Grilled Greek Chicken – Plain Chicken

Greek Chicken Recipe –  chicken marinated in a flavorful blend of olive oil, lemon juice, Greek seasoning, oregano, garlic, and paprika. Whether grilled to perfection or baked in the oven, this dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser that’s both easy to make and packed with flavor. Serve alongside a crisp Greek salad, fluffy lemon-herb rice, and creamy tzatziki sauce for a complete Mediterranean feast that’s perfect for any occasion.

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Grilled Greek Chicken Recipe

This Greek Chicken is a flavor explosion! Tender, juicy chicken breasts marinated in a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, and aromatic herbs and spices like oregano, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Each bite is a burst of citrusy zest and savory goodness, perfectly balanced with a hint of smokiness. Whether grilled to perfection or baked in the oven, this Greek chicken is a flavor-packed delight that’s sure to leave you craving more.

How to Make Greek Chicken Marinade

This dish is super simple to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, Greek seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Place chicken in a large gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Pour marinade over the chicken. Seal tightly and store in the fridge for 4-24 hours. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Grill/cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. 

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• You can use this marinade on any cut of chicken– chicken breasts, chicken tenders, chicken thighs, chicken wings, or chicken drumsticks/legs.
  • You can use boneless or bone-in chicken. Adjust the cooking time to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
• I suggest pounding the chicken breast to an even thickness. We put the chicken in a ziplock bag and use a flat meat mallet to pound out the hump carefully. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and you don’t have juicy chicken and half-dry chicken.
• I don’t have a grill. Can I cook the chicken in the oven or skillet? Yes! To cook the chicken breasts inside, pan-sear it for 3 to 4 minutes per side over medium-high heat. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
• What is Greek Seasoning? Greek seasoning is a combination of dried herbs such as oregano, garlic, lemon, black pepper, mint, and bay leaves.
• Variations/Additions to the marinade ingredients:
  • fresh garlic cloves
  • red wine vinegar
  • fresh thyme
  • fresh parsley
  • honey
• Can I freeze Greek Chicken? Yes! You can freeze the chicken uncooked or cooked.
  • Prepare the marinade. Place the chicken in a freezer bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook.
  • To freeze cooked chicken, cool completely and place in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw and reheat in the microwave.
  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Leftovers are delicious in Greek Chicken Gyros or tossed with our favorite Greek Pasta Salad.

What to Serve with Grilled Chicken

When it comes to serving alongside Greek chicken, it’s all about enhancing its Mediterranean flavors while providing a satisfying and well-rounded meal. 

• Start by offering a traditional Greek salad, featuring crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and tangy feta cheese tossed in a refreshing vinaigrette. The salad’s bright and crisp flavors perfectly complement the chicken’s savory richness. 
• Additionally, consider serving a side of fluffy lemon rice or creamy tzatziki sauce for dipping, adding depth and creaminess to each mouthful. 
• For a complete Mediterranean feast, round out the meal with warm pita bread and a platter of olives and roasted vegetables, offering a variety of textures and tastes to tantalize the palate. 

With these delicious accompaniments, this chicken becomes the centerpiece of a satisfying and flavorful dining experience. Looking for more side dishes? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

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Greek Chicken

Yield: 4 people

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Greek Chicken Recipe –  chicken marinated in a flavorful blend of olive oil, lemon juice, Greek seasoning, oregano, garlic, and paprika. Whether grilled to perfection or baked in the oven, this dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser that’s both easy to make and packed with flavor. Serve alongside a crisp Greek salad, fluffy lemon-herb rice, and creamy tzatziki sauce for a complete Mediterranean feast that’s perfect for any occasion.

•  In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, Greek seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

• Place chicken in a large gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Pour marinade over the chicken. Seal tightly and store in the fridge for 4-24 hours.

• Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.

• Grill/cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.

• You can use this marinade on any cut of chicken– chicken breasts, chicken tenders, chicken thighs, chicken wings, or chicken drumsticks/legs.
  • You can use boneless or bone-in chicken. Adjust the cooking time to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
• I suggest pounding the chicken breast to an even thickness. We put the chicken in a ziplock bag and use a flat meat mallet to pound out the hump carefully. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and you don’t have juicy chicken and half-dry chicken.
• I don’t have a grill. Can I cook the chicken in the oven or skillet? Yes! To cook the chicken breasts inside, pan-sear it for 3 to 4 minutes per side over medium-high heat. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
• What is Greek Seasoning? Greek seasoning is a combination of dried herbs such as oregano, garlic, lemon, black pepper, mint, and bay leaves.
• Variations/Additions to the marinade ingredients:
  • fresh garlic cloves
  • red wine vinegar
  • fresh thyme
  • fresh parsley
  • honey
• Can I freeze Greek Chicken? Yes! You can freeze the chicken uncooked or cooked.
  • Prepare the marinade. Place the chicken in a freezer bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook.
  • To freeze cooked chicken, cool completely and place in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw and reheat in the microwave.
  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Leftovers are delicious in Greek Chicken Gyros or tossed with our favorite Greek Pasta Salad.

Steph