Greek Chicken Marinade
This homemade Greek chicken marinade infuses your chicken with vibrant Mediterranean flavors, ensuring it remains moist and tender. Perfect for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic enhances flavor.
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano Use fresh oregano if available.
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves Fresh thyme adds depth.
- 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped Includes tender stems.
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced Adds acidity.
- to taste Kosher salt
- to taste black pepper
For the Chicken
- 1.5 to 2 pounds chicken (thighs, legs, breast) Choose any cut you like.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, add the minced garlic, dried oregano, sweet paprika, fresh thyme leaves, and chopped parsley. Mix to release the aromas.
- Pour in the extra virgin olive oil and add the zest and juice of one lemon. Whisk until combined, and season with Kosher salt and black pepper.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and ensure they are thoroughly coated. Cover with plastic wrap or place in a resealable bag.
- Refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
Cooking
- For grilling: Preheat to medium heat and grill chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- For baking: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange chicken in a baking dish, pour marinade over, cover with foil, and bake for 10 minutes; then remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until fully cooked.
Resting
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Notes
Serve with tzatziki, over salad, in pita pockets, or in grain bowls. Adjust marinade ingredients to taste and experiment with cooking methods for variation.