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!!
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 too…mine 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?😂
I know!! It totally looks like he fell asleep in there! But actually he’s got his eyes closed in concentration while he’s licking away!!
Greek cuisine. The fastest way to get to heaven without dying. This is going to be a massively enjoyable week! 🙂
(Looks like Dozer Dawg has fallen in love with that container!! 😀 :-D)
It looks like he fell asleep in that container!! 😂
Hi Nagi! This week sounds wonderful! I just won’t tell Gary there’s yogurt involved 🙂 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!!! Can’t wait!
Ooooh! You’re in prime season still too, am jealous! Say hi to G for me please 🙂 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. Can’t 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! I’m sorry to hear you aren’t well, are you feeling better now?? 🙂 N xx
Aaah!! Sooo looking forward to the BUTTLOVER 😂 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 didn’t get a chance to do it today so I promise to share it tomorrow! Sorry Lesley, had some video dramas!! N xx
Don’t 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! 🙂 https://www.recipetineats.com/creamy-tomato-pasta/
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. I’ve never seen that brand of Greek yogurt in MN, but I’ll give our little Norwich the container of Greek yogurt we typically buy and see if I can get a similar, albeit smaller, replica of Dozer’s picture, which cracked me UP! He actually looks like he’s taking a bit of a nap after his indulgence… 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 Yogurt….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 🙂 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! I’ll 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! 🙂
Hi Alex! It’s the total cook time 🙂 40 minutes would dry out the breast pretty badly!! N xx
Thank you, Nagi – that’s what I figured too, just wanted to make sure. 🙂
I’ve already made your lemon potato salad absolutely delicious can’t wait to cook Greek week
Hope you get a chance to try some of the recipes Robyn! N xx
Omg I’m drooling. Been absolutely craving chicken. Was gonna make “chicken tonight” but itching I’ll 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
Mediterranean food is a favorite around here, so let the Greek Week begin. Your chicken looks yummy. Greek yogurt is a staple in our fridge, however Farmers Union hasn’t made it up our way. Can’t wait until Wednesday, hoping to find a good Greek potato recipe and yours look grand in your image.
Poor Dozer, he must even work when he’s snoozing.
I buggered up the video!! I have to reshoot tomorrow 🙂
I think he’s fallen asleep in there. (He is called Dozer after all.)
BA HA HA!!! I almost choked on a mouthful of food when I read this!!
Nagi I love this Greek week!! How exciting. Can’t wait for the crunchy lemon roasted potatoes … please!! 😋
Hope you love them!! The flavour those potatoes suck up is INCREDIBLE!!!
Yes! I agree with Janna – Crunchy Lemon Roasted Potatoes please!!!!
Coming Friday!! I buggered something up and I have to reshoot something! N xx
Thanks for the update on the potatoes. Sorry you had to reshoot! Can’t wait to try them! Just had your smashed crispy potatoes last night. I think I could eat the entire tray myself! Yummy!!
Ohhhhh this looks delicious! Love your gyros recipe, can’t wait to try this one too! Quick question, do you need to baste if using chicken breast?
Hi Katrina! Thanks for the, updated the note, yes baste! N x
I wondered that too, but it looks as though my comment didn’t post. I also wondered about cooking time for boneless chicken breast, Nagi – 20 minutes? Then baste and another 20? I bought ingredients and want to try this tomorrow. 🙂
Hi Alex! It’s in Note 1 🙂 I would baste a few minutes before finishing. Though to be honest, best would be on the stove for breast! N xx
Thanks, Nagi! I made this recipe last night and you’re right – next time I’ll make them in a pan. They were very juicy and tender, but didn’t brown in the stove. Pan-frying should fix that. 🙂
Hello Alex, in Note 1 Nagi says 20 minutes at 390F for breasts. I think 40 minutes would be way too long for breasts.
Regards Sharon.
Hi Sharon! Thanks, that’s cleared up. I did roast them for 35 minutes (starting at 200°C and finishing at 250°C) and they were very tender and juicy. Next time I’ll pan-fry them, though, since without the skin they didn’t get crispy in the oven.
Agreed Sharon! They’d be shrivelled up hockey pucks!!