you prefer. This adds to that delicious lemon-herb flavor.

Kitchen tools required

You only need a few kitchen utensils to make this greek yogurt marinated chicken. Clean-up is so easy! Here is a list of exactly what you need for this recipe:

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Ziplock Bag or Reusable Storage Bag
• Tongs
• Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon and 1 Tablespoon.

How to make greek yogurt chicken

Greek yogurt chicken is so easy to make on the grill or in the oven. It’s juicy, tender, and super flavorful. Here are step-by-step directions and pictures for visual reference:

Step 1:

First, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, paprika, cumin, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cilantro in a mixing bowl.

Step 2:

Next, pat the chicken breasts, or thighs dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then place them in a gallon-size resealable ziplock or reusable bag and pour yogurt marinade over the chicken.

Step 3:

Then, seal the bag carefully while pressing out any excess air. Then, rub the chicken breasts with the yogurt marinade to coat them well. Let the chicken marinade for at least 45 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Step 4:

Finally, decide which cooking method you are going to go with: outdoor grill, indoor grill, or oven.

How to bake greek yogurt chicken:

You can also bake this greek yogurt chicken. Simply preheat your oven the 425°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Evenly space the chicken breasts out on the baking sheet, then bake for 20 – 25 minutes until the thickest part of the chicken has reached 165°F.

If you are using chicken thighs, you only need to bake them for 15 – 20 minutes until the thickest part of the chicken has reached 165°F.

How to grill greek yogurt chicken:

You can grill this Greek yogurt marinated chicken on an outdoor grill or on a grill pan indoors on the stove. Here is how you do both:

Outdoor Grill: First, preheat the grill to 425°F (medium-high heat). Make sure to clean your grill grates and lightly grease them by spraying or dipping paper towels in oil and spreading them across the grill. Then, grill the chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and the thickest part of the chicken has reached 165°F.

Indoor Grill Pan: First, preheat a grill pan on the stovetop to medium-high heat and lightly grease. When ready, add chicken breasts and grill for about 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and the thickest part of the chicken has reached 165°F.

Tips for making greek yogurt marinated chicken

Don’t add too much lemon juice. This is my #1 tip for this recipe. Adding too much lemon juice to the Greek yogurt marinate will break done the chicken and can make it grainy.

Double-grease the grill grates. This chicken tenders to stick to the grill since it’s coated in Greek yogurt. So make sure to grease the grill with extra oil and only flip the chicken once.

Let the chicken rest before cutting into it. This is so important if you want your chicken to be extra juicy. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before cutting into it, so the juices get locked inside.

Marinate the chicken for as long as possible. If you are in a rush, you can marinate this Greek yogurt chicken for 45 minutes. For best results, let it marinate for 12 – 24 hours.

Try air frying or baking it. I gave you oven and grilling directions, but you can also air fry this chicken at 370°F for 8 minutes, then flip and air fry for another 5 – 7 minutes. Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

How to air fry Greek yogurt chicken:

Easily air fry Greek yogurt marinated chicken at 370°F for 7 – 9 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. If you are using chicken thigh, air fryer for 4 – 5 minutes per side. Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thigh?

You can also use boneless chicken thighs for this recipe. Simply prepare the Greek yogurt marinade, let the chicken thighs marinate for at least 45 minutes and up to 24 hours, then grill or oven-bake them. You will need to reduce the cooking times of both. Grill chicken thighs for 4 – 5 minutes on each side and bake chicken thighs for 10 – 12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is 100% gluten-free.

Is this recipe keto?

Greek yogurt marinated chicken is keto.

Should I poke or cut holes in the chicken before marinating it?

No, you don’t need to poke or cut holes in the chicken before marinating it. This recipe is super flavorful, and the greek yogurt marinade will soak into the chicken regardless.

Does it keep well for meal prep?

Greek yogurt chicken is ideal for meal prep. You can store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

What temperature to grill chicken thighs?

You should grill boneless chicken thighs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (medium-high on the grill) for 4 to 5 minutes per side. If you have bone-in chicken thighs, grill them at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.

How long to bake chicken at 425°F?

Set the oven to 425°F and bake chicken breasts for 20 – 25 minutes and chicken thighs for 15 – 20 minutes until the thickest part of the chicken has reached 165°F.

What’s the best temperature to grill chicken breasts?

You should grill chicken breasts at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (medium-high on the grill) for 5 to 7 minutes per side.

How long should I grill chicken breasts?

Heat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat, which is about 400°F. Then, grill the chicken breasts for 5 to 7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

How to store and reheat leftovers:

Storing: Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating: You can reheat the chicken in an air fryer or microwave. If using an air fryer, heat to 350ºF and reheat for 3 – 6 minutes until the chicken is warm. If you are in a rush, you can microwave them for 30 – 90 seconds until warm. I recommend covering it in a damp paper towel to trap the moisture inside.

If you loved this recipe, try these next!

• Greek Chicken Meatballs with Homemade Tzatziki
• Goat Cheese & Pesto Crusted Chicken
• Balsamic Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
• Grilled Honey Soy Chicken Skewers
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. In full disclosure, by purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!

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