Quick Steps Overview: Greek Chicken Recipe
- Set up the cooking station
- Make the marinade
- Prep the chicken
- Marinate chicken
- Let it rest
- Cook the chicken
- Serve with your favorite sides
What to give your chicken dinner a delicious twist? Today I’m going to talk about one of my favorite chicken marinades that infuses the classic Greek flavors of yogurt, lemon, garlic, and oregano, taking your chicken game to the next level.
Not only is this super easy to make but you probably have everything you need to make this in your pantry already. Perfect for summer-grilling, but also for year-round indoor cooking, you can grill this chicken, bake it or even cook it on the stove. Either way, you will end up with juicy, flavorful chicken breasts that you will not be able to get enough of! Greek food is delicious and healthy. Read up on 8 Scientific Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet.
Before I get into the recipe, let me quickly take you through a list of tools you will need to make this easy recipe easier.
Dalstrong Shadow Black 8" Chef Knife
1. Tools You Will Need To Make Greek Chicken
1. Chef Knife 8”- Gladiator Series | Dalstrong
This knife is essential for anyone who loves spending time cooking magic in the kitchen. From the heat of a professional kitchen to a simple meal for one, this chef knife works tirelessly beside you, complimenting your style.
Pros:
- The painstakingly hand-sharpened blade will help you glide through meal prep and slice up the Greek Chicken breast.
- The tall blade height gives knuckle clearance to assist with food preparation and other chopping activities.
- The knife cleans easily and is low maintenance.
Cons:
- If you are not used to using chef knives, you might want to get started with a shorter 6” blade before you try working with longer blade lengths.
- The wooden handle of this knife might not be everyone’s preferred choice as some would want a resin or metal handle for better grip.
2. Boning knife 6.5”- Crusader Series | Dalstrong
This knife is an unrivaled addition to the arsenal of any butcher or fishmonger. If you prep meat like chicken breasts often, it only makes sense to invest in this knife as it allows you to trim fat and maneuver around tricky edges with ease.
Pros:
- The narrow blade shape and slightly flexible design allows you to glide smoothly along the contours of bones, effortlessly separating meat without tearing it.
- The single-piece steel blade and handle clean easily and retain grip throughout the cooking process.
- The full groove near the spine reduces friction and stuck on food while lightening the knife for improved balance.
Cons:
- The all-steel look of this knife might be too minimal for someone who has a slightly bold sense of style.
- The steel handle might not be to everyone's taste. If you want a visually stunning handle, I recommend this Valhalla boning knife. If you want a more classic look, the Quantum 1 boning knife might be more to your taste.
3. 9” Frying Pan and Skillet- Oberon Series | Dalstrong
This Aluminum-core cookware is designed to help you cook anything quickly and evenly. Whether you are baking the chicken breast or stove-cooking it, this skillet will be by your side when you’re cooking your favorite meal.
Pros:
- This skillet boasts impeccable conductivity to quickly heat up and evenly cook a full range of culinary delights, from thick proteins to delicate omelets.
- The pan comes with a see-through glass lid. This allows you to keep a check on the food cooking inside.
- Not only is this skillet dishwasher safe, but is also compatible with any kind of stovetop, it is oven and broiler safe up to 500 degrees and it is also refrigerator safe.
Cons:
- While this 9” skillet is perfect for cooking a meal for 1 to 2 people, you might want to get a bigger skillet if you are cooking in large quantities.
- The all-steel handle of this skillet may get hot on use, which might not make this everyone’s first choice.
4. Infinity Series wood-fiber Cutting Board- Obsidian Black | Dalstrong
Thoughtfully handcrafted with premium wood-fiber engineering, this cutting board is every chef’s die-hard ally in the kitchen. It is tough enough to take on all your chopping, slicing, and serving needs while adding an element of sophistication to your cooking adventures.
Pros:
- The eco-friendly wood-fiber composite construction makes this board highly functional. This board makes a great base for slicing up the Greek chicken breasts once they are cooked.
- The non-slip silicone feet of the cutting board keep it firmly grounded in the middle of the rigorous cutting action.
- This board is low maintenance and the smooth surface does not absurd water, making it both dishwasher safe and mold resistant.
Pros:
- While the wood fiber material is highly durable, it is not intended for hot surfaces so be sure not to place hot pots or pans on top of this board.
- In a compact kitchen, this board might be a little difficult to store as it is pretty big.
5. American Legend- Professional Chef’s Kitchen | Dalstrong
Here’s a lightweight apron designed to function as smoothly as it looks. Shield yourself from unwanted kitchen messes and cook worry-free.
Pros:
- Featuring an adjustable neck strap, easy-tie waist, genuine leather neck accent, 3 front pockets, and one stash pocket, this apron is built to last a lifetime.
- The premium material used to make this apron is super durable.
- The apron also comes with a water repellent coating and is as stylish as an apron can get.
Cons:
- If you are looking for an apron to wear when you set up the BBQ, you might want to go with something with more pockets and made of heavy-duty material. In that case, you can take a look at this apron.
- While this apron is perfect for someone cooking at home, I suggest you go for an apron made of sturdier material if you need to wear it in a professional kitchen.
2. Recipe: Greek Chicken
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Greek Chicken |
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Prep Time 5 mins |
Cook Time 15 mins |
Marinating 30 mins |
Total 50 mins |
Servings 4 |
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Ingredients List |
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Chicken |
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Ingredients |
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Cooking Instructions |
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| 1. Set up the cooking station |
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| 2. Make the marinade |
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| 3. Prep the chicken |
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| 4. Marinate chicken |
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| 5. Let it rest |
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| 6. Cook the chicken |
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| 7. Serve with your favorite sides |
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3. Nutritional Facts
Calories: 261kcal
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 24g
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
Monosaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 73mg
Sodium: 424mg
Potassium: 452mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 2g
Vitamin A: 114IU
Vitamin C: 3mg
Calcium: 24mg
Iron: 1mg
4. Pro Tips For Making The Best Greek Chicken
- Grill the chicken:
Heat your grill to high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill the chicken for 2-4 minutes per side, covered, until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove from grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing it up.
- Cook it on the stove:
Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for about 5-8 minutes per side, until beautifully browned and cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Bake it in the oven:
Place the chicken in a shallow baking dish. Top each chicken breast with a pat of butter, or with a teaspoon of olive oil. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F, then bake for about 18-20 minutes. For best results, always let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Tenderize the chicken:
Marinating the chicken helps keep it juicy while cooking. If you put acid (like vinegar) it helps tenderize the meat. You can also use a meat tenderizer. The pounding also really helps tenderize the meat, so do not skip that step.
- Marinate the meat:
Marinating it overnight works really well for easy prep meals like this one, but 30 minutes is also okay if you’re short on time. It is not safe to re-use a marinade that’s been in touch with raw meat or poultry. ALWAYS discard used marinade and make a fresh batch the next time you want to marinate something.
- Reserve marinade:
If you only have 60 minutes to marinate your chicken reserve ¼ cup of the marinade before adding the chicken and store separately. Brush the reserved marinade over the cooked chicken before serving to make the flavor pop.
- Freezing the chicken:
This recipe freezes well. I recommend you label it with the use-by date and then freeze it immediately. You can store the chicken in a ziplock bag or even a glass container. You can freeze the chicken in the marinade for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the fridge overnight and then use as directed above.
5. Alternate Recipe: Greek Chicken With Vegetables
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 LB Chicken Thighs
- 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided)
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- 3 Cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- Kosher Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- ½ LB Asparagus (ends removed)
- 1 Zucchini (sliced into half-moons)
- 1 lemon (sliced)
Cooking Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano. Whisk until combined and then add the chicken thighs. Toss it to coat.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours.
- When you’re ready to cook the chicken, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat the remaining olive oil.
- Season both sides of the marinated chicken with salt and pepper.
- After salting and peppering it add chicken skin down and pour in the remaining marinade.
- Sear the chicken until it becomes golden and crispy. This will take about 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and add asparagus, zucchini, and lemons to the skillet.
- Transfer the pan to the oven and cook until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. This should take about 15 minutes.
- Slice the chicken and serve with your favorite sides.
6. What To Serve With Greek Chicken?
- Greek yogurt: On a lazy day this is the perfect side to serve with your Greek chicken. All you’ve got to do is add a big dollop of Greek yogurt to your plate. Its bright and creamy texture gives this dish a refreshing change.
- Tzatziki: This is a Greek yogurt variation, where you add cucumbers, fresh dill, lemon juice, garlic, vinegar, salt, and pepper to creamy Greek yogurt, mix it up well and serve.
- Hummus: This is a silk-smooth dip that is creamy, nutty, tangy, smokey, bright, and garlicky. You can have this plain, with roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Greek Lemon Rice: Basmati rice infused with fresh lemon and dill with butter and feta make a great side dish.
- Simple Greek Salad: Toss in your favorite greens with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and olives, and drizzle with a lemon vinaigrette.
- Pasta salad: Add some pillows of cheese-stuffed tortellini, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy bell peppers. Crispy cucumber, red onions, kalamata olives, and salty creamy feta to a bowl. In this throw in some sun-dried tomato pesto or basil-garlic pesto sauce. Mix it up and you have a killer salad to serve on the side.
- Greek Orzo Pasta Salad: This light yet filling pasta is loaded with al-dente orzo pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, charred caramelized sweet corn, red onions, olives, and salty creamy feta. Drizzle herb vinaigrette generously over these veggies, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
7. Ways To Serve Marinated Greek Chicken
Here are some fun ways to serve this delicious Greek chicken, especially if you have some leftovers.
- Greek Chicken Gyros: Wrap sliced Greek chicken, cucumber-dill tzatziki, crispy veggies, and feta in warm pita bread.
- Greek Chicken Gyro Bowl: Top your favorite grain like rice or quinoa with chopped Greek chicken and your favorite toppings like shredded greens, red onions, white beans, tomatoes, cucumber, and corn. For the dressing, you can add some hummus, tzatziki, feta, or even harissa sauce.
- Crockpot Greek Chicken: Add the chicken coated in the marinade to a lightly greased slow cooker. Surround it with sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, roasted bell peppers, and artichokes. Cover and cook on high for 1½ - 2 hours or 3-4 hours on low. Insert an instant-read thermometer to make sure it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Once done, garnish with fest and enjoy!
- Greek Chicken Sandwiches: Greek chicken is very flavorful and when sliced thinly, it is perfect for sandwiches. Place the slices between 2 toasted buns with all your favorite toppings, throw in a little hummus and/or tzatziki and enjoy!
- Greek Chicken Wrap: Spread a light layer of hummus down the middle of a tortilla and top it with some chopped chicken, tomatoes, artichokes, olives, thinly sliced red onions, juicy tomatoes, feta, and lettuce. Drizzle some tzatziki and serve.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
What is Greek chicken made of?
It is a yogurt-marinated chicken that is beautifully tenderized and infused with garlic and oregano flavors. Typically the ingredients used to make this chicken are Greek yogurt, lemon juice (and zest if you like a little extra tang), garlic, olive oil, oregano salt, and pepper.
What is Mediterranean chicken made of?
This is sauteed chicken simmered in a sauce of tomatoes, olives, white wine, garlic, and herbs.
How do you grill Greek chicken?
Start by marinating the chicken. When you are ready to eat, heat your grill to high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill the chicken for 2-4 minutes per side, covered, until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove from grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing it up.
How long can you marinate chicken in yogurt?
Chicken breasts or thighs should be marinated for at least 2 hours to soak up some of the flavors. For chicken breasts, you can marinate them for up to 8 hours. Chicken thighs can be marinated for up to 24 hours.
How do I know when my chicken is done?
Chicken breasts are done via any cooking method when they register 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
