No matter what cooking method you use, this Greek chicken marinade is a great way to tenderize and season your next meal. Bursting with citrus and fresh herbs, this marinade only takes minutes to prepare and can be used on any cut of chicken.
When it comes to chicken, you can’t go wrong with a good marinade. This Greek chicken marinade is one of my favorites. The lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs make this dish so light and refreshing! The marinated chicken can be ready to go in as few as 30 minutes.
Some people view marinades as an “extra step” in prep work, but I actually think it makes preparing a meal so much easier. It does require factoring time into your meal planning, but it allows you to go straight to cooking when you are ready. Sometimes trying to cook while watching my kids or spending time with family is difficult, so I love that I can break up the cooking process into smaller chunks of time.
Recipe Ingredients
This Greek marinade recipe uses basic ingredients, most of which you likely already have on hand. Here is everything you will need:
- Olive Oil – This will act as a base for the marinade and keep the exterior of the chicken from drying out.
- Red Wine Vinegar – One of the key ingredients that adds loads of flavor.
- Zest of 1 Lemon – The citrus really makes this recipe so refreshing.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed is preferred but bottled juice can also be used.
- Granulated Sugar – Adds just a hint of sweetness.
- Minced Garlic – Pairs so well with the lemon and herbs.
- Dried Oregano, Salt & Pepper – for seasoning.
- Fresh Thyme, Rosemary, and Parsley – These chopped herbs provide so much freshness and flavor. If you have everything else and don’t want to run to the store, you can substitute the fresh herbs for dried herbs.
How To Make Greek Chicken Marinade
This could not be more simple to prepare, simply whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl until well combined. Place the marinade into a gallon ziplock bag with your chicken and mix around. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 6 hours.
How To Grill Chicken Breasts
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 375 to 400°F). Add wood chunks or chips to the hot coals. Place the chicken directly on the grill grates and allow to cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, depending on the size of meat. If you prefer, you can cook the chicken over indirect heat, for about 20-30 minutes depending on the size.
Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, remove from the grill and allow to rest a few minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
This marinade is ideal for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. This recipe will yield about 1 cup of marinade which is perfect for about 2 pounds of chicken. If you plan on using larger cuts of meat or more quantity, you may consider doubling the recipe.
I recommend allowing the chicken to sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes. You want the chicken to have time to absorb all of the great flavors.
I don’t suggest marinating longer than 6 hours in the refrigerator. This recipe contains a lot of citrus and will ultimately make your chicken mushy if it sits too long.
It is not recommended to reuse a marinade. After coming in contact with raw meat, leftover marinade can contain harmful bacteria and needs to be disposed of properly.
What to serve with Greek Chicken?
Here are a few great options to serve alongside Greek marinated chicken.
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Twice Baked Potatoes
Greek Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest approximately 1 medium lemon
- ¼ cup lemon juice juice of about 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons freshly chopped thyme
- 2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
- Chicken: can use 2 pounds of boneless chicken, 4 pounds of bone-in chicken, or a whole chicken.
Instructions
- Whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl until well combined.
- Place into a gallon sized ziplock bag with your chicken of choice and mix around. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to 6 hours) to marinate.
- When ready to cook, preheat your grill to 400°F and add wood chunks or chips to hot coals.
- Place chicken directly on the grill grates and allow to cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side. Once chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, remove from the grill.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pat chicken with a paper towel before adding to marinade to remove excess moisture beforehand.
- If cooking bone-in chicken leg quarters in the oven at 425°F, it should take about 25-30 minutes to reach 165°F.