Greek Chicken Marinade

Why Make This Recipe

Greek Chicken Marinade is a simple and flavorful way to infuse your chicken with vibrant Mediterranean tastes. This marinade uses ingredients like lemon, olive oil, and fresh herbs, giving the chicken a zesty twist that makes it perfect for grilling. Whether you’re having a backyard barbecue or cooking a weeknight dinner, this marinade is easy to make and brings a delicious punch to your chicken dishes.

How to Make Greek Chicken Marinade

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 to 3 breasts, or thighs)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (like parsley, oregano, and thyme)
• 1 and 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 large lemons (zest and juice)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally. Cover with plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness. Pat dry and place in a large resealable bag.
2. Zest and juice the lemons. Whisk together lemon juice and zest with honey, oregano, fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Reserve 2 tablespoons of marinade and refrigerate.
3. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, turn to coat, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
4. Preheat the grill to 400°F and lightly oil the grates.
5. Remove the chicken from the marinade, discard the marinade, and grill for 6 to 8 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Brush the cooked chicken with the reserved marinade, tent with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

How to Serve Greek Chicken Marinade

Serve the grilled chicken with sides like a Greek salad, rice, or pita bread. You can also add a yogurt sauce or tzatziki for an extra flavor boost. This dish not only looks beautiful but also tastes refreshing, making it a hit at any gathering.

How to Store Greek Chicken Marinade

If you have leftovers, store the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the marinated chicken before cooking. Just seal it in an airtight bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook it, thaw it in the fridge overnight first.

Tips to Make Greek Chicken Marinade

• Adjust the marinade ingredients to suit your taste. If you like it sweeter, add more honey. For extra zest, use more lemon juice.
• Make sure not to over-marinate the chicken; 2 hours is usually the maximum time to keep it tender.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.

Variation

For a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade. You can also substitute the chicken with shrimp or vegetables for a different twist.

FAQs

1. Can I use bone-in chicken instead of boneless?

Yes, you can use bone-in chicken, but it will take longer to cook.

2. Can I grill the chicken indoors?

Yes! If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan or broiler in your oven.

3. How do I know when the chicken is cooked?

Use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165°F for fully cooked chicken.

Greek Chicken Marinade

A flavorful Mediterranean marinade for chicken that includes lemon, olive oil, and fresh herbs, perfect for grilling.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean

Servings 4 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts About 2 to 3 breasts, or thighs

For the Marinade

• 1 tablespoon honey Adjust sweetness to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs Like parsley, oregano, and thyme
• 1.5 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 large lemons Zest and juice
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally, cover with plastic wrap, and pound to an even thickness.
• Pat dry and place in a large resealable bag.
• Zest and juice the lemons. Whisk together lemon juice and zest with honey, oregano, fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Reserve 2 tablespoons of marinade and refrigerate.
• Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, turn to coat, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Grilling

• Preheat the grill to 400°F and lightly oil the grates.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade, discard the marinade, and grill for 6 to 8 minutes or until cooked through.
• Brush the cooked chicken with the reserved marinade, tent with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Serve with sides like Greek salad, rice, or pita bread. For extra flavor, add a yogurt sauce or tzatziki. Adjust marinade to taste, and do not over-marinate the chicken.

Keyword Chicken Recipes, Easy Marinade, Greek Chicken Marinade, Grilled Chicken, Mediterranean Recipe