Simple and quick baked Greek chicken thighs. They’re made with the best ever lemon herb and yogurt Greek chicken marinade! This naturally keto and gluten free dinner is a family favorite!
Greek Chicken Thighs
Don’t you just love recipes that are so easy they’re basically foolproof? They’re my favorite, too.
This recipe is marinated in Greek yogurt and seasonings to make it flavorful and tender, and then it’s baked at a high heat to melt the fat on the thighs and lock in all of the incredible juicy flavor.
Seriously, this recipe couldn’t be any easier and it just turns out well. Every single time.
It’s become a favorite meal prep recipe in our house because it’s so great to have around to chop up and toss on salad. I hope you love it as much as we do!
What Cut of Meat Should I Use?
I prefer using boneless skinless chicken thighs. They’re easy to work with, packed with flavor, and complement this recipe really well.
You could really use any piece of chicken you like though! If you use bone in chicken, it will have to cook for longer and at a lower temperature. Be sure to always check the thickest part of the meat you’re cooking and cook the poultry until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F on a meat thermometer.
Some other cuts of chicken I’d consider using are:
- Breasts
- Cutlets
- Tenders
- Legs
- Leg Quarters
- Drumsticks
How Long Should I Marinate Chicken?
We’re using Greek yogurt to marinate the chicken because it contains lactic acid. The lactic acid interacts with the proteins in the meat and tenderizes it, leaving you with the most incredible melt-in-your-mouth chicken dinner!
You really only need to marinate the chicken for 15 – 30 minutes. You can marinate the chicken overnight, or for up to 24 hours, though.
How Should I Cook the Chicken?
I love making this recipe baked in the oven on a sheet pan. I think it also works really well roasted in a cast iron skillet or in a Dutch oven.
If you don’t have an oven, feel free to make this a stovetop pan fried skillet recipe! I’d probably sear each side for 4 minutes each, then add 1/4 cup chicken broth, cover the skillet, and simmer it on low until the internal temperature reaches 165 F at the thickest point (checking the internal temperature after 5 minutes).
I think this would also be delicious made in an air fryer. I haven’t tested that though, so if you do, please let me know how it goes!
What Seasoning Should I Use?
The herbs in the Greek seasoning really make this recipe! I like using my own homemade blend, but if you use a store bought one, use a salt free one. If the seasoning blend you use has salt, omit the additional salt in the recipe.
I think some fresh dill, fresh oregano, paprika, and freshly cracked peppercorn would complement the flavors well. I’ve also heard that some people enjoy it with fresh mint.
Greek Chicken Ingredients
We’re using just a few ingredients to make this amazing zesty recipe.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Greek Yogurt
- Olive Oil
- Lemon Zest
- Lemon Juice
- Garlic
- Greek Seasoning
- Fine Sea Salt
Can I Make Greek Chicken Without Lemon?
Technically, yes, you can. The lemon is a really critical element in this recipe though. There’s lots of lemon zest and lemon juice and they add the most incredible flavor.
I’m always a fan of using what you have on hand though, so if you don’t have lemon (or don’t like lemon), I’d recommend swapping out the lemon juice and lemon zest for lime juice and lime zest. You could also use a bit of red wine vinegar if you’re really in a pinch!
Can I Make this Dairy-Free?
Definitely! If you need to make this easy recipe dairy-free, just swap the Greek yogurt for vegan yogurt or plant-based sour cream.
Can I Make this Keto?
This recipe is keto as it’s written! No other alterations are needed. This recipe contains approximately 2.9 net carbs per servings, according to Cronometer.
Can I Make this Gluten Free?
This recipe is naturally gluten free and doesn’t need any other alterations.
What Should I Serve This With?
First and foremost, I definitely recommend serving this with our super popular Tzatziki sauce! It’s really the perfect dip to pair with this recipe – especially on a warmed pita sprinkled with a little zaatar seasoning to make a delicious gyro.
I also love cutting the chicken up into chunks, marinating them, and then grilling up souvlaki or kabobs (kebabs for all my UK friends). Seriously SO good.
The flavorful things I love serving this with are:
- Feta
- Tomato
- Artichoke Hearts
- Kalamata Olives
- Vegetables
- Greek Chicken Salad
- Tomato Cucumber Salad
My favorite carbs to serve this dish with are:
- Potato Wedges
- Greek Potatoes
- Rice
- Risotto
- Orzo
- Couscous
- Quinoa
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
Click here to pin this recipe for later!
Baked Greek Chicken Thighs with Greek Chicken Marinade
Simple baked Greek chicken thighs with the best ever lemon herb and yogurt Greek chicken marinade! This naturally keto and gluten free dinner is a favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs (washed and dried)
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- Zest of one lemon
- Juice of 1 ½ lemons (about 6 Tablespoons)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons dried Greek seasoning (salt free)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken by adding the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, Greek seasoning, salt, and chicken thighs to a large ziplock bag. Close the bag and squeeze to move the chicken around and coat in the yogurt marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425 F. The high temperature is very important for this recipe. It helps to melt the fat from the thighs and lock the flavors in.
- Bake the chicken for 20 - 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature at the thickest point reads 165 F on a meat thermometer.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and place on a plate. Tent loosely with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
If you don’t have a Greek seasoning blend on hand, you can replace this with an Italian seasoning blend.
If the Greek seasoning you use has salt, omit the rest of the salt in the recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1/4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 246Total Fat: 17.7gSaturated Fat: 1.7gTrans Fat: 0gCarbohydrates: 3gNet Carbohydrates: 2.9gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 1.3gProtein: 20.6g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate. This was calculated assuming lowfat Greek yogurt was used.
Try making this delicious recipe for baked Greek chicken thighs in the best Greek chicken marinade!
