Marinated Greek Yogurt Chicken

Greek yogurt marinated chicken on a platter.

This Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken turns out juicy, flavorful, and perfectly tender thanks to a creamy yogurt marinade loaded with lemon, garlic, and warm spices, and works beautifully grilled, baked, or air-fried.

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Marinate1

Total Time1 40

Servings: servings

Calories: 323kcal

Ingredients

2½ pounds chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs I used chicken breast here but cut it in half lengthwise to get the most flavor
¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
¼ cup lemon juice about 1 lemon
¼ cup olive oil
5 garlic cloves minced (or 1 tablespoon minced garlic)
1 tablespoon kosher salt or 2 teaspoons table salt
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Make the Marinade

In a large bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, coriander, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper until smooth and well combined.
Add the chicken and toss until fully coated in the marinade.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably 4–12 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness.
Before cooking, remove the chicken from the marinade and gently scrape off any excess. Too much marinade can burn during cooking.

Grilling Instructions

Preheat the grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates.
Grill the chicken, flipping halfway through cooking, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5–10 minutes tented loosely with foil before slicing and serving.

Baking Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet or sheet pan with foil or parchment paper and lightly grease with olive oil.
Arrange the chicken in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
Bake for about 35-45 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking time may vary depending on thickness.

Air Fryer Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Arrange the chicken in a single layer and cook for 15-18 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Flip halfway through cooking.

Video

Notes

Marinate the chicken for at least an hour for a deeper flavor and extra tenderness.
Scrape off excess marinade before cooking so the yogurt does not brown too quickly.
Cook the chicken just until it reaches 165°F to keep it juicy and tender.
Let the chicken rest for several minutes after cooking so the juices stay inside the meat.

Nutrition