Description
A silky yogurt and lemon marinade infuses chicken with bright citrus zing, garlic warmth, and oregano aroma. Grill or bake for tender, juicy slices bursting with savory spice.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 to 2 pounds)
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, paprika, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended and smooth, creating a flavorful marinade.
2. Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the yogurt marinade over the chicken, ensuring that each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap.
3. Refrigerate the marinating chicken for at least 1 hour, but ideally for 4 to 8 hours. This allows the flavors to penetrate the chicken and keeps it moist during cooking.
4. Preheat your grill or oven to a medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C). If using a grill, oil the grates to prevent sticking.
5. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess marinade drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
6. If grilling, place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the chicken is cooked through. If baking, place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until fully cooked.
7. Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps retain the juices for a more tender bite.
8. If desired, garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Serve alongside your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, rice, or a salad.
Notes
This marinade also works well with steak or shrimp if you want to mix it up.
For a spicier kick, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the marinade.
The marinated chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grill or Bake
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
