Say hello to a Greek feast on a plate with this Greek Lemon Chicken. It’s where tenderness, juiciness, and flavor collide! Picture succulent chicken breasts, enveloped in a savory Greek yogurt sauce, soaking up all the goodness from a savory marinade. With just a handful of ingredients, it’s not just quick and meal-prep friendly; it’s an oh-so-tasty experience that’ll transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean!
Table of Contents
- Greek Lemon Chicken That Will Guarantee Your Guests Clean Their Plates
- What Makes Greek Food Greek?
- Simple Ingredients that Create Bold Flavor
- Kiss Dry Chicken Goodbye When You Learn How to Make Marinated Greek Lemon Chicken
- Tips and Tricks for Success
- What to Eat with Greek Lemon Chicken
- How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Common Questions About This Greek Lemon Chicken Recipe
- More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Greek Lemon Chicken Recipe Recipe
Greek Lemon Chicken That Will Guarantee Your Guests Clean Their Plates
If you’ve ever had trouble with chicken dishes turning out dry and bland, this Greek lemon chicken is going to knock your socks off! Marinaded overnight, and cooked quickly on the stove, it’s always juicy and full of savory goodness in every tender bite.
One of our go-to dinner recipes, this lemon garlic chicken is easy to make and bulk to feed the whole family and pairs fabulously with a wide variety of sides. Plus, leftovers store well for easy meals you can just reheat throughout the week.
Winner, winner chicken dinner!
What Makes Greek Food Greek?
Greek food is identifiable by core ingredients that can be found in nearly every dish. These include items like olive oil, herbs, tomatoes, cheese, beef, pork, lamb, fish, shrimp, and wine.
Although influenced by Greek cuisine, American Greek is different from authentic Greek food. Every region has its own specialty dishes and ingredients, and common staples include large salads, mezze platters, and sweets like phyllo pastries.
This said, this Greek lemon chicken recipe draws inspiration from traditional Greek food using lots of herbs, olive oil, and lemon but cannot be considered completely authentic.
Simple Ingredients that Create Bold Flavor
Believe it or not, just a handful of simple ingredients come together to create showstopping flavor. Here’s what you need:
- Chicken – We like to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts as they have a neutral flavor that takes on the flavor of the marinade nicely.
- Olive Oil – This is used to form the base of the marinade, tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with flavor and also helps sear the chicken breasts, locking in moisture as they cook.
- Garlic Cloves – Fresh, whole garlic cloves are best.
- Lemon – If possible, we recommend using fresh lemon juice, but bottled varieties will also work.
- Seasonings – Paprika, salt, black pepper, and Greek seasoning combine to create a bold, savory taste with just a hint of spice.
- Greek Yogurt – Use plain, full-fat Greek yogurt for the best taste.
Kiss Dry Chicken Goodbye When You Learn How to Make Marinated Greek Lemon Chicken
This lemon garlic chicken recipe requires a little bit of planning, but it’s simple to prepare and is one hundred percent worth the wait!
- Prepare the Marinade. Combine the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, seasonings, and Greek yogurt in a mixing bowl, mixing until smooth.
- Marinate the Chicken. Place the chicken breasts in a sealable bag or a shallow dish, and pour the yogurt marinade on top, coating each piece completely. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and transfer the chicken to the fridge.
- Cook the Chicken. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinaded chicken, searing both sides until a golden brown crust forms, and allow the chicken to cook completely.
- Rest. Transfer the lemon garlic chicken to a plate, and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Serve. Drizzle any remaining yogurt sauce on top, slice the chicken into pieces, and enjoy warm!
Tips and Tricks for Success
We make this easy Greek lemon chicken recipe on repeat, and as a result, we’ve discovered a few tips that can make or break your dinner.
- Allow Plenty of Time to Marinate. You’ll want to allow at least 30 minutes for the chicken to marinate in order for it to tenderize and absorb the flavor. However, if possible, we highly recommend letting it sit in the fridge overnight. You’ll be able to taste the difference!
- Let the Chicken Come to Room Temperature. Before you cook, let the chicken sit out and come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes. This helps it cook more quickly and evenly.
- Use a Meat Thermometer. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken to ensure that it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and is safe to eat.
- Use a Splatter Screen. This covers the chicken while it cooks, preventing oil from popping off the skillet and making a mess or burning your hands!
- Cover the Chicken. If you find that the chicken is seared on the outside but not cooking through, cover it with a lid or foil to allow it to cook completely without becoming tough or dry.
- Don’t Rush. We know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but you’ll want to set the cooked chicken aside for at least five minutes in order for the natural juices to redistribute. This is what keeps the meat tender and juicy!
What to Eat with Greek Lemon Chicken
Transform this lemon garlic chicken into a complete meal when you pair it with your favorite sides! For instance, we love to serve it with luscious options like our lemon Greek potatoes, Greek rice bake, Greek salad, and pita bread.
Feel free to add extra sauces and toppings, too! Some savory additions include hummus, tzatziki, pickled onions, and fresh herbs.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
As mentioned, this quick Greek lemon chicken recipe makes for a great
- To Store: Once cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container, and place them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to five days.
- To Freeze: Place leftovers in a freezer-safe container, and keep them frozen for up to three months.
- To Reheat: Let your frozen chicken thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, warm it in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a dash of water as needed to prevent it from drying out.
Common Questions About This Greek Lemon Chicken Recipe
The lactic acid in the yogurt helps break down any tough tendons in the chicken, creating a fall-apart tender dinner.
Like yogurt, the acidity in lemon helps tenderize chicken while adding a vibrant, refreshing flavor.
The USDA claims that chicken should not be marinaded longer than two days as it can break down and turn to mush. However, a good rule of thumb is to let it marinate for no longer than 24 hours.
Sure! Just adjust the cooking time as needed, keeping in mind that chicken thighs tend to cook much quicker than breasts.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
If this Greek Lemon Chicken has you craving more flavor-packed meals, you’re in for a treat – don’t miss out on the deliciousness waiting for you below!
- Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Potatoes
- The Best Baked Tandoori Chicken
- Easy Shawarma Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
- Middle Eastern Chicken
Greek Lemon Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves chopped
- 1/2 lemon juiced (about 2 Tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Greek seasoning
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, chopped garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, black pepper, Greek seasoning, and Greek yogurt. Mix well to create a creamy and flavorful marinade.1/4 cup olive oil, 5 garlic cloves, 1/2 lemon, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 Tablespoon Greek seasoning, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the yogurt-based marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally, overnight for maximum flavor infusion.4 boneless
- When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the refrigerator, and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. This helps the chicken cook more evenly. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil to the hot pan to prevent sticking. Carefully place the marinated chicken breasts onto the hot pan. Sear the chicken on one side for about 4-5 minutes, or until a golden-brown crust forms. Flip the chicken breasts and sear the other side for an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken breasts. They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat. If needed, cover the pan with a lid or foil to help the chicken cook through while maintaining moisture.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the pan, and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it juicy and tender.
- Slice the rested chicken breasts and arrange them on a serving platter. Serve any remaining yogurt sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tastes like plain chicken. Marinated it for over an hour and even added more seasonings and ingredients than it called for. Very disappointing
We’re sorry to hear this, Madison, but appreciate your feedback! We hope you try some of our other recipes!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Made this for dinner…we pan fried some chicken and also put two pieces inside the air fryer. Both came out so good. Although the air fryer chicken came out juicier than yhe pan fried. We put the chicken over a hearty salad: black beans, corn, cucumber, purple onion. sweet peppers, pepitas, dried cranberries and mixed salad greens…topped with avocado oil and it was a huge hit! This chicken is going into the weekly rotation 😋
Sounds delicious! We’re go glad you enjoyed the recipe, Anna. Thank you for trying it out! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Hi! I’m going to make this but just want to confirm something. Your recipe says 1 tsp. salt (kosher or sea salt?) but the Greek seasoning recipe you posted also has salt in the ingredient list. Should we use salt in both places? Thank you!
We do, but feel free to adjust to taste! We hope you enjoy. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
what is included in the greek seasonings?
This is a great homemade recipe!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
The recipe says to serve remaining yogurt sauce on the side. Surely you don’t mean the yogurt that the raw chicken marinated in? I don’t see anywhere in the recipe to put some aside before marinating.
Love your recipes girls
Thank you so much, Angela!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Delicious chicken!! This will be a staple in our house :o). I’d recommend a little pounding of the chicken beforehand to make it easier to cook evenly.
what is in Greek seasoning?
Primarily dried herbs! Here is a great recipe.
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Hi! Can the chicken be cooked in an air fryer?
Sure! Just be careful not to overcrowd the basket, working in batches as needed. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa