Description
This Greek Chicken Marinade recipe creates tender, flavorful chicken infused with classic Mediterranean ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and garlic. Perfect for grilling, baking, or stovetop cooking, this marinade enhances chicken breasts for a delicious, healthy meal packed with bright citrus and herb flavors.
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red vinegar (or more to taste)
- 1 lemon (juice only)
- 1 teaspoon honey (or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken parts (boneless, skinless chicken breast recommended)
Instructions
- Make marinade: Whisk together all marinade ingredients—olive oil, red vinegar, lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, oregano, salt, paprika, and pepper—in a medium measuring jug until well combined.
- Prep chicken: Place chicken breasts in a large zip-top bag. Leave the bag open and carefully pound the chicken with a meat mallet or rolling pin to an even thickness of ½ to ¾ inch. This helps the chicken cook evenly and absorb the marinade better.
- Marinate chicken: Pour the marinade over the chicken in the bag. Remove most of the air and seal the bag securely. Massage the marinade into the chicken for 30 to 60 seconds to ensure thorough coating.
- Rest: Refrigerate the bagged chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat deeply.
- Cook: When ready to cook, take the chicken out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the bag just before cooking, discarding the bag and leftover marinade. Cook the chicken by grilling, baking, or stovetop pan-frying until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part.
Notes
- For even marinating, pound chicken to an even thickness before applying marinade.
- If you don’t have a zip-top bag, place chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap or use a non-metallic container covered tightly.
- Cooking methods: Grill for smoky flavor, bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or pan-fry on medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side until fully cooked.
- Always ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
