Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade
by Sommer Collier — on Sep 15, 2025 This rich and tangy Greek yogurt marinade makes the most tender and juicy chicken infused with mouthwatering Mediterranean flavors like fresh lemon, dried oregano, and plenty of garlic! Cook yogurt marinated chicken on the grill or baked in the oven for an easy protein to enjoy in wraps, on salads, or with your favorite sides.
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
Whether you’re trying to make amazing Greek chicken for salads, gyros, or rice plates, this fabulous yogurt marinade makes the most incredibly tender and zesty Greek chicken you’ve ever tasted.
You can marinate chicken for Greek dishes with just lemon and olive oil, similar to our simple and delicious harissa chicken and this EVOO-based Greek chicken marinade. However, adding Greek yogurt to the mix tenderizes the chicken and offers a brilliant tangy flavor. And bonus points: The layer of yogurt that stays on the chicken makes this main dish even more protein-packed!
Why You’ll Love This Greek Marinade
- Zesty Mediterranean flavor – The foundation of this recipe includes your favorite Greek food flavors you already know and love, like lemon, oregano and of course, plenty of fresh garlic.
- Quick and easy prep – Throw the marinade together in about 10 minutes, add the chicken, and then let the meat marinate in the fridge for several hours while you go about your day. Easy-peasy!
- Cook your way – Grill or bake the greek yogurt marinated chicken in the oven… Either method is quick and convenient.
This simple recipe is a surefire family-friendly hit for a flavorful and more exciting dinner. And the Greek chicken also terrific for including in your meal prep plans for weekday lunches!
Ingredients and Tips
- Chicken – We are using boneless and skinless thighs in this recipe, but you can certainly use boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer!
- Greek yogurt – Your choice of full fat, low fat or no fat yogurt. (Full fat does have the most rich flavor, in my opinion.)
- Olive oil – Use a quality extra virgin olive oil for the best consistency and taste.
- Lemon – We’re using both fresh lemon juice and zest.
- Garlic – Again, fresh minced is best!
- Spices – You only need dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper to give the yogurt marinade full-bodied Mediterranean flavors.
Recipe Variations
- Bone-in chicken – Sure, you can use bone-in chicken with or without the skin. Chicken on the bone will need additional cook time: About 15-17 minutes per side for grilling, and 35-40 minutes in baking.
- Spicy – Add a generous amount of crushed red pepper flakes to give the marinade a nice kick of heat.
- Other proteins – Obviously, we love using this marinade with chicken… But you can also use it for marinating lamb or beef! Just note that the cook times will need to be adjusted.
How to Make the Best Chicken Marinade with Greek Yogurt
Tip for Success – You can cook the marinated chicken either on the grill or baked in the oven. Both are quick and easy, and take about 15-20 minutes. So just go with whichever method you prefer!
Find the full Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade recipe with detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Keep marinated grilled chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing – The cooked chicken freezes very well! Transfer cooled chicken pieces to an airtight plastic ziploc bag or other freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheating – Warm the chicken in the microwave in short bursts at 50% power, until the meat is heated throughout. You can also bake it in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, but this is more likely to make the chicke more dry.
Serving Suggestions
We love how versatile grilled or baked yogurt chicken is to enjoy as a main protein! Serve it for dinner with cozy sides like fluffy rice or low carb cauliflower rice, or lemon and garlic Greek potatoes.
Pair the chicken with orzo pasta salad or a fresh Greek village salad (Horiatiki) loaded with cucumber and tomatoes to intensify the Mediterranean flavors!
Marinated Greek chicken is also fabulous to load into a Mediterranean chicken rice bowl, fresh green salads with olives and cherry tomatoes, gyro wraps with pita bread and veggies, or added in a chunky Mediterranean salad for lunch. And don’t forget a side of tzatziki sauce!
Frequently Asked Questions
For the most flavorful meat you should marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours before grilling. Although it can technically be in the marinade in the fridge for up to 24 hours, I recommend marinating the chicken for no more than 12 hours. After half a day the meat can start to become over-tenderized and soft.
It will have the best, most fresh flavor if the Greek yogurt marinade is made right before adding the chicken. With how easy it is to whip up in a few minutes, you really don’t need to worry about making it ahead of time.
Yogurt Chicken Marinade Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless chicken thighs and/or chicken breasts
- 10-11 ounces plain Greek yogurt 2 individual cups
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice 2 juicy lemons
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 6-8 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and pepper
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Set out a large 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Zest the lemons, then cut them open and juice them. Add the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, dried oregano, minced garlic, paprika, crushed red pepper, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper to the pan. Mix well.
- Place the chicken pieces in the marinade and turn them over to coat on all sides. Cover the baking dish with plastic.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator and marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours, but up to 24 hours.
- To Grill: Preheat the grill to medium heat, approximately 350-400°F. Once the grill is hot, cook the chicken pieces for 5-6 minutes per side.
- To Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chicken pieces on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Keep marinated grilled chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing – The cooked greek chicken freezes very well! Transfer cooled chicken pieces to an airtight plastic ziploc bag or other freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheating – Warm the chicken in the microwave in short bursts at 50% power, until the meat is heated throughout. You can also bake it in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, but this is more likely to make the chicken more dry.
