Looking for a minimal work/high reward dinner? Try this Greek chicken marinade. It comes together with some fresh herbs and a handful of pantry staples, and adds loads of flavor to otherwise boring chicken breast. Use it as a grilled chicken marinade or baked Mediterranean chicken.

greek chicken recipe used as a grilled chicken marinade on a platter

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Ingredients For This Chicken Marinade

Grab a large ziplock baggie, your Greek chicken marinade ingredients, and some chicken, and you’re almost there! Here are some questions you may have about our ingredient list:

Can I use dry instead of fresh herbs? You can, although I don’t recommend it–dry herbs lack the texture and flavorful oils of fresh. If necessary to swap, keep in mind that dry herbs are more concentrated, and can be substituted by using 1/3 of the amount.
Can I swap the oil? Again, you can, however, olive oil adds delicious flavor that further enhances this Greek chicken marinade.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Sure can! This marinade works as a chicken thigh/chicken breast marinade, heck even a salmon marinade.

How to Make Greek Chicken Marinade

Chicken marinade recipes are the best because they only take a few minutes of hands on time to throw together–let your ingredients do all the heavy lifting! Here’s how:

Toss all chicken marinade ingredients together in a baggie. I like to nestle the baggie inside of a large mixing bowl, so ingredients can easily be added without spilling.
Add the chicken and toss to evenly coat.
Marinade, then bake, sear, or grill.

marinade for chicken ingredients together in a bowl

chicken and marinade for chicken in a resealable bag

How long should chicken stay in a marinade?

Marinades with high acidity can break down the proteins in chicken more quickly, and over tenderize the meat (such as this Greek chicken marinade which contains lemon juice). Because of this, I recommend shorter marinating times of 30 minutes to 2 hours.

How to Serve This Greek Chicken?

When serving this Greek chicken, we like to keep it simple with grilled or roasted vegetables, and a side of rice (or cauliflower rice!). You can also slice it and serve it over a bed of fresh greens and veggies for a Greek chicken salad.

For a fancy dinner, consider serving it alongside other Mediterranean classics, such as shrimp saganaki, zoodle salad, or pesto zucchini pasta.

greek chicken marinade on a plate with lemon slices

How to Cook Chicken Marinade Recipes

As with all chicken marinade recipes, you can cook this Greek chicken marinade however you prefer. Keep in mind, cooktimes will vary significantly with how thick your chicken breast is. Here are my 3 favorite ways to cook this chicken breast marinade:

Grilled (yup! This is an awesome grilled chicken marinade) – Sear in a grill set to medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5-8 minutes per side.
Oven baked – Preheat oven to 400 F. Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake till cooked through, should be between 18-25 minutes.
Pan seared – Heat a pan to medium heat, and sear on each side for 6-8 minutes. If using an extra thick breast I find placing the lid on top and slightly reducing the heat to be helpful in cooking the breast all the way through.

How to Prevent Dried Out Chicken?

If it’s happened to you, know that you’re not alone. Chicken breast is easy to overcook, and once it dries out, no one wants to eat it! Here are my top tips to prevent dried out chicken:

Use a marinade – you’re on the right track! Acidic ingredients like vinegar, citrus juice, or yogurt in the marinade can help tenderize the meat.
Use a meat thermometer to test the doneness of your chicken breast, this is the best way to prevent dried-out chicken. Check temp early and often, the goal is 165 F.
Wait 10 minutes before slicing into your chicken breast. This rest time allows the juices to redistribute and helps keep the chicken moist