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Greek Marinated Grilled Chicken

Greek Marinated Grilled Chicken

Tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated in a bright and herbaceous yogurt mixture, grilled to golden perfection, and served with red onion, parsley, and lemon.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 600g)
  • 120 ml plain full-fat yogurt
  • 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon about 3 tablespoons
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 small red onion thinly sliced (for serving)
  • Fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped (for garnish)
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Method
 

  1. Make the marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. The mixture should look pale yellow and smell bright and herbaceous — that sharp lemon-garlic aroma tells you it's balanced.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and turn them with your hands until each piece is fully coated. You'll feel the yogurt mixture clinging to the meat — it should be glossy, not dripping. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavour.
  3. Preheat your grill or grill pan: Set it to medium-high heat (about 200°C). Let it heat for a full 5 minutes — you'll see a faint shimmer of heat rising from the surface when it's ready. A drop of water should sizzle and evaporate immediately.
  4. Grill the chicken: Place the thighs on the hot grill, leaving space between each piece. You should hear a satisfying sizzle as the meat hits the surface — if it's silent, the grill isn't hot enough. Cook for 5–6 minutes without moving them.
  5. Flip and finish: Use tongs to flip each piece. The cooked side should be golden-brown with distinct grill marks and a slightly crispy edge. Cook for another 4–5 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 74°C and the juices run clear when you pierce the thickest part with a knife.
  6. Rest the chicken: Transfer the thighs to a cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes. You'll see the juices settling back into the meat rather than pooling on the board — this keeps every bite moist.
  7. Slice and serve: Slice each thigh against the grain into thick strips. The inside should be white and juicy, not pink, with a faint herb-flecked crust on the outside. Scatter over the red onion slices, fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

Marinate for at least 30 minutes; up to 24 hours for deeper flavor. Grill at medium-high heat (200°C) until internal temperature reaches 74°C. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.