Description
Juicy Greek Chicken brings Mediterranean flair to your dinner table with tangy herbs and zesty lemon. Marinated perfection meets simple preparation, making this crowd-pleasing dish a total game-changer for casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds chicken tenderloins
Oils and Acids:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon zest
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
- Crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Whisk ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, lemon zest, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Completely coat your 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins in the zesty marinade.
- Refrigerate the chicken for 2 hours, allowing the herbs and citrus to deeply penetrate your meat. Ensure the marinade covers every inch of the chicken.
- Preheat your oven to 425F. Remove chicken from refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spread pieces without overlapping to ensure even cooking.
- Bake the chicken for 18-20 minutes, checking internal temperature reaches 165F with a meat thermometer. The exterior should turn golden and slightly crispy.
- Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes. This helps redistribute juices and keeps your meat tender.
- Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and crumbled feta cheese over the chicken. Serve immediately while warm and fragrant.
Notes
- Always marinate chicken for maximum flavor, allowing the citrus and herbs to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Ensure chicken reaches exact internal temperature of 165F to guarantee food safety without overcooking and drying out the meat.
- For crispy exterior, pat chicken completely dry before cooking and use high heat method like grilling or hot oven roasting.
- Experiment with marinade variations by adding Mediterranean herbs like rosemary or swapping lemon for orange zest for different flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 287 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg