Best Greek Chicken Marinade (Printable Version)
Lemon-herb marinade for juicy chicken.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Marinade
01 -
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 -
1/4 cup olive oil
03 -
Juice of 2 lemons
04 -
Zest of 1 lemon
05 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 -
1 teaspoon dried thyme
08 -
1 teaspoon salt
09 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ For Garnish
10 -
Fresh parsley, chopped
11 -
1-2 lemons, sliced (for grilling)
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined.
02 -
Place the chicken breasts in a large zip-lock bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure all pieces are well coated. Seal the bag tightly or cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight for the best flavor.
03 -
When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade (discard the remaining marinade). Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and nice grill marks appear. If using lemon slices, place them on the grill during the last few minutes to caramelize.
04 -
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice the chicken, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve with the grilled lemon slices on the side.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
This marinade also works wonderfully with chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins.
02 -
If you don't have a grill, you can cook the chicken in a grill pan or even bake it in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes.
03 -
For a complete Mediterranean meal, serve with Greek salad, pita bread, and tzatziki sauce.
04 -
The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavor it will absorb - but don't go beyond 24 hours as the acidity from the lemon can start to break down the chicken.
05 -
Store any leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.