A yogurt marinated chicken thatโs beautifully tenderized and infused with terrific garlic and oregano flavours!ย If youโre new to the magical powers of yogurt marinades, this baked Greek Chicken is going to convert you for life! ย Brought to you inย partnership with Farmers Union Greek Style Yogurt.
Welcome to GREEK WEEK! Every now and then, I like to do themed menus where I share all the recipes for a feast, and this weekย itโs all about the bright fresh flavours of the Mediterranean. Think โ lemons, oregano, yogurt, lemons andย plenty of garlic!
Are you ready to see what Iโve got in store for you for Greek Week?? Here you goโฆ.
GREEK MENU
Greek Chickenย โ Garlicky lemony oregano flavours infused right through the chicken from a flavour loaded Greek chicken marinade;
Greek Saladย โ the juicy tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, that red wine vinegar dressing and the pops of feta!
Tzatziki โ for dipping and dolloping (recipe in Notes of Greek chicken)
ย Coming Thursday;Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes โ crispy, lemony potatoes. Itโs your dream come true!ย
Coming Friday;orLemon Potato Saladย (pictured in first photo)โย terrific alternative to mayo based Potato Salads. Bonus: No need to peel the potatoes.
And for dessertโฆ.
Greekย BUTTLOVER!!!!ย
Oops, I mean Baklava. Butt-lover / Baklava. Same thing. ๐ย Coming your way on Fridayโฆ. (Psst It does take time to assemble but youโre going to be amazed how straightforward it is!!)
SECRET WEAPON: YOGURT GREEK CHICKEN MARINADE
I first introduced readers to the magical powers of yogurt marinades with Greek Chicken Gyros. I bleated* over and over again about how the yogurt marinade is so awesome, I use it even when Iโmย not making Gyros. (*Honestly, there is no other way to describe the way I harped on about it other than to say I was bleating.)
Yogurt is a brilliantย marinade.ย The Greeks know it, Middle Easterners have embraced it, the Persians love it, the Indians live by it (Butter Chicken, Tikka Masala, Biryani!).
Whatโs so good about it? Well, it tenderises quickly and more evenly than liquids with harsher acidity like lemon juice and vinegar, and is also a fabulous flavour carrier, injecting herbs and spices into the flesh.
This is the yogurt I use, and have always used for as long as I can remember โ Farmers Union Greek Style Yogurt. It would be rare to find my fridge without a tub of this. More likely youโd see two: current in use + a restock.
Thereโs enough flavour in the Greek Chicken Marinade such that you donโt need to marinate for a full 24 hours to get the benefit of the tenderising and flavour injection. Overnight is definitely recommended but if you really need to rush it, even 3 hours is enough. Just do extra basting!
Iโve baked this chicken because Iโve used bone in, skin on chicken thighs and drumsticks here. I love how the skin goes crispy, and any cut of meat with the bone is extra juicy.
But this is one of those recipes that is truly terrific with any cut of chicken.ย Especially breast โ because it adds juiciness and flavour. Iโve popped directions and cook times in the recipe notes.
Go forth and enjoy! Back Wednesday for the next instalment in this weeksโ Greek Feast โ Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes!ย โ Nagi x
MORE GREAT YOGURT MARINADES
โ Greek Chicken Gyros
โ Lamb Shawarma โ flavour loaded fall apart lamb!
โ Doner Kebab (homemade version of post-pub midnight kebab runโฆ)
โ Butter Chicken
โ Tikka Masala
โ Chicken Biryani
ย
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Greek Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.25 kg / 2.5 lb drumsticks and chicken thighs , bone in skin on (Note 1)
Marinade:
- 6 garlic cloves , minced (~ 2 tbsp)
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar (or red wine or apple cider vinegar)
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt (I use Farmers Union)
- 1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Serving (optional):
- Plain Greek yogurt or Tzatziki
- Fresh oregano leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Marinade ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add chicken and coat well. Marinade for 24 hours (3 hours minimum).
- Preheat oven to 180C.350F.
- Line a tray with foil (trust me), place rack on tray (optional).
- Place chicken on rack (reserve marinade), skin side up. Bake 30 minutes,
- Remove from oven. Brush with marinade โ do not flip.
- Return to oven for 20 minutes or until golden and a bit crispy. Give it a spray of olive oil just before itโs done if you want an extra crispy, shiny coat.
- Rest for a few minutes before serving. Juicy and tasty enough to serve plain but extra great with tzatziki or even some plain yogurt.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Gettingย right in there to make sure itโs sparkling clean before I pop it into the recycling bin!
Todayโs recipe is brought to you courtesy of Farmers Union. Iโve used their Greek style natural yoghurt for as long as I can remember. So it was a no brainer when they asked if Iโd create a recipe for them!!
Dozer is definitely licking the โplatterโ clean ๐ Oh dear love it!
Nagi, I only recently heard about the yogurt marinade and seeing you do this recipe made me excited to want to try it. I find that each of your recipes is so special that most times I find myself trying them out for Sunday lunch. This weekend sounds like a plan and I think Iโll use skinless boneless thighs and also wings. Yumm. Once hurricane Isaac pass us by ..but โฆat the moment I donโt know whatโs gonna happen by weekend. We can only pray.
Have a great Wednesday! Hugs โฆ๐
Iโm so pleased that youโre finding some new ideas on my site Gail! And please โ stay safe!! N xx
Hi Nagi
Do you think this would work on the braai (barbeque)?
If you use thighs or breast โ 100% yes yes yes! I find bone in a bit harder to cook on the BBQ but if youโre a pro then it would work too! N x
I have this in the fridge marinating right now for dinner. Canโt wait these look so delicious and even used the Farmers Union Greek Style Yogurt ๐ Thank you for another fabulous recipe.
WHOOT! I hope you love it Mihi! N xx
OPAH to Nagi for such a scrumptious greek chicken recipe๐.
Hey Dozer you and Luca are so much alike. .Mr Luca loves licking the Astro Balkan yogurt container too ๐ woof woof buddy
But I bet it doesnโt get stuck on his head like it does with Dozer! ๐
*huge grin* Well, Greek food in this house is rather limited to the absolutely wonderful plethora of Mediterranean appetizers I make and eat until other courses prove unnecessary โ but there has not been a day here for years that at least one carton of Farmersโ Union Greek has not been in the fridge for daily use ! For everything ! (Dozer: I oft do THAT too !). Oh tzatziki is never far from my hands either and I love and grow huge amounts of oregano each year . . . . so I guess I do make Greek chicken quite often, just not call it such ::) ! Well, potatoes and baklava may be a different story, but then you know that . . .
I hear you Eha!!! I eat yoghurt obsessively, I rarely have sour cream and cream in the house. Always yoghurt!! N xx
Greek or not to me chicken is always so much better with bone and skin on, Love it. Bones, bones the more the better. Dozer is Happy, YUMI. My cat loved the stuff. As for BAKLAVA ITS ALL MINEโฆโฆโฆYOU CAN HAVE YOUR BLESSED CHICKENJUST GIVE ME BAKLAVA MIDDLE OF NIGHT VERA IS HAPPY CHAPY!!! But NO sweets at moment am in recovery stage. Had mushroom quich, yum. Be happy and enjoy your Greek week!
How much longer Vera?? Are you keeping well?? ๐ N xx
Hello Nagiโฆ. we love your gyro chicken recipe in our house! My kids (10 and 12) actually fist pump ๐ each other when they know whatโs on the menu!! We make it every other week โ just delicious and so, so easy!! Thank you! Di x
You just made my day with this message!!! The fist pumping visionโฆ. I love it!! N xx
โค๏ธ
Another yummy chicken recipe N, esp with yogurt! I eat some Greek yogurt just about every day for lunch, but have to share some with my dog. He whines til I share it! I give him 2 spoonfuls on the cover. Lol. I put some chia seeds and flax seeds in it tooโฆmine has walnuts and dk choc chips too. Today I had a toasted cucumber sandwich instead.
Is Dozer guarding his yogurt while sleeping or tuckered out from licking it clean?๐
I know!! It totally looks like he fell asleep in there! But actually heโs got his eyes closed in concentration while heโs licking away!!
Greek cuisine. The fastest way to get to heaven without dying. This is going to be a massively enjoyable week! ๐
(Looks like Dozer Dawg has fallen in love with that container!! ๐ :-D)
It looks like he fell asleep in that container!! ๐
Hi Nagi! This week sounds wonderful! I just wonโt tell Gary thereโs yogurt involved ๐ I just got back from the store and everything for a Medeterrian salad was on sale so now I have all the ingredients for that! Baklava/Buttlover is one of my favorite things!!! Canโt wait!
Ooooh! Youโre in prime season still too, am jealous! Say hi to G for me please ๐ N xxx
Dearest Nagi,
While home on Steriods trying to recuperate from a miserable Head and Chest Cold, I see your most wonderful
Greek Chicken Recipe.
Know well the ingredients involved are just what my body needs and will be a much needed stimulate to the
Steriods that I am taking. Canโt wait to get out of bed and get t he oven going. Have all the ingridents in house
except the Chicken, and my butcher will deliver on a phone call.
See, even Dozer knows that the Greek Yogurt is best for him too.
Thanks so much Nagi, your always coming through at the right time. You are the very best of them all.
Hi Bobby! Iโm sorry to hear you arenโt well, are you feeling better now?? ๐ N xx
Aaah!! Sooo looking forward to the BUTTLOVER ๐ best food week ever!
I brought it forward to today! I buggered up the potato footage, have to fix something before I post it! N xx
This recipe yum cannot wait for the next ones that are coming. Just love this Greek week full of thee best recipes. Tzatziki is such a favourite of mine and I know your recipe is going to be over the top. Going now to look at it. Thank you so much Nagi for all the great recipes!!
I didnโt get a chance to do it today so I promise to share it tomorrow! Sorry Lesley, had some video dramas!! N xx
Donโt worry no rush. I thank you for even doing this for us. My granddaughter will just love it and so will I. Thank you again for all your amazing recipes they are the best on the web hands down as I have said so many times!!!
Hello Nagi. Would you have a recipe for Rose Pasta Sauce? My granddaughter was asking me for one. Thank you so much. Just love your recipes they are the best out on the web hands down!!!
Here it is! ๐ https://salesdock.info/creamy-tomato-pasta/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Will definitely try this recipe, as well as the ones you post later in the week. My best friend is Greek, so these recipes have a special appeal. Iโve never seen that brand of Greek yogurt in MN, but Iโll give our little Norwich the container of Greek yogurt we typically buy and see if I can get a similar, albeit smaller, replica of Dozerโs picture, which cracked me UP! He actually looks like heโs taking a bit of a nap after his indulgenceโฆ Too funny!
It looks like that container got stuck on his head!! Giant head, giant yoghurt tub!!
Looking forward to Greek Week! Bring it on!
I noticed you used full fat Greek Yogurtโฆ.Will it make any difference if we were to use less fat or fat free????
Thanks..:)
Hi Lyn! It will be fine from a marinating perspective ๐ Well, low fat. Not sure about zero fat, sorry! N x
Another great recipe. Dozer looked tired after finishing off that yogurt lol.
He looks like he fell asleep in there!!
Hi Nagi! I need to try this! Iโll be using boneless chicken breasts though. Is 20 minutes the entire cooking time for those, or are they brushed with marinade again and go back in the oven for another 20?
Thanks and greetings from Germany! ๐
Hi Alex! Itโs the total cook time ๐ 40 minutes would dry out the breast pretty badly!! N xx
Thank you, Nagi โ thatโs what I figured too, just wanted to make sure. ๐
Iโve already made your lemon potato salad absolutely delicious canโt wait to cook Greek week
Hope you get a chance to try some of the recipes Robyn! N xx
Omg Iโm drooling. Been absolutely craving chicken. Was gonna make โchicken tonightโ but itching Iโll give this a try. It looks delish! What an exciting week!
Hope you get a chance to try it Meris! This really is SO GOOD!!! N xx