Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

This Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken is so tender and packed with flavor. It does require a few hours of marinating, but is definitely worth the wait. The marinade is full of garlic, shallot, lemon, and spices.

This greek yogurt marinated chicken has become a meal prep staple at my house! I love to slice it for salads, wraps, and bowls.

If you need a dairy-free option, try my Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade or Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs.

No time for marinating? Try my simple and easy Dutch Oven Chicken Breast or my smothered French Onion Chicken Breasts. My Easy One Pot Chicken and Rice Skillet is delicious as well.

Check out more Easy Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh Recipes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chicken with Greek yogurt is super tender and full of flavor. The tangy yogurt pairs well with the lemon juice and vinegar.
The fresh garlic and shallot take this Greek yogurt chicken marinade to the next level.
The dry spices, specifically the turmeric and paprika give the chicken a beautiful and bright orange color. Salt and pepper enhance the other flavors even more.
This recipe is great for meal prep because it can be used in a variety of dishes.
Garlic Greek yogurt chicken thighs are super moist.
The chicken is broiled at the end to add color and more of a grilled/charred flavor, but it is made completely in the oven.
The marinade can be made in advance to make dinner time even easier.
This recipe is an easy & healthy dinner idea. It is gluten-free and low carb/keto.
There is no need to pound the chicken. Just throw it in a bag, marinate, and you’ll be ready to cook in no time!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Ingredients needed for greek yogurt chicken in glass bowls.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Substitute for white or red wine vinegar.
Shallot: Substitute for half of a red or white onion.
Smoked Paprika: Be sure to use smoked paprika instead of regular. It has a much richer flavor.
Chicken Thighs: Substitute for boneless skinless chicken breasts. Dark meat tends to be more moist and tender so I prefer it.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

How to Make Greek Yogurt Chicken

Quick Overview

Make the yogurt marinade.
Marinate the chicken.
Bake and broil.

Step by Step Instructions

A 4 photo collage showing how to make the yogurt marinade and coating chicken.

Be sure to seal the bag completely.

Step 1: Add all of the marinade ingredients into the bowl of a large food processor.

Step 2: Pulse until smooth.

Step 3: Place the chicken thighs into a zip top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken.

Step 4: Tightly seal the bag and massage the chicken so it is all coated in the marinade. Marinate for 2-12 hours.

A 2 photo collage showing baking the greek yogurt chicken.

Broil the chicken to give a little char.

Step 5: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chicken thighs in a single layer so they are not overlapping, shaking off excess marinade.

Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes. Broil on high for 2-3 minutes or until slightly blackened.

Recipe Serving Suggestions

Here are some of the best ways to serve this Greek chicken:

Garnish: fresh dill, parsley, lemon slices, & feta cheese
Salad: My Panera Greek Salad pairs perfectly.
Wrap: Load a pita up with your favorite veggies and tzatziki.
Bowl: Use Instant Pot Basmati Rice as the base and the same toppings as the Greek salad.

Expert Tips & Variations

Use fresh garlic. Fresh adds a much more intense flavor compared to powdered or granulated.
Make the marinade in a food processor. This ensures all of the ingredients get incorporated.
Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours. This time allows the yogurt and all of the aromatics to tenderize and flavor the chicken. However, I do not recommend marinating it for more than 12 hours.
Use an instant read thermometer. Chicken thighs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165-170 degrees. Using a thermometer ensures you do not over or under cook the it.
Broil. The high heat adds some char which deepens the flavor and color of the chicken.
Grill. You can grill these thighs over medium high heat on a grill pan on the stove or on an outdoor grill. Be sure to clean the grill grates before starting. Grill chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board or plate and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Greek yogurt chicken thigh with fresh dill on top.

Recipe FAQs

Does Greek yogurt tenderize chicken?

Yes. Similar to citrus juice or vinegar, the acid in the yogurt makes the chicken more tender.

What does putting chicken in yogurt do?

It adds flavor and tenderizes the chicken. The thickness of the yogurt also helps the spices adhere to it better.

Is it okay to cook with Greek yogurt?

Yes! Greek yogurt is great for cooking and baking. It adds fat, flavor, and moisture like sour cream or buttermilk.

How long can chicken marinate in yogurt?

I recommend only marinating it for 12 hours max. After that, the chicken can get too salty or mushy.

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Cropped overhead photo of a street corn chicken rice bowl with grilled chicken, corn salsa, crema, Cotija cheese, and lime wedges.

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If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and/or comment! I always appreciate your feedback. Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram.

Greek Yogurt Chicken Recipe

Brianna May

This Greek Yogurt Chicken is so tender and packed with flavor. It does require a few hours of marinating, but is definitely worth the wait. The marinade is full of garlic, shallot, lemon, and spices.

Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Servings: 4 people

Equipment

Meat Thermometer
Baking Sheets

Ingredients

3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup olive oil
3 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar*
1 lemon juiced
2 small shallots*
10-12 cloves garlic
1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
1 Tablespoon dried oregano
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs*

Instructions

Add all of the marinade ingredients into the bowl of a large food processor.
Pulse until smooth.
Place the chicken thighs into a zip top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken.
Tightly seal the bag and massage the chicken so it is all coated in the marinade. Marinate for 2-12 hours.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chicken thighs in a single layer so they are not overlapping, shaking off excess marinade.
Bake for 25-30 minutes. Broil on high for 2-3 minutes or until slightly blackened.

Notes

Apple Cider Vinegar: Substitute for white or red wine vinegar.
Shallot: Substitute for half of a red or white onion.
Smoked Paprika: Be sure to use smoked paprika instead of regular. It has a much richer flavor.
Chicken Thighs: Substitute for boneless skinless chicken breasts. Dark meat tends to be more moist and tender so I prefer it.
Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours. This time allows the yogurt and all of the aromatics to tenderize and flavor the chicken. However, I do not recommend marinating it for more than 12 hours.
Use a meat thermometer. Chicken thighs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165-170 degrees. Using a thermometer ensures you do not over or under cook the chicken.
Broil. The high heat adds some char which deepens the flavor and color of the chicken.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Greek Yogurt Chicken

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Substitutions