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Home Chicken

Greek Chicken

By Nagi Maehashi
332 Comments
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Published10 Sep '18 Updated23 Jun '25
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A yogurt marinated chicken thatโ€™s beautifully tenderized and infused with terrific garlic and oregano flavours!ย If youโ€™re new to the magical powers of yogurt marinades, this baked Greek Chicken is going to convert you for life! ย Brought to you inย partnership with Farmers Union Greek Style Yogurt.

Baked Greek Chicken on a plate with Greek Salad and Lemon Potatoes

Welcome to GREEK WEEK! Every now and then, I like to do themed menus where I share all the recipes for a feast, and this weekย itโ€™s all about the bright fresh flavours of the Mediterranean. Think โ€“ lemons, oregano, yogurt, lemons andย plenty of garlic!

Greek Week - Greek Feast Menu | RecipeTin Eats

Are you ready to see what Iโ€™ve got in store for you for Greek Week?? Here you goโ€ฆ.

Greek Dinner Feast with Greek Marinated Chicken, Greek Salad, Tzatziki and Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes

GREEK MENU

  • Greek Chickenย โ€“ Garlicky lemony oregano flavours infused right through the chicken from a flavour loaded Greek chicken marinade;

  • Greek Saladย โ€“ the juicy tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, that red wine vinegar dressing and the pops of feta!

  • Tzatziki โ€“ for dipping and dolloping (recipe in Notes of Greek chicken)ย Coming Thursday;

  • Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes โ€“ crispy, lemony potatoes. Itโ€™s your dream come true!ย Coming Friday; or

  • Lemon Potato Saladย (pictured in first photo)โ€“ย terrific alternative to mayo based Potato Salads. Bonus: No need to peel the potatoes.

And for dessertโ€ฆ.

Greekย BUTTLOVER!!!!ย 

Oops, I mean Baklava. Butt-lover / Baklava. Same thing. ๐Ÿ˜‚ย Coming your way on Fridayโ€ฆ. (Psst It does take time to assemble but youโ€™re going to be amazed how straightforward it is!!)

Greek Baklava for Greek Feast

SECRET WEAPON: YOGURT GREEK CHICKEN MARINADE

I first introduced readers to the magical powers of yogurt marinades with Greek Chicken Gyros. I bleated* over and over again about how the yogurt marinade is so awesome, I use it even when Iโ€™mย not making Gyros. (*Honestly, there is no other way to describe the way I harped on about it other than to say I was bleating.)

Yogurt is a brilliantย marinade.ย The Greeks know it, Middle Easterners have embraced it, the Persians love it, the Indians live by it (Butter Chicken, Tikka Masala, Biryani!).

Whatโ€™s so good about it? Well, it tenderises quickly and more evenly than liquids with harsher acidity like lemon juice and vinegar, and is also a fabulous flavour carrier, injecting herbs and spices into the flesh.

This is the yogurt I use, and have always used for as long as I can remember โ€“ Farmers Union Greek Style Yogurt. It would be rare to find my fridge without a tub of this. More likely youโ€™d see two: current in use + a restock.

Farmers Union Greek Yogurt

Chicken in a bowl with a Greek Yogurt Marinade

Thereโ€™s enough flavour in the Greek Chicken Marinade such that you donโ€™t need to marinate for a full 24 hours to get the benefit of the tenderising and flavour injection. Overnight is definitely recommended but if you really need to rush it, even 3 hours is enough. Just do extra basting!

Iโ€™ve baked this chicken because Iโ€™ve used bone in, skin on chicken thighs and drumsticks here. I love how the skin goes crispy, and any cut of meat with the bone is extra juicy.

But this is one of those recipes that is truly terrific with any cut of chicken.ย Especially breast โ€“ because it adds juiciness and flavour. Iโ€™ve popped directions and cook times in the recipe notes.

Go forth and enjoy! Back Wednesday for the next instalment in this weeksโ€™ Greek Feast โ€“ Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes!ย โ€“ Nagi x

MORE GREAT YOGURT MARINADES

โ€“ Greek Chicken Gyros
โ€“ Lamb Shawarma โ€“ flavour loaded fall apart lamb!
โ€“ Doner Kebab (homemade version of post-pub midnight kebab runโ€ฆ)
โ€“ Butter Chicken
โ€“ Tikka Masala
โ€“ Chicken Biryani

ย 

Baked Greek Chicken on a tray, fresh out of the oven


WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

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Baked Greek Chicken on a tray, fresh out of the oven

Greek Chicken

Author: Nagi
Prep: 8 minutes mins
Cook: 50 minutes mins
Total: 58 minutes mins
Mains
Greek
4.98 from 72 votes
Servings4 โ€“ 5 people
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Recipe video above. Yogurt is a magical marinade! This chicken is golden on the outside, beautifully tenderised on the inside and infused with terrific garlic-oregano flavours. Serve this with a Greek Salad and flatbread โ€“ or see in post for a full Greek Feast menu! Marinade time: Overnight, min 3 hrs.

Ingredients

  • 1.25 kg / 2.5 lb drumsticks and chicken thighs , bone in skin on (Note 1)

Marinade:

  • 6 garlic cloves , minced (~ 2 tbsp)
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar (or red wine or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1/2 cup / 125 ml lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 cup Greek yogurt (I use Farmers Union)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Serving (optional):

  • Plain Greek yogurt or Tzatziki
  • Fresh oregano leaves (optional)
Prevent screen from sleeping

Instructions

  • Mix Marinade ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Add chicken and coat well. Marinade for 24 hours (3 hours minimum).
  • Preheat oven to 180C.350F.
  • Line a tray with foil (trust me), place rack on tray (optional).
  • Place chicken on rack (reserve marinade), skin side up. Bake 30 minutes,
  • Remove from oven. Brush with marinade โ€“ do not flip.
  • Return to oven for 20 minutes or until golden and a bit crispy. Give it a spray of olive oil just before itโ€™s done if you want an extra crispy, shiny coat.
  • Rest for a few minutes before serving. Juicy and tasty enough to serve plain but extra great with tzatziki or even some plain yogurt.

Recipe Notes:

1. This recipe will also work great with wings (same cook time and temp), breast (bash with fist to 2cm / 4/5โ€ณ even thickness, cook 20 minutes at 200C/390F), skinless boneless thigh (20 minutes at 200C / 390F), basting at about 15 minutes.
If using boneless thighs or breast, I would actually recommend cooking on the stove instead! Medium high, breast for 3 minutes on each side, thigh 4 minutes on each side.
2. MAKE AHEAD: Place chicken in marinade, then pop straight into the freezer. Defrost 24 hours in the fridge โ€“ during this time it will marinade. Cooked chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months, but fresh is always best!
3. Based on the marinade from Greek Chicken Gyros.
4. Use Tzatziki recipe in thisย Greek Chicken Gyros.
5. Nutrition is overstated because it takes into account all the marinade. I have no way of guessing how much of the marinade actually ends up in the chicken.
Nutrition Facts
Greek Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 442 Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Fat 27g42%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 195mg65%
Sodium 818mg36%
Potassium 516mg15%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 41g82%
Vitamin A 120IU2%
Vitamin C 13.2mg16%
Calcium 79mg8%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 442cal (22%)Carbohydrates: 5g (2%)Protein: 41g (82%)Fat: 27g (42%)Saturated Fat: 6g (38%)Cholesterol: 195mg (65%)Sodium: 818mg (36%)Potassium: 516mg (15%)Sugar: 2g (2%)Vitamin A: 120IU (2%)Vitamin C: 13.2mg (16%)Calcium: 79mg (8%)Iron: 1.4mg (8%)
Keywords: Greek Chicken, Greek Chicken Marinade
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

LIFE OF DOZER

Gettingย right in there to make sure itโ€™s sparkling clean before I pop it into the recycling bin!

Dozer the golden retriever dog licking yoghurt container clean

Todayโ€™s recipe is brought to you courtesy of Farmers Union. Iโ€™ve used their Greek style natural yoghurt for as long as I can remember. So it was a no brainer when they asked if Iโ€™d create a recipe for them!!

Previous Post
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Baklava

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if youโ€™re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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332 Comments

  1. Kathryn Mudrovich says

    December 15, 2018 at 3:40 am

    Love the new websiteโ€ฆ..very easy to navigateโ€ฆ.and lose track of time while browsing among so many great recipes.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 17, 2018 at 12:26 pm

      Great to hear! โ˜บ๏ธ

      Reply
  2. Suzanne B says

    December 15, 2018 at 2:47 am

    This Greek marinade chicken is a definite keeper! Will be making this frequently. Made a triple batch to serve four, and had NO leftovers (poor me..).

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 17, 2018 at 12:31 pm

      Iโ€™m so happy you loved it Suzanne! There is nothing worse than not having any leftovers!!! ๐Ÿ˜‚

      Reply
  3. Suzanne Bishop says

    December 15, 2018 at 2:43 am

    I like this website alot better! Much easier to use..

    Reply
  4. Vijendran Balasingam says

    December 14, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    I am an ardent follower and I find the presentation, clear cooking methods and most of all the lovely savoury dishes that are displayed (Yum Yum). The website is a credit to the recipetineats team. Weโ€™ll done keep up the good work. Really Appreciated.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 17, 2018 at 12:39 pm

      Thanks so much for the awesome feedback!

      Reply
  5. Betty Wong says

    December 14, 2018 at 7:04 pm

    Love the functionality of your new website and catalogue-style, Nagi! The mouthwatering pixs of gorgeous dishes across the pages made me want to rush right out to try out the recipes. Not only that, it demands that I explore them to the fullest extent so that I can see whatโ€™s hidden in every nook and cranny. For a novice, I find your recipes simple to make,
    easy to follow, how toโ€™s with great diagrams & videos, tips, techniques and notes helpful. The siteโ€™s design clean and easy to navigate; it has everything from one pot recipes to meal prep, plus calorie counts for Weight Watchers, fantastic! Thereโ€™s also Dozer and your infectious enthusiasm with your readers really inspired me. Thank you so very much, Nagi, keep up the good work! Bless you! ๐Ÿ˜Š

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 17, 2018 at 12:44 pm

      Youโ€™re so welcome Betty, thank you for taking the time to provide such awesome feedback!

      Reply
  6. pat briggs says

    December 14, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    Your recipes look delicious.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 17, 2018 at 12:48 pm

      Thanks so much Pat!

      Reply
  7. melanie buรฑag mendoza says

    December 14, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    hi..i am melanie b. mendoza from the Philippinesโ€ฆi love Japanese food and it is so great that iโ€™ve subscribed in your recipe siteโ€ฆyour new website design as i may say is complete with your daily recipe plus related post of other recipesโ€ฆ not just Japanese food recipes but a mixture of foreign cuisineโ€ฆwith trivias, feedback and other factsโ€ฆand so for that i thank you ๐Ÿ™‚ i enjoy most of your shared recipes and happy eating always yum yum :)_

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 17, 2018 at 12:51 pm

      Thanks so much for the amazing feedback! โค๏ธ

      Reply
  8. Paul Richards says

    December 14, 2018 at 2:23 pm

    Totally awesome

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 17, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      Thanks Paul!

      Reply
  9. Dana Shay says

    December 14, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    At the risk of repeating myself, my, but you are a piece of work! I always share your recipes, just to spread the love. Your recipes, your writing, and your stunningly assembled photos, all conspire to get us slobbering! It seems I found you relatively early in your career/passion, and I love it all. And then thereโ€™s Dozer!! Best of luck in everything you do, we all love you. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 17, 2018 at 1:00 pm

      aww shucks! Thanks so much Dana! Have a great Christmas!

      Reply
  10. Roger P. Moukheiber says

    December 14, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    5 stars
    I love the new look, much easier to follow. Your videos are useful and inspiring. Merry Christmas from Chicago

    Reply
  11. Brittany Glusac says

    December 14, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    I love the Life of Dozer! Love the new website, thank you for always providing the best recipes!

    Reply
  12. Donna Dougherty says

    December 14, 2018 at 12:14 pm

    The new web site looks great! And I will definitely be trying the Greek Chicken recipe.

    Reply
  13. Joanne says

    December 14, 2018 at 11:51 am

    Love the new look and always enjoy your videos!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 14, 2018 at 12:26 pm

      Thanks so much Joanne!!

      Reply
  14. GINNY SATO says

    December 14, 2018 at 8:50 am

    Love everything you make.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 14, 2018 at 12:44 pm

      Thanks Ginny!!

      Reply
  15. Jane Merrick says

    December 14, 2018 at 8:35 am

    Love the website. Havenโ€™t had much time to browse.
    I love all your recipes and your mums as well.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 14, 2018 at 12:45 pm

      Thanks Jane! I love hearing feedback!

      Reply
  16. Trinh says

    December 14, 2018 at 7:45 am

    5 stars
    Loving your new website so easy to navigate around. Love your page I get so inspired to cook. Thank you

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 14, 2018 at 12:50 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  17. Alma Dionisio says

    December 14, 2018 at 7:00 am

    5 stars
    Would rate it 10 stars if I could. Transports you straight to Greece!

    Reply
  18. Alma Dionisio says

    December 14, 2018 at 6:58 am

    Hi Nagi. Your new website is much more user friendly. We love the Greek menu and make it often. You donโ€™t know how much your videos have inspired me to cook something that I wouldnโ€™t have bothered to try. Big hug to Dozer, heโ€™s a scream!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 14, 2018 at 12:53 pm

      Hi Alma, thats so nice of you to say, Iโ€™m so glad you find the videos useful!!

      Reply
  19. Helen Esdaile says

    December 14, 2018 at 6:46 am

    You are now our first stop for inspiration.
    Love the website!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 14, 2018 at 12:54 pm

      You are too kind Helen! ๐Ÿ˜˜

      Reply
  20. Robert Etzler says

    December 14, 2018 at 6:41 am

    Whoโ€™d of thought, you are not only a master chef but also a master tech geek to put together this great site (yeah, iโ€™m buttering you up). Your site has been my go to site to experience and test out new recipes in easy to follow directions. My girlfriend raves about my cooking abilities since Iโ€™ve been a subscriber to your recipes (mums the word) :). Anyway it really is a great site. Thanks again and Happy Holidays.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 14, 2018 at 12:55 pm

      You have one lucky Girlfriend Robert!! Thanks so much and I hope you have a great Christmas!

      Reply
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