Description
Greek Chicken brings Mediterranean flavors straight to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum taste. Marinated in zesty herbs and lemon, this simple protein turns an ordinary meal into a restaurant-worthy experience without complicated cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Cooking Liquids and Aromatics:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika or red pepper flakes
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare marinade ingredients carefully in a large mixing bowl: whisk 60 milliliters (¼ cup) olive oil, 45 milliliters (3 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 5 grams (1 teaspoon) dried oregano, 3 grams (½ teaspoon) salt, and 1 gram (¼ teaspoon) black pepper until smoothly combined.
- Add 680 grams (1.5 pounds) boneless chicken breasts or thighs to the marinade mixture, ensuring each piece gets completely coated. Seal container and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes, preferably up to 24 hours for deeper seasoning.
- Remove chicken from refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature. Preheat oven to 204 celsius (400 fahrenheit) if baking, or prepare grill/skillet at medium-high heat.
- For oven method, transfer marinated chicken to baking dish. Pour remaining marinade over chicken pieces. Roast at 204 celsius (400 fahrenheit) for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74 celsius (165 fahrenheit).
- For grilling, place chicken directly on clean, oiled grill grates. Cook 5-6 minutes per side, rotating once to create attractive crosshatch marks.
- When pan-searing, heat skillet to medium-high with small amount of additional olive oil. Cook chicken 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown exterior develops.
- Allow cooked chicken to rest 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or crumbled feta cheese if desired.
Notes
- Marinating overnight transforms this chicken from good to phenomenal, developing deep, complex flavors that permeate every bite.
- Checking internal temperature with a meat thermometer guarantees perfectly cooked chicken without dryness or safety concerns.
- Patting chicken dry before cooking helps create a gorgeous golden-brown exterior that seals in delicious juices.
- Using fresh lemon and herbs instead of dried ingredients dramatically improves the brightness and authenticity of the Greek-style marinade.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes (baking) or 10-14 minutes (grilling) or 12-14 minutes (pan-searing)
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 183
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 170
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0.2
- Protein: 23
- Cholesterol: 70