Easy Yogurt-Marinated Chicken made with grilled boneless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts) made with a Greek yogurt marinade for the most tender chicken.
Yogurt-Marinated Chicken
These grilled Yogurt-Marinated Chicken thighs (or breasts) are so juicy and delicious thanks to this easy yogurt marinade. I love whipping up this quick yogurt marinade flavored with lots of garlic, oregano, red vinegar and turmeric, it takes just minutes to whip up! The yogurt slowly breaks down the proteins in the meat resulting in the most tender texture! I like to make this a meal by serving it with a Greek salad using tzatziki as the dressing, or make it a rice bowl with rice pilaf and some cucumbers. You can also make this in a skillet or air fryer!
Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade Ingredients
Here is everything you’ll need to make this healthy Greek yogurt marinade for two pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts:
- Greek Yogurt: I use 1% plain Greek yogurt, but full fat or nonfat will work too.
- Olive Oil and Red Wine Vinegar to thin the yogurt so it evenly coats the chicken and adds flavor.
- Garlic: Finely chop five garlic cloves.
- Seasoning: Dried oregano, turmeric, salt, red pepper flakes (optional)
How to Make Yogurt-Marinated Chicken
Here’s the step-by-step process. See recipe card below for printable recipe.
- Whisk all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add the chicken and stir to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour or up to 8 hours.
- Grill the Chicken: Grill the chicken on each side for 5 to 7 minutes, until the juices run clear. If you don’t have a grill you can cook it in a cast iron skillet, air fryer or griddle.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Yogurt-Marinated Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
Greek Yogurt Marinade:
- 1/2 cup 1% plain Greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Chicken:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs, boneless skinless, 8 pieces total (fat trimmed)
- fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, turmeric, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Add the chicken and stir to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-low heat (a cast iron skillet works too). Oil the grates or grill pan and sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Grill the chicken about 5 to 7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through in the center of the thickest part of the chicken.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Air Fryer Method
- To air fry the chicken, cook 400F about 5 to 7 minutes on each side.
Last Step:
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FAQ
What does marinating chicken in yogurt do?
Greek yogurt marinades slowly tenderize the chicken to make it juicy. Yogurt is a gentle and effective way to tenderize meat. While acidic chicken marinades can toughen the meat and make it rubbery, yogurt slowly breaks down the proteins in the meat resulting in the most tender texture.
How long can chicken marinate in yogurt?
The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful and tender it will become. I recommend at least an hour, but you can do it for as long as eight hours. Since the marinade has vinegar, you don’t want to do it for too long.
Do you wipe off yogurt marinade?
You want a thin, even layer of yogurt on the meat because that’s where all the flavor is. If there’s too much, it will stick to the grill and burn.
How long does it take for yogurt to tenderize chicken?
Yogurt marinade starts working in as little as an hour, but you can continue to marinate the meat for up to eight hours.
Variations
- Chicken: Swap boneless skinless chicken thighs for boneless skinless chicken breasts. For bone-in chicken, adjust cook time as needed.
- Herbs: Sub dried thyme or rosemary for oregano or fresh dill or mint for parsley.
- Spices: Play around with the seasoning, add paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, black pepper etc.
- Vinegar: If you don’t have red wine vinegar, white wine, apple cider vinegar or lemon juice will work.
- Cooking Method: You can also bake this yogurt-marinated chicken in the oven at 400°F for about 20 minutes.
Ways to Serve Yogurt-Marinated Chicken
How to Store Leftover Chicken
This chicken is great for meal prep. Leftover grilled chicken lasts up to four days in the refrigerator. You can eat it cold or microwave it until warm. To freeze, store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months and thaw it in the fridge.
