Description
This 5-Ingredient Chicken Marinade recipe features tender and juicy chicken marinated in a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, garlic, and fresh lemon for a bright, flavorful dish. Perfect for grilling or baking, this easy-to-make marinade enhances boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, resulting in a delicious and healthy meal suitable for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- â…“ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a zip-top bag or shallow baking dish, combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and kosher salt. Stir well to blend all ingredients uniformly.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the marinade, tossing to ensure every piece is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours to allow flavors to infuse.
- Preheat the grill or oven: For grilling, heat the grill to medium heat. For baking, preheat your oven to 375°F and line a sheet tray with foil, lightly greasing it with olive oil.
- Prepare chicken for cooking: Remove the chicken from the marinade, discard the remaining marinade, and lightly scrape off any excess marinade from the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: If grilling, oil the grill grates and cook the chicken over medium heat, flipping halfway through until thighs reach 185°F-190°F or breasts reach 165°F internal temperature. If baking, arrange chicken breasts on the prepared tray spaced apart and bake for 40-45 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest the chicken: After cooking, transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes to retain juices.
- Serve: Slice the chicken against the grain and serve as desired for a fresh, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Marinating for longer than 30 minutes but less than 8 hours will yield more tender and flavorful chicken.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature to avoid dryness or undercooking.
- The Greek yogurt marinade also makes this recipe gluten-free and suitable for a low-fat diet.
- Brush grill grates with oil before cooking to prevent sticking.
- Chicken thighs tend to be juicier and more forgiving than breasts during grilling.
