A yogurt marinated chicken that’s beautifully tenderized and infused with terrific garlic and oregano flavours! If you’re new to the magical powers of yogurt marinades, this baked Greek Chicken is going to convert you for life! Brought to you in 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 week it’s all about the bright fresh flavours of the Mediterranean. Think – lemons, oregano, yogurt, lemons and plenty of garlic!
Are you ready to see what I’ve got in store for you for Greek Week?? Here you go….
GREEK MENU
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Greek Chicken – Garlicky lemony oregano flavours infused right through the chicken from a flavour loaded Greek chicken marinade;
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Greek Salad – the juicy tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, that red wine vinegar dressing and the pops of feta!
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Tzatziki – for dipping and dolloping (recipe in Notes of Greek chicken)
Coming Thursday; -
Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes – crispy, lemony potatoes. It’s your dream come true!
Coming Friday;or -
Lemon Potato Salad (pictured in first photo)– terrific alternative to mayo based Potato Salads. Bonus: No need to peel the potatoes.
And for dessert….
Greek BUTTLOVER!!!!
Oops, I mean Baklava. Butt-lover / Baklava. Same thing. 😂 Coming your way on Friday…. (Psst It does take time to assemble but you’re 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 I’m 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 brilliant marinade. The Greeks know it, Middle Easterners have embraced it, the Persians love it, the Indians live by it (Butter Chicken, Tikka Masala, Biryani!).
What’s 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 – Farmers Union Greek Style Yogurt. It would be rare to find my fridge without a tub of this. More likely you’d see two: current in use + a restock.
There’s enough flavour in the Greek Chicken Marinade such that you don’t 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!
I’ve baked this chicken because I’ve 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. Especially breast – because it adds juiciness and flavour. I’ve popped directions and cook times in the recipe notes.
Go forth and enjoy! Back Wednesday for the next instalment in this weeks’ Greek Feast – Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes! – Nagi x
MORE GREAT YOGURT MARINADES
– Greek Chicken Gyros
– Lamb Shawarma – flavour loaded fall apart lamb!
– Doner Kebab (homemade version of post-pub midnight kebab run…)
– Butter Chicken
– Tikka Masala
– Chicken Biryani
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 - 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 it's 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
Getting right in there to make sure it’s sparkling clean before I pop it into the recycling bin!
Today’s recipe is brought to you courtesy of Farmers Union. I’ve used their Greek style natural yoghurt for as long as I can remember. So it was a no brainer when they asked if I’d create a recipe for them!!
Donna Klepper says
I love all your recipes, pictures of items and added notes to assist in making the recipes
Nagi says
Thanks so much Donna, I love hearing feedback!
Kage G Bee says
It’s Soooooo Good
Nagi says
Woot! SO glad you love it!
Nan says
Love the High Key look of the site now! Haven’t found any glitches so far. And, regarding this recipe, we’ve made it and love it! No glitches there either! 🙂
Nagi says
Thanks Nan and I’m so glad you love this recipe!
Jen says
Hi Nagi! Love your recipes and new website! Congrats on a makeover, pictures are ao teasing and stand out even more this way!
Nagi says
Thanks Jen!
Pat McGranahan says
Great job! Visuals are inspiring, layout is easy to follow.
(Am trying this Greek recipe tomorrow, let you know how it turns out!)
Nagi says
Thanks Pat! Enjoy the greek chicken!
Rebecca says
I must try this recipe…
Nagi says
You must! You’ll love it ☺️
Tracy Hudson says
Love the new site! I think it is much easier to find the recipes! Also ads aren’t as aggravating!
Nagi says
I’m so glad you love it Tracy!
Rosa Leonardi says
Your new site is a treat!
Organized, Colorful & Neat.
From these pages, I will eat.
Thank you Nagi, you are sweet.
Nagi says
Oh my goodness I LOVE THIS!!! ❤️
Manuel Mutuc says
New website is so easy to maneuver. Very organized. So easy to find the menu that you’re looking for.
Nagi says
Thanks for the feedback Manuel, so glad you’re enjoying it!
Susan Powers says
I love your new & improved website. A lot easier to find new recipes to try.
Ed says
Really like the new website design! Very clean and professional looking – it shows off your food photography really well!
Nagi says
Thanks for the feedback Ed!
Elizabeth Warmath says
Recipe Tin Eats recipes are copied and put in my recipe file the day they come. I cook it during the week. The family is still taking about my (your) dry brine turkey. I will search the new web site, it looks beautiful! The pictures are what sets your recipes apart…I can almost taste them before I make them.
Nagi says
Thank you so much Elizabeth, I truly enjoy hearing the feedback and I’m so glad the turkey was a big hit!
Sacha says
New look website is fantastic! Very swish. Was here this morning looking for dinner inspiration and found something within a minute!
Nagi says
Wahooo Sacha! Thanks for the feedback!
Andrea O'Halloran says
Great ideas for Christmas Eve
Party I go to every year for the last 34 years,
Nagi says
Awesome! Have a great Christmas Andrea!
Katie says
Hi Nagi! Beautiful presentation and delicious looking recipe!
Nagi says
Thanks so much Katie!
Gypsy says
G’day Nagi. Bewdy!!!. Here goes…
Firstly, your incoming producing ads no longer jump all over the place like they did previously. Generally I had to close them to view the page.
Secondly, your picture is MUCH more flattering. You look lovely & sooo more up to date.
Thirdly, love the layout of the whole website. Sooo much more professional & now it really shows off your gorgeous photography.
Fourthly, the recipe details are so much clearer. Absolute joy to look at your website now, even though it was good before! The whole site pops! (hey, that made me sound young & hip LOL) Bonser job Girl! xx
Nagi says
I really appreciate the feedback!! Thanks so much!
Maureen Anderson says
The one thing that separates your site from others in my opinion is the fantastic photography. Love it.
Nagi says
Thanks Maureen, I take a lot of pride in my work so it means a great deal to hear your feedback! ❤️
John Harris says
Looks very good
Nagi says
Thanks John, it’s so delicious!
Michaela says
I think this new website design is awesome and very easy to navigate around . . . Also i really love the knife :D.
Nagi says
Thanks Michaela!!
Valerie says
I’ll be making this next 🙂 it looks delicious! Your new website is very nice and professional, love it!
Nagi says
Thanks Valerie and I hope you love the greek chicken!!