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Home » Dressing and Marinades » The Best Greek Chicken Marinade

The Best Greek Chicken Marinade

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress Jessica Randhawa
June 4, 2019
4.86 from 1492 votes


Last Updated January 12, 2020 | 111 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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Bring all the classic Greek flavors to your kitchen table with this easy and delicious Greek Chicken Marinade. Made with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs, this chicken marinade takes just minutes to whip together and calls for only a handful of fresh and healthy ingredients.

Grilled and sliced Greek marinated chicken breasts.

Greek Chicken Marinade

This is my go-to, multi-purpose, and very favorite Greek chicken marinade. Of course, I have many “favorite” marinades, but this one is extra special. 

What makes this particular chicken marinade so much better than the others? It is so dang easy to make. The ingredients are also basic and affordable which means no special orders from Amazon or an out-of-the-way trip to a specialty market.

A perfect balance of lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs, this Greek chicken marinade has all the right flavors in all the right places.

The whole fam will love it. Even the kids.

Yes, even my kid (who hates just about everything that isn’t smothered in cheese or shaped like a hamburger) loved this chicken.

White shallow bowl filled with mixed together ingredients for Greek chicken marinade.

Greek Chicken Marinade Ingredients

  • Olive oil – I can’t think of a marinade that doesn’t have at least some oil. The oil in the marinade is especially important when cooking chicken breasts as they are naturally lean and low in fat.
  • Lemon juice AND zest – Lemon is a popular ingredient in many popular marinades and salad vinaigrettes. The high acidity from the lemon juice helps break down the tough fibers of the chicken helping to infuse the delicious lemony flavor of the marinade. Adding zest simply multiplies the awesome lemon flavor. Fresh lemon juice is an absolute must.
  • Garlic – Garlic is a common ingredient in all Greek cooking and is essential to the balance of flavors in this marinade. 
  • Fresh herbs – I added thyme, oregano, rosemary, and parsley. I also added fresh chopped herbs as it is a personal preference, but dried herbs may be substituted if needed (simply add half of what the recipe calls for). Don’t skip the herbs. Please. 
  • Salt – I recommended that you add 1 teaspoon of salt to the marinade but you are welcome to add more or less depending on your own personal preference. Take care not to over-salt as it will distract from the wonderful, fresh flavors from the other ingredients.
  • Fresh cracked black pepper – Ok, friends. This is one thing that makes a big difference, freshly cracked black pepper. When it’s freshly cracked it’s as if the flavor radiates throughout the entire chicken breast. I don’t know, I can’t explain it.

White shallow bowl filled with mixed together ingredients for Greek chicken marinade.

How to make the best Greek Chicken Marinade

Preparing your own marinade is as simple as whisking together a handful of ingredients, tossing it with some chicken breasts, and cooking.

Or is it…

Actually, it kinda is. However, there are a few simple tips and tricks which will make preparing your own marinade (whether it be this Greek chicken marinade, Jerk chicken marinade, or Citrus chicken marinade) a little easier.

  1. Use an oil that makes sense. In other words, use an oil with a matching flavor profile. In this case, olive oil is the best choice. If we were preparing an Asian-style marinade, we would think about adding sesame oil for extra flavor.
  2. Fresh ingredients are the best ingredients. With the exception of certain herbs, you really want to use only fresh ingredients. This is especially important for any kind of citrus juice and garlic. It is worth the extra few minutes of prep time (trust me).
  3. Invest in a microplane. This is one of my top 10 must-have kitchen tools. It’s what I use to zest citrus and grate ginger. In other words, it gets really hard jobs done super duper fast.
  4. You only need to marinate your chicken for 30 minutes. Of course, you can marinate it for longer, but with this Greek chicken marinade, you don’t really need to marinate it for hours and hours.
  5. Never EVER consume used chicken marinade unless it is boiled first. Just think about it- would you lick a raw chicken breast? No. So please, once the marinade has come in contact with raw chicken boil it or DUMP IT OUT.

Now that you have all my tips for preparing a successful marinade, let’s make the thing.

First, add all ingredients for the marinade (olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh thyme, fresh oregano, fresh rosemary, fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper) to a large shallow mixing bowl. Mix well to combine. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and mix well to coat in the marinade. Allow chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to two hours.

How long can you marinate your chicken?

I have made this Greek chicken marinade many times over the years and each time with a different total marinade time.

Time allowing, I would try to aim for anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours. That said, you don’t have to marinate your chicken for that long. If you only have 10 minutes, that’s certainly better than no time at all.

On the flip side, if you are preparing this ahead of time and need to leave the chicken to marinate overnight, that is perfectly fine, too. Simply cover your marinating chicken with plastic wrap and keep stored in the refrigerator until ready to grill.

Three chicken breasts in a large shallow bowl marinating in homemade Greek marinade.

How to Grill this Greek Marinated Chicken

Everyone has their own method of grilling chicken. My method is to start with a slightly higher temperature, grill for 5 minutes or so, and then reduce the heat. If you have a grilling method that you know and love, feel free to stick to what you know best.

  1. Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and mix well to coat in the marinade. Allow chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to two hours.
  2. Prepare the grill. As the chicken marinates, clean the grill grates and lightly oil with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Set grill to medium-high heat.
  3. Grill the chicken. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place directly on the grill. Discard remaining marinade. Cover the grill and allow the chicken to cook for approximately 5 minutes before reducing heat to medium. Allow chicken to cook for an additional 2 minutes, then use tongs to flip each breast over. Grill for an additional 5-7 minutes (or longer), or until the thickest part of your chicken registers 160 degrees F. with a digital meat thermometer.
  4. Thicker chicken breasts will take longer to cook. I highly recommend the use of a digital meat thermometer when cooking any and all meats.
  5. Allow chicken to rest. Remove chicken breasts from the grill and set aside to a clean plate. Tent with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. 

Can you bake Greek Chicken?

Yes, absolutely. I love to bake this Greek marinated chicken recipe whenever I want a more hands-off dinner.

  1. Prepare the marinade as outlined above and marinate the chicken for (at least) 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  3. Arrange the chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Discard any remaining marinade.
  4. Bake until internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees F as read with a digital meat thermometer.
  5. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Three chicken breasts in a large shallow bowl marinating in homemade Greek marinade.

How to serve Grilled Greek Marinated Chicken

The uses for this rockstar marinated chicken is endless. Here are some of my favorite ideas.

  • Serve with a platter of hummus, flatbread, and your favorite chopped veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, and olives.
  • Add to your favorite cold pasta salad.
  • Serve with this Easy Chopped Mediterranean Salad for a complete meal.
  • Make in bulk and turn leftovers into yummy meal prep bowls like these Chicken Shawarma Quinoa Bowls.
  • Keep things low carb and serve with this flavorful Cucumber Salad. 

Grilled and sliced Greek marinated chicken breasts.

If you try making this Greek Chicken Marinade, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.

For more Greek recipes check out,

  • Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
  • Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe
  • Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (How to Make Tzatziki)
  • 20 Minute Chicken Gyro Recipe with Tzatziki
  • Mediterranean Baked Fish with Artichokes and Olives
  • Mediterranean Grilled Turkey Burgers

DON’T FORGET TO PIN AND SHARE THIS EASY AND DELICIOUS GREEK CHICKEN MARINADE RECIPE AND ADD IT TO YOUR NEXT WEEKLY MEAL PLAN!

Grilled and sliced Greek marinated chicken breasts.

Grilled and sliced Greek marinated chicken breasts.

The Best Greek Chicken Marinade

4.86 from 1492 votes
AuthorAuthor: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress Jessica Randhawa
Made with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs, this chicken marinade takes just minutes to whip together and calls for only a handful of fresh and healthy ingredients.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
marinate 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Greek
Servings 6 servings
Calories 312 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 5 cloves garlic - minced
  • 2 lemons - juiced
  • 1 lemon - zested
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme - chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano - chopped
  • 2 teaspoon fresh rosemary - chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley - chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 large chicken breasts - (approximately 4 pounds)
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Instructions
 

  • Prepare the marinade. Add all ingredients for the marinade (olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh thyme, fresh oregano, fresh rosemary, fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper) to a large shallow mixing bowl. Mix well to combine.
  • Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and mix well to coat in the marinade. Allow chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to two hours.
  • Prepare the grill. Clean grill grates and lightly oil with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Set grill to medium-high heat.
  • Grill the chicken. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place directly on the grill. Discard remaining marinade. Cover the grill and allow chicken to cook for approximately 5 minutes before reducing heat to medium. Allow chicken to cook for an additional 2 minutes, then use tongs to flip each breast over. Grill for an additional 5-7 minutes (or longer), or until the thickest part of your chicken registers 160 degrees F. with a digital meat thermometer.
  • Allow chicken to rest. Remove chicken breasts from the grill and set aside to a clean plate. Tent with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 521mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 33.5mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1.5mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Greek Chicken Marinade
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About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress

Chef Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon. A world traveler, Jessica developed her passion for culinary arts while adventuring. With her recipes making their way onto renowned platforms such as Women's Health, Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Fox News, she's marked her presence in the culinary world. Jessica's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.

123.0K shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress

About Jessica Randhawa

Chef Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon. A world traveler, Jessica developed her passion for culinary arts while adventuring. With her recipes making their way onto renowned platforms such as Women's Health, Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Fox News, she's marked her presence in the culinary world. Jessica's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.

Comments

  1. Luba says

    September 12, 2023 at 3:58 pm

    Can I use dry herbs? If so, same quantity?

    Reply
    • Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress Jessica Randhawa says

      September 12, 2023 at 4:02 pm

      Yes, but the flavor profile won’t be as fresh and strong – simply add half of what the recipe calls for.

      Reply
  2. Sloan says

    August 29, 2023 at 11:25 am

    5 stars
    This is a great Greek marinade recipe. Cooked it up in a frying pan and it was so flavourful and so juicy. Only had time to let it marinade for 25 minutes too! Delish!!

    Reply
  3. Jules says

    July 17, 2023 at 2:26 pm

    4 stars
    I made this tonight for dinner and it was really really yummy. I do think it needs more oregano and salt. I had very large bone in skin on chicken thighs which I baked in the oven at 400° for 40 minutes. Then I let them rest for 10 minutes. I serve them with a Greek salad with red wine Greek vinaigrette dressing. A very simple easy meal. The lemon and lemon zest is the perfect amount in my opinion a nice tang without being overpowering.

    Reply
  4. T Byrem says

    July 17, 2023 at 7:47 am

    5 stars
    Great marinade for chicken. We cut up the breasts and made kabobs. It will go into the rotation of family favorites

    Reply
  5. Santa says

    June 29, 2023 at 10:45 am

    Could the chicken be left over night in the marinade?

    Reply
    • Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress Jessica Randhawa says

      June 29, 2023 at 12:36 pm

      yes it can 🙂

      Reply
  6. Sarah Hillyer says

    June 25, 2023 at 1:20 pm

    Family all agreed this recipe was a keeper and have asked for the recipe. Very easy and flavourful, marinated for barely 30 mins ( though slashed tops of chicken breasts) and threw on the grill. The tip to cook to 160 deg and then tent, resulted in very moist, tender chicken.

    Reply
  7. Brad S says

    June 24, 2023 at 11:09 pm

    5 stars
    I’m guessing you could make enough to freeze (without the chicken of course) But I’m wondering how long you think it would stay good in the freezer?
    P.S. Have you ever frozen a batch?

    Reply
    • Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress Jessica Randhawa says

      June 24, 2023 at 11:15 pm

      I have not tried freezing the marinade before, as this recipe is all about the flavors from the fresh ingredients. Freezing the marinade will diminish the flavors from the fresh ingredients.

      However, yes, it is freezable 🙂

      A fresh herb marinade can generally be frozen for up to 3 months.

      Reply
  8. Wayne says

    June 18, 2023 at 6:33 pm

    5 stars
    Just fabulous and popping with flavor. I marinaded over night.

    Reply
  9. Ann Schuh says

    May 30, 2023 at 12:14 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious marinade! My picky husband even kept coming back for more as I was putting it away. I didn’t bake it – I marinated it for about 6 hours and then tossed it on the grill. Served it sliced up over a Greek salad and it was amazing! Will definitely make it again!

    Reply
  10. Md says

    February 22, 2023 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    Too cold to go grilling, so I marinated it for six hours, and then put a breading of flour, egg, and Panko and I put in the air fryer for 20 minutes. Excellent!

    Reply
    • Sheila says

      February 28, 2023 at 11:47 am

      A nice variation, I’ll add that to the baking directions. I take it your air fryer was set at 380? Thank you.

      Reply
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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica, the chef behind The Forked Spoon, where I share my delicious recipes along with my kitchen tips and expert advice to transform your everyday cooking into a gratifying culinary experience. Learn more about me→

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