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Yogurt Marinated Chicken – Juicy and Flavor-Packed

Tender chicken marinated in Greek yogurt and spices, then baked, grilled, or pan-fried for a juicy, flavorful meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Marinade
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 0.5 tsp turmeric
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp honey optional
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
Chicken
  • 1.5 pounds chicken thighs or breasts
Garnish
  • fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
  • lemon wedges for serving

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Skillet or grill

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken dry and cut into even pieces if using breasts.
  2. Mix Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, salt, honey, and oregano in a bowl.
  3. Coat the chicken in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 2–6 hours (or overnight).
  4. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat grill/pan.
  5. Remove excess marinade and cook the chicken: bake 20–25 minutes, grill 5–6 minutes per side, or pan-fry 6–7 minutes per side.
  6. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving.
  7. Garnish with parsley/cilantro and lemon wedges, then serve with rice, salad, or veggies.

Notes

For best results, use Greek yogurt and avoid marinating for more than 8 hours to prevent mushy texture.