Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

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This recipe for greek yogurt marinated chicken is made with lemon, garlic, honey and a pop of Auntie Nonos Firecracker Sea Salt.

  

I have been using greek yogurt in dips and as sauces for at least 10 years now. But until recently, I did not know that greek yogurt also makes a great marinade. 

Actually, greek yogurt marinade is one my newest obsessions. My other new obsession is flavored salts and oils. Actually, that might be 3 things, but who is counting really?!

Ok enough talking and more cooking. Let’s get started.

Ingredients

Here is all you’ll need to make this greek yogurt chicken. Pretty basic but full of flavor.

Chicken Legs/Thighs: I prefer the combo Greek Yogurt – 2%  Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 Lemons, juiced Lemon zest  Auntie Nonno’s Firecracker Sea Salt   Honey Paprika  3-4 cloves garlic, chopped Dried Oregano – Fresh Oregano

The only ingredient in this list you might not be familiar with is the Firecracker Sea Salt. This is my new favorite seasoning. I literally put it on everything from eggs to avocado toast, meats fishes and veggies.

Firecracker sea salt is an all natural seasoning which includes chipotle, Jalapeno and scorpion chiles. It is also vegetarian and vegan friendly. 

How to make Greek Yogurt Chicken

Well now that you know my secret ingredient it’s time to get cooking. And the process could not be easier. 

All you need to do for this recipe is mix, marinate and bake. 

MIX

To get started, in a bowl combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, seasonings, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, Auntie Nonno’s Firecracker sea salt, and oregano (fresh or dried). Mix together. 

Now add the chicken and coat well. You can use a lidded mixing bowl or even a self sealing storage bag for this part. 

MARINATE

The next step couldn’t be easier – place the chicken in the marinade and refrigerate anywhere from 30 minutes up to 4 hours. 

BAKE

When the chicken is done marinating preheat your oven. Remove the chicken from the bowl and place onto a greased baking sheet. 

But before placing into the oven, it’s good to take the chill out of the meat by letting it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. 

Roast the chicken legs and thighs uncovered, anywhere from 30-45 minutes (or until chicken reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit.) 

Once the Greek yogurt chicken is cooked through, I plate and serve with fresh lemon wedges and fresh oregano leaves.

Does not get easier than that!

What do I need to know about greek yogurt chicken 

If you are a little surprised that greek yogurt makes a good marinade for chicken, you are not alone. Here are a few things you might be wondering:

What does yogurt do for chicken 

When I first heard about combining greek yogurt with chicken, I was pretty skeptical. But then I did a little research and found that the lactic acid in greek yogurt helps tenderize the meat without breaking it down so much making it mushy, like other acids. 

What type of yogurt is good for marinating

The brand of yogurt used is up to personal preference, but most important thing to be sure of is that your using unflavored, plain yogurt. That goes for both regular yogurt and greek yogurt.

I prefer to use 2%, plain greek yogurt. In this recipe I use lemon juice for both flavor and to thin out the greek yogurt because it is a little thicker than regular yogurt.

 

How long should chicken marinate in yogurt

I’ve seen varying articles on how long to marinate this chicken. Some recipes call for overnight, while others say all you need is 15 minutes.

It’s been my experience that 30 minutes is not quite enough. I personally find a minimum of 2 hours works best. 

Also, keep in mind…. you can over marinate with yogurt. If that happens, the chicken can become mushy rather than tender. 

Should I rinse off the yogurt before I cook the chicken

No! The yogurt literally melts away into the chicken as it cooks and that’s where all the flavor is. 

 

5 Star Greek Yogurt Chicken Recipe

My family has given this Greek Yogurt Chicken recipe 5 stars! It’s packed with flavor and so easy to make.  I hope you and your family will love it just as much.  

Happy Cooking!

xo