Greek Chicken Marinade

Enjoy the irresistible flavor of our Greek chicken marinade, turning your ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering dish.

Table of Contents

Greek Chicken Marinade Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How To Make This Greek Chicken Marinade Recipe
How To Serve
When to Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Immerse yourself in the flavors of the Mediterranean with our Greek chicken marinade recipe. This easy-to-make marinade transforms simple chicken breasts into a succulent and aromatic dish that’s perfect for any occasion.

Greek Chicken Marinade Ingredients

Greek Chicken Marinade raw ingredients that are labeled

The richness of the olive oil coats the chicken, while the minced garlic infuses it with a tasty aroma, and the honey adds a touch of sweetness.

But what truly sets Greek marinated chicken apart is the medley of dried herbs and spices. The dried parsley, oregano, thyme, and black pepper work together to create a savory result.

You’ll need:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1½-2 pounds, pounded to even thickness – approximately 1-inch thickness)
½ cup of olive oil
⅓ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
2 teaspoons of honey
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of dried parsley flakes
½ teaspoon of dried oregano
½ teaspoon of dried thyme
¼ teaspoon of black pepper

For Optional Garnish:

1 tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley
Small lemon wedges to squeeze onto the grilled chicken before serving

Substitutions and Additions

LEMON JUICE: Fresh lemon juice is best for this easy marinade.

CHICKEN BREASTS: If you prefer, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs for a slightly different flavor and texture.

OLIVE OIL: While extra virgin olive oil is not necessary for this marinade, you can experiment with different olive oil varieties for a unique twist.

HONEY: Substitute honey with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.

SPICES: Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your liking. You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat or fresh herbs like rosemary or basil for a fresh twist.

How To Make This Greek Chicken Marinade Recipe

Preparing the marinade is a simple process of mixing the ingredients together. Allow the chicken to soak up all of the yummy flavors before grilling it until cooked through and tender.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

You can grill this Greek marinated chicken on an outdoor gas grill. However, a charcoal grill, indoor electric grill, or gas stove top grill pan will all work for a cooking method.

You want to note that any of these methods will alter the total cooking time. Make sure that your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, at the thickest part, for doneness.

STEP ONE: Add the raw chicken breasts to a large zip-top freezer bag. Set aside.

PRO TIP:

If your boneless skinless chicken breasts are unevenly sized, you can use a meat mallet to gently pound them into an even thickness.

You may even need to trim the chicken of any excess fat that may have been left on the chicken when packaged. This ensures that your chicken pieces cook evenly.

STEP TWO: Add olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, honey, salt, dried parsley, dried oregano, dried thyme, and black pepper in a small bowl. Whisk to combine.

olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, honey, salt, parsley, oregano, thyme, and pepper whisked together

STEP THREE: Pour the Greek chicken marinade into the bag with the chicken breasts. Seal the bag and remove as much excess air from the bag as possible.

Be sure that the marinade evenly covers all the chicken breast pieces.

PRO TIP:

You can reserve a small amount of the marinade before adding it to the bag of chicken to brush over the chicken while grilling.

DO NOT use the excess marinade your chicken has been sitting in to marinate. The marinade with the chicken juices should be discarded.

marinade poured into a bag with the chicken

STEP FOUR: Place the bag of marinated chicken into the refrigerator to chill, and absorb the Greek marinade for a minimum of two hours or up to overnight.

STEP FIVE: Allow the marinated chicken to rest on the counter at room temperature while the grill preheats to medium-high, ranging between 400-425°F.

STEP SIX: Remove the marinated chicken breasts from the bag and discard the marinade.

Grill the Greek marinated chicken for eight to eleven minutes per side or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Place the grilled chicken onto a plate, lightly cover it with a piece of aluminum foil, and allow the chicken to rest for five minutes before slicing and serving.

How To Serve

Pair the flavorful chicken with a refreshing Greek salad or Greek pasta salad, a side of tzatziki sauce, and warm pita bread for a complete Mediterranean feast.

You can also use the marinated chicken in wraps, sandwiches, Greek chicken gyros, or chicken souvlaki to add a burst of flavor to your meals.

For a more formal dinner, serve it with roasted vegetables and couscous for an elegant Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Create a Greek-inspired platter with olives, feta cheese, hummus, and pita bread to accompany the chicken.

We’ve got plenty of other ways to infuse loads of flavor in your chicken. Check out our Fireball chicken and Diet Coke chicken as well.

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When to Serve

FAMILY BARBECUE: Fire up the grill for a family barbecue, and this Greek chicken marinade will be the star. It’s perfect for a casual outdoor gathering, and the flavors will have everyone asking for seconds.

DINNER DATE: Impress your significant other with a romantic dinner date at home. This recipe’s elegance and Mediterranean flair make it an excellent choice for a special evening.

POTLUCK PARTY: Heading to a potluck party? Bring along this marinated chicken, and you’ll be the hero of the party.

WEEKNIGHT DINNER: Short on time but craving something delicious? Whip up this Greek chicken for a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

Storage

We have a few handy tips for planning ahead and storing your Greek chicken.

MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the marinade a day ahead and let the chicken marinate in the fridge overnight for maximum flavor.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

IN THE FREEZER: If you have extra marinated chicken, freeze it in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating.

REHEATING: To reheat, you can use the microwave for a quick warm-up or reheat in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

Why We Love This Recipe

BURST OF MEDITERRANEAN FLAVOR: We adore this recipe for the way it brings the vibrant and robust flavors of the Mediterranean to our table.

EASY PREPARATION: With just a few simple steps, you can create a dish that looks and tastes like it’s straight from a Greek restaurant.

CROWD-PLEASER: Its bold flavors and tender texture appeal to a wide range of tastes, making it a go-to recipe for entertaining guests or pleasing your family.

overhead shot of Greek Chicken Marinade on a plate sliced into pieces

Our Greek chicken marinade is the secret to elevating your meals with a burst of Mediterranean flavors. Whether it’s the tangy zest of fresh lemon, the richness of olive oil, or the perfect blend of herbs and spices, this recipe has it all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use bone-in chicken for this Greek chicken recipe?

While bone-in chicken can be used, it will require adjustments to the cooking time. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Can I marinate the chicken for longer than overnight?

You can marinate it for up to 24 hours for even more flavor.

Can I grill this indoors?

Absolutely! You can use an indoor grill pan or a stovetop grill to make this recipe.

Is it necessary to use a meat thermometer?

While not necessary, a meat thermometer ensures the chicken is cooked to perfection without overcooking.

Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried ones?

You can use fresh herbs for a more vibrant flavor. Just remember to use about three times the amount of fresh herbs compared to dried ones.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply ensure that the ingredients you use are gluten-free, and you’re good to go.

Can I use this marinade for other meats?

Absolutely! This marinade works well with lamb, pork, and even seafood.

Can I prepare the marinade without honey for a sugar-free version?

You can omit the honey or use a sugar-free alternative.

What can I do with leftover marinade?

Do not use the marinade that the chicken has been sitting in. However, you can reserve a small amount before adding it to the chicken for brushing while grilling.

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Greek Chicken Marinade

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Enjoy the irresistible flavor of our Greek chicken marinade, turning your ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering dish.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 16

Total Time 18 5

Servings

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Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness – approximately 1-inch thickness (approximately 1½ to 2 pounds)
½ cup olive oil
⅓ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Garnish

1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
small lemon wedges, to squeeze onto the grilled chicken before serving

Instructions

Add the boneless skinless chicken breasts to a large zip-top bag. Set aside.
Add olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, honey, salt, dried parsley, dried oregano, dried thyme, and black pepper in a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
Pour the Greek chicken marinade into the bag with the chicken breasts. Seal the bag and remove as much excess air from the bag as possible. Be sure that all the chicken breast pieces are evenly covered by the marinade.
Place the bag of marinated chicken into the refrigerator to chill, and absorb the Greek marinade for a minimum of 2 hours or up to overnight.
Allow the marinated chicken to rest on the counter at room temperature while the grill preheats to medium-high (ranging between 400-425°F)
Remove the marinated chicken breasts from the bag and discard the marinade. Grill the Greek marinated chicken for 8-11 minutes per side or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Place the grilled chicken onto a plate, lightly cover it with a piece of aluminum foil, and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

You can grill this Greek marinated chicken on an outdoor gas grill. However, a charcoal grill, indoor electric grill, or gas stove top grill pan will all work for a cooking method. You want to note that any of these methods will alter the total cooking time. Make sure that your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, at the thickest part, for doneness.
If your boneless skinless chicken breasts are unevenly sized, you can use a meat mallet to gently pound them into an even thickness. You may even need to trim the chicken of any excess fat that may have been left on the chicken when packaged. This ensures that your chicken pieces cook evenly.
You can reserve a small amount of the marinade before adding it to the bag of chicken to brush over the chicken while grilling. DO NOT use the excess marinade your chicken has been sitting in to marinate. The marinade with the chicken juices should be discarded.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Rhadonda Sedgwick Creative Director
Sian Cox Photographer
Lenore Ortyl Editorial Director
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant
Angela Sessions Recipe Developer

Greek Chicken Marinade

Greek Chicken Marinade Ingredients

Substitutions and Additions

How To Make This Greek Chicken Marinade Recipe

How To Serve

Beer Marinated Chicken

Tuscan Chicken

When to Serve

Storage

Why We Love This Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes You’ll Love