Baked Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

Greek yogurt is one of my favorite ingredients for marinating chicken because it creates tender, juicy results without requiring a long ingredient list or hours of prep. Unlike marinades that rely mostly on vinegar, or citrus, the yogurt gently tenderizes the chicken while helping the lemon, garlic, and herbs cling to every bite.

It’s become one of my go-to marinades whenever I want flavorful baked chicken. And if you’re looking for quick and easy chicken recipes, you must try my Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders or Firecracker Chicken Meatballs.

Why Greek Yogurt Makes the Best Chicken Marinade

What to Expect: This Greek yogurt marinated chicken is tender, juicy, and full of bright lemon, garlic, and herb flavor. The yogurt does not make the chicken taste like yogurt, but it helps coat the chicken, hold the seasonings, and keep the meat moist as it bakes.

Greek yogurt is one of my favorite ingredients for marinating chicken because it’s one of the easiest ways I’ve found to get consistently tender, flavorful chicken. It creates a thick marinade that clings to every piece of chicken, so you get plenty of flavor in every bite.

I also love how versatile it is. I’ll often make a batch on Sunday for meal prep, then use the chicken throughout the week in salads, wraps, or served with vegetables for an easy dinner.

Here is why you’ll love it:

• Tender, juicy chicken every time. The Greek yogurt helps keep the chicken moist while it bakes.
• Bright Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Lemon, garlic, and herbs create a fresh, flavorful marinade that isn’t heavy or overpowering.
• Simple ingredients. Everything comes together with pantry staples and a container of Greek yogurt.
• High in protein. An easy way to make a protein-packed meal.
• Great for meal prep. The leftovers stay tender and reheat well throughout the week.
• Easy to serve in different ways. Enjoy it with roasted vegetables, over rice, tucked into pita wraps, or sliced onto a salad.

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 thighs both work well here. I often use chicken breasts for meal prep, but chicken thighs are a little more forgiving and stay extra juicy if they’re cooked a bit longer. Chicken tenders are another great option and cook more quickly.
• Plain Greek yogurt: I recommend plain Greek yogurt because its thick texture coats the chicken well and helps the seasonings stick to every bite. Full-fat Greek yogurt creates the richest marinade, but low-fat also works well if that’s what you have on hand. I don’t recommend regular yogurt because it’s thinner and won’t coat the chicken as well.
• Fresh lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the marinade and balances the richness of the yogurt. I recommend squeezing it fresh if possible for the best flavor.
• Garlic: This recipe uses plenty of fresh garlic because it’s one of the main flavors of the marinade. I highly recommend fresh cloves over garlic powder, but if you’re in a pinch, you can substitute about 1 1/2-2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
• Olive oil: A little olive oil rounds out the marinade and keeps the chicken moist as it bakes.
• Seasonings: Onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, cumin, salt and black pepper create a simple flavor that’s savory, herby, and pairs well with almost any side dish.

Easy Ways to Customize This Greek Yogurt Marinade

• Make it spicy. Add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
• Boost the fresh herbs. Stir in chopped fresh parsley, dill, basil, or oregano for even more Mediterranean flavor.
• Add extra lemon. Mix in 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest if you love a brighter lemon flavor.
• Turn it into chicken kabobs. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces before marinating, then thread onto skewers with red onion, zucchini, or bell peppers for an easy baked or grilled kabob.
• Make Greek chicken bowls. Serve the chicken over rice or quinoa with cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, hummus, and tzatziki for an easy Mediterranean meal.

How Long to Marinate Chicken in Greek Yogurt

For the best flavor and texture, marinate the chicken in Greek yogurt for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours. Chicken thighs can handle a longer marinating time, while chicken breasts are best kept closer to 2-8 hours. I don’t recommend marinating longer than 24 hours because the texture can start to change.