Oven Roasted Greek Chicken Breasts

Name: Oven-Roasted Greek Chicken Breasts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 310 min
Ingredients: ½ cup plain Greek yogurt; ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil; ¼ cup fresh lemon juice; zest of 1 lemon; 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar; 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves (chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried)); 1 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoons dried); 6 medium garlic cloves (minced); 1 teaspoon Kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 4 bone-in skin-on chicken breasts

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Mediterranean inspired meaty marinated chicken breasts!

No boring chicken here!

I can’t wait for you try this Mediterranean inspired Oven Roasted Greek Chicken Breast recipe.

Chicken breasts marinated in an herb and garlic yogurt sauce then slow roasted to juicy perfection. This incredibly flavorful Oven Roasted Greek Chicken Breasts recipe is so versatile you can make it with any variety of chicken pieces or even a whole bird.

Do you love easy and flavorful dinner recipes? Me too! If you’re a little tired of the same old boring bird, jump on down and print this recipe my friends 🙂

What’s the best kind of poultry to use in this Greek chicken recipe?

I prefer to keep the chicken pieces all the same size for even cooking. I often use thighs or breasts, but this will also work for legs or even quarters. You can also use this marinade for grilling boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, and these incredibly tender chicken skewers too. It’s all great!

Ingredients needed to make Greek Chicken:

For the marinade:

plain Greek yogurt
olive oil
lemon juice
lemon zest
white balsamic vinegar
fresh or dried oregano leaves
fresh or dried thyme leaves
garlic
salt
pepper
red pepper flakes
olives – optional for adding in at the end

For the chicken:

bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, thighs, legs or quarters work well. You can also prepare an entire chicken with this same marinade.

How to make Greek Chicken:

First, combine all the marinade ingredients in a large zipper bag.
Next, loosen the skin on top of the chicken pieces and spoon some of the marinade under the skin. Place the chicken in the bag, seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before roasting. Preheat the oven. Place the chicken skin-side up in a roasting pan or large oven-proof skillet.
Roast the chicken, uncovered, until cooked through.
Add olives to the pan, drizzle the chicken with the juices and serve.

Make Oven-Roasted Greek Chicken Breasts for an easy weeknight family meal.

When I’m feeling really uninspired, I sprinkle a little seasoned salt blend or Mrs. Dash on the chicken and call it dinner. But when I manage to think about dinner early in the day, or even the day before, I whip up this easy marinade and let it work the magic on my favorite chicken breasts.

Once marinated for at least 4 hours or up to 24, all you have to do is put it in a pan and pop it in the oven! While the chicken roasts in the oven, steam some vegetables or make a quick Greek salad. Dinner’s done.

Even though this recipe is simple enough for a weeknight meal, it also makes an impressive dinner party main course. With all the prep work done well in advance, you’ll have more more time to finish the meal without feeling stressed.

Toss in a few olives at the end for nice visual appeal and briny flavor. The aroma of the fresh herbs and garlic is amazing, practically enticing everyone to the dinner table in record time.

Why use yogurt in the marinade?

Yogurt has always been revered as a healthy way to start the day. In addition to being high in protein and loaded with calcium, vitamins and probiotics, yogurt can also tenderize meats and chicken.

In THIS article by Tommy Werner, he describes how the microbes and lactic acid in yogurt are responsible for breaking down the proteins in chicken, making it tender and moist.

The active bacteria in Greek yogurt works slowly to tenderize the chicken without making the flesh mushy and soft. This mild form of lactic acid is a favorite with Middle Eastern and Indian inspired recipes too.

You’ll find yogurt is used to marinate our luscious Indian Butter Chicken Recipe and this popular and flavorful Chicken Tikka Masala recipe too. Yogurt’s not just for breakfast bowls and smoothies!

Thanks for PINNING!

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