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This Greek yogurt marinated chicken is the perfect chicken recipe for a weeknight dinner or meal prep. The Greek yogurt locks in moisture and tenderizes the chicken for the most flavorful juicy chicken.
THE Best Greek Yogurt Chicken
If you’re sick of boring, bland chicken, this chicken Greek yogurt marinade is the recipe for you. It’s so moist, so flavorful and insanely easy to make. The Greek yogurt adds tons of moisture and creates the most delicious sauce as it bakes. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Ridiculously easy. Throw your chicken into a bowl with your marinade for just 20 minutes (and it’s amazing even if you skip the marinate time). Bake on a sheet pan or into a loaf pan and let the oven do it’s magic.
- Perfect for meal prep. Make this chicken and use it for meals throughout the week like rice bowls, wraps or on top of a Greek salad. It stores and reheats amazingly well.
- Tender, never dry chicken. Because of the Greek yogurt, this foolproof chicken comes out super moist and never dry.
- Simple ingredients. This marinade is made from Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice and garlic with a few dried herbs and spices.
If you’re looking for quick and easy chicken recipes, you’ve gotta try my Perfectly Cooked Thin Sliced Chicken Breast (Air Fryer Recipe) and Air Fryer Shredded Chicken too!
Ingredients
For full recipe instructions and complete list of ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs work well for this recipe. Chicken tenders are a great option too.
- Plain Greek yogurt: Full fat Greek yogurt works the best for baking. Lactic acid in the yogurt also helps tenderizes the meat.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a bright tangy flavor.
- Garlic: LOTS of fresh garlic gives this marinade so much flavor. Use a whole head (6-8 cloves). You can also sub in 1.5-2 tbsp of garlic powder.
- Olive oil: For a touch of healthy fats and added moisture I use olive oil.
- Spices: Onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, cumin, salt and black pepper is the perfect combination for the perfect balance of flavor.
Variation ideas
- Swap the lemon. If you don’t have fresh lemon swap it out for 2 tbsp red wine vinegar.
- Make it spicy. For a spicy version add 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
- Fresh herbs. Add fresh parsley, basil or even fresh dill.
- More lemon flavor. For an extra burst of lemon flavor add 1 tsp of fresh lemon zest.
- Chicken kabobs. Cut chicken into cubes before adding to marinade. Place chicken on skewers with red onions and green peppers. Bake or grill.
- Switch the protein. This recipe is great with boneless pork chops or pork tenderloin (cook to at least 145 degrees F, 25-35 minutes).
How To Make Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
- Whisk. In a large bowl whisk all marinade ingredients until uniformly combined.
- Marinate. Add chicken to the marinade, toss to coat. Transfer to the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
- Transfer. Add chicken to a 9×13″ baking dish in a single layer or layer into a loaf pan. Be sure to top with all of the excess marinade. You can also use a baking sheet but make sure its rimmed to prevent the marinade from spilling over.
- Bake. Bake chicken at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes in a baking dish or sheet pan and 45-50 minutes in a loaf pan. Internal temp should read 165 degrees F.
How To Store
Store cooled leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Jamie’s tips
Recipe Tips
- Full fat Greek yogurt. Higher fat Greek yogurt performs better when it’s baked, so I recommend using full fat or at the very least 2% fat.
- Shredded chicken tip. If you like to make shredded or chopped chicken for the week, layer your marinated chicken right in a loaf pan, and then slice it up or shred.
- Make ahead. This marinade only needs 20 minutes, but it’s even better if you marinate for a few hours or overnight!
- Easier clean-up. Line your baking dish or loaf pan with parchment paper before baking for super easy clean up.
Easy & Flavorful Chicken Inspiration
If you’ve made and loved these Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and comments below!
Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Incredibly tender baked chicken in a flavorful marinade of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, herbs and spices.
Ingredients
- 1.5-2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, or boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, full fat
- 6-8 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a large bowl combine Greek yogurt, garlic, olive oil, onion powder, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and lemon juice.
- Whisk Greek yogurt marinade together until fully combined.
- Add chicken to bowl and toss in marinade until each piece is fully coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
- Transfer chicken breast to a 9×13" baking dish in an even layer with all of the extra marinade. You can also layer the chicken into a loaf pan (this is my favorite method if you like to prep shredded or chopped chicken).
- Bake for 30 minutes on a sheet pan or 45-50 minutes in a loaf pan, or until minimum internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest part.
Nutrition
Serving: 1chicken breast | Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 793mg | Potassium: 745mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 314IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + star rating below!
Most delicious juiciest tenderest chicken ever that Greek yogurt is a game changer game changer game changer thank you Jamie thank you
Made this last night and oh my gosh blown away! Even my picky boyfriend loved it lol!
I have a quick question…just to clarify, when you suggest baking in a loaf pan, I am assuming you stack the chicken breasts on top of each other to bake? Does this increase the baking time (vs baking in a single layer in a baking dish or cookie sheet)?
Yes exactly, it’s just layered in there with the marinade! I would make sure your chicken is sliced thin but it’s about the same bake time!
Made a batch of this chicken early in the week last week. I had all ingredients on hand already. Yum!! Pleasantly surprised how tasty and juicy the chicken came out. I served it hot and cold in dishes for a couple days. I think this will be a new go to on busy school & sport nights.
Made a batch of this chicken early in the week last week. I had all ingredients on hand already. Yum!! Pleasantly surprised how tasty and juicy the chicken came out. I served it hot and cold in dishes for a couple days. I think this will be a new go to on busy school & sport nights.
Yay glad you loved it! Definitely one of my favorites 🙂