Greek chicken thighs that are marinated in herbs and garlic and then cooked on the grill. They go with absolutely everything and make the most amazing dinner, protein for salads, or filling for wraps. We also love this Greek Yogurt Parmesan Chicken and these Healthy Greek Meatballs.
I am a sucker for Greek flavors and almost always order anything if there is feta cheese involved. So when I saw an idea for Grilled Greek Chicken, I couldn't wait to try it. After all, how could any chicken that has been marinated in these delicious ingredients and then grilled be bad? And although I didn't include feta cheese in this recipe, you better believe that my chicken was topped with a ton of it.
There are few things that make this chicken really amazing. The first, and probably most unexpected, is the Greek yogurt. When you marinate the chicken in yogurt, the cultures in the yogurt help to tenderize this chicken. This means two things happen. First - the chicken comes out super moist every time. No more dry chicken. Secondly, the flavors in the marinade really penetrate the chicken. Sometimes I find that marinades don't add as much flavor as I would like, not the case with this one. Every bite will be full of Greek flavors.
The other thing I love about this chicken is that you can use it in so many different ways. I always grill a double or triple batch so I can use the leftovers. Usually the first night, we will eat it fresh off the grill with some grilled veggies or a Greek inspired salad. Then I will make wraps or Greek salad with the leftover chicken for lunches. And if there is any left after that, I love using it in a Greek inspired pasta salad with cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini, feta cheese, and black olives.
How Do You Make This Greek Chicken?
Start by prepping the chicken thighs by trimming off any fat. It is up to you whether you rinse the chicken. Although that used to be the norm, many now think this may just create more cross contamination.
Once the chicken is ready, mix together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon, oregano, thyme, basil, and dill. This is where all the flavor comes from. Plus yogurt is a natural way to tenderize meat, so it ensures a moist and juicy chicken. I like things spicy so I also usually add some red pepper flakes as well.
Add the thighs to a Ziploc bag and pour the dressing over top. Seal the bag, being sure to squeeze as much air out as you can. Leave it in the fridge for four hours or overnight if you are able to whip this up the night before.
After it's had time to marinate and soak up all the flavors, you want to take it all to the grill for a quick cook, flipping once to cook evenly on both sides. Oupa!
Side Dishes to Serve with Grilled Greek Chicken Thighs
Usually, I like to pair this with a big Greek salad but it is delicious a number of ways.
- We have tried this chicken over rice. (White, brown, or basmati work well.)
- This chicken pairs quite nicely with a side of grilled veggies. If you're already at the grill cooking anyway, why not grill your sides too?
- Wrap this chicken up in pita bread or another flatbread for a healthy sandwich. My favorite toppings include feta, black or kalamata olives, pickled red onions, and more yogurt or tzatziki sauce.
- Greek chicken bowls are another fun way to serve up this Greek chicken. Start with rice, quinoa, or another healthy grain. Add sliced chicken, and all your favorite Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Dig in!
- Greek tacos — you know the drill!
How Do I Bake This Greek Chicken?
If you don't have a grill, or just don't feel like grilling, you can also bake this Greek chicken. Grease a cooking sheet with cooking spray or olive oil, and lay the thighs on top, but not touching. Place in a 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes. Let the chicken rest about five minutes or so before slicing it.
Can I Use Chicken Breasts?
I think that chicken thighs are very meaty, juicy, tender, and flavorful but I know that some people are team boneless, skinless chicken breasts all the way. You can absolutely use this marinade on chicken breasts. Slice them thin lengthwise to have them cook faster. If you don't slice them, they'll need to grill a little longer on both sides, about 6-7 minutes per side.
How Do I Make Chicken with Greek Seasoning
We're all about the versatility here at Slender Kitchen. If you want to make this chicken Greek but don't have the yogurt, don't like it, or forgot to buy it at the store, that's no problem. You can simply use the spices as a Greek rub on the chicken and grill as directed. It will not be as moist, but it'll still be delicious and will go well on a pita or over a salad for sure.