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
Greek Chicken – Garlicky lemony oregano flavours infused right through the chicken from a flavour loaded Greek chicken marinade;
Greek Salad – the juicy tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, that red wine vinegar dressing and the pops of feta!
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;orLemon 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!!
Love the new website…..very easy to navigate….and lose track of time while browsing among so many great recipes.
Great to hear! ☺️
This Greek marinade chicken is a definite keeper! Will be making this frequently. Made a triple batch to serve four, and had NO leftovers (poor me..).
I’m so happy you loved it Suzanne! There is nothing worse than not having any leftovers!!! 😂
I like this website alot better! Much easier to use..
I am an ardent follower and I find the presentation, clear cooking methods and most of all the lovely savoury dishes that are displayed (Yum Yum). The website is a credit to the recipetineats team. We’ll done keep up the good work. Really Appreciated.
Thanks so much for the awesome feedback!
Love the functionality of your new website and catalogue-style, Nagi! The mouthwatering pixs of gorgeous dishes across the pages made me want to rush right out to try out the recipes. Not only that, it demands that I explore them to the fullest extent so that I can see what’s hidden in every nook and cranny. For a novice, I find your recipes simple to make,
easy to follow, how to’s with great diagrams & videos, tips, techniques and notes helpful. The site’s design clean and easy to navigate; it has everything from one pot recipes to meal prep, plus calorie counts for Weight Watchers, fantastic! There’s also Dozer and your infectious enthusiasm with your readers really inspired me. Thank you so very much, Nagi, keep up the good work! Bless you! 😊
You’re so welcome Betty, thank you for taking the time to provide such awesome feedback!
Your recipes look delicious.
Thanks so much Pat!
hi..i am melanie b. mendoza from the Philippines…i love Japanese food and it is so great that i’ve subscribed in your recipe site…your new website design as i may say is complete with your daily recipe plus related post of other recipes… not just Japanese food recipes but a mixture of foreign cuisine…with trivias, feedback and other facts…and so for that i thank you 🙂 i enjoy most of your shared recipes and happy eating always yum yum :)_
Thanks so much for the amazing feedback! ❤️
Totally awesome
Thanks Paul!
At the risk of repeating myself, my, but you are a piece of work! I always share your recipes, just to spread the love. Your recipes, your writing, and your stunningly assembled photos, all conspire to get us slobbering! It seems I found you relatively early in your career/passion, and I love it all. And then there’s Dozer!! Best of luck in everything you do, we all love you. Merry Christmas!
aww shucks! Thanks so much Dana! Have a great Christmas!
I love the new look, much easier to follow. Your videos are useful and inspiring. Merry Christmas from Chicago
I love the Life of Dozer! Love the new website, thank you for always providing the best recipes!
The new web site looks great! And I will definitely be trying the Greek Chicken recipe.
Love the new look and always enjoy your videos!
Thanks so much Joanne!!
Love everything you make.
Thanks Ginny!!
Love the website. Haven’t had much time to browse.
I love all your recipes and your mums as well.
Thanks Jane! I love hearing feedback!
Loving your new website so easy to navigate around. Love your page I get so inspired to cook. Thank you
Thanks so much!
Would rate it 10 stars if I could. Transports you straight to Greece!
Hi Nagi. Your new website is much more user friendly. We love the Greek menu and make it often. You don’t know how much your videos have inspired me to cook something that I wouldn’t have bothered to try. Big hug to Dozer, he’s a scream!
Hi Alma, thats so nice of you to say, I’m so glad you find the videos useful!!
You are now our first stop for inspiration.
Love the website!
You are too kind Helen! 😘
Who’d of thought, you are not only a master chef but also a master tech geek to put together this great site (yeah, i’m buttering you up). Your site has been my go to site to experience and test out new recipes in easy to follow directions. My girlfriend raves about my cooking abilities since I’ve been a subscriber to your recipes (mums the word) :). Anyway it really is a great site. Thanks again and Happy Holidays.
You have one lucky Girlfriend Robert!! Thanks so much and I hope you have a great Christmas!