Yogurt-Marinated Chicken – Skinnytaste
Grilled chicken thigh (or chicken breast) is marinated in Greek yogurt marinade to make the chicken the most tender. Easy yogurt marinated chicken.

yogurt marinated chicken
Grilled chicken thighs (or breast) marinated in yogurt are so juicy and delicious thanks to this easy yogurt marinade. This easy yogurt marinade is flavored with lots of garlic, oregano, red vinegar and turmeric and takes just a few minutes to whip up. I love marinating my chicken in yogurt. Because the chicken will be incredibly tender. I like to have this as a meal with a Greek salad with tzatziki as a dressing, or in a bowl with rice pilaf and cucumber. You can also make it in a frying pan or fryer!

FAQ
What happens when chicken is dipped in yogurt?
The Greek yogurt marinade slowly softens the chicken and makes it juicy. Yogurt is a gentle and effective way to tenderize meat. Acidic chicken marinades can make the meat tough and rubbery, while yogurt slowly breaks down the proteins in the meat, resulting in the most tender texture.
How long should chicken be marinated in yogurt?
The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful and tender the chicken will be. At least he recommends 1 hour, but you can do up to 8 hours. Since the marinade contains vinegar, it is better not to leave it too long.
Do you wipe the yogurt marinade?
Spread the yogurt thinly and evenly over the meat. Because it has all the flavor. Too much will stick to the grill and burn.
How long does it take to soften chicken in yogurt?
Yogurt marinades start working in as little as an hour, but you can keep meat marinated for up to 8 hours.
Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make this healthy Greek yogurt marinade for 2 pounds. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs again boneless skinless chicken breast:
- Greek yogurt: I use 1% plain Greek yogurt, but you can use full-fat or fat-free yogurt.
- olive oil and red wine vinegar Thin yogurt to evenly coat the chicken and add flavor.
- garlic: Finely chop 5 cloves of garlic.
- seasoning: dried oregano, turmeric, salt, red pepper flakes (optional)
How to make yogurt marinade for chicken
- Whisk all marinade ingredients into a large bowl.
- add chicken Stir to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to a large resealable plastic bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-low heat. Grease a grill grate or grill pan and sprinkle the chicken with salt and red pepper. Grill chicken for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, until gravy runs clear. Check for doneness with a food thermometer. If you don’t have a grill, you can cook in an iron skillet, air fryer, or griddle.
- garnish Garnish with parsley and garnish with lemon wedges.
what to eat with yogurt marinated chicken
This Greek yogurt marinated chicken is great as a main in bowls, pita wraps, salads, or the side dishes below.
How to store leftover chicken
This chicken is perfect for meal prep. Leftover grilled chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can eat it chilled or warm it up in the microwave until warm. If freezing, store in an airtight container in the freezer for 3 months, then thaw in the refrigerator.
variation
- chicken: Replace boneless chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts. For bone-in chicken, adjust cooking time as needed.
- Herbs: Sub-dried thyme and rosemary for oregano, fresh dill and mint for parsley.
- spices: Experiment with seasonings by adding paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and more.
- Vinegar: If you don’t have red wine vinegar, you can substitute white wine, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice.
- Cooking method: You can also bake this yogurt-marinated chicken in a 400°F oven for about 20 minutes.



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yield: Four one serving
Serving size: 2 boneless thigh
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Combine yogurt, oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, turmeric, salt and red pepper flakes in a large bowl and mix well.
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Add chicken and stir. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.
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Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-low heat (a cast-iron skillet will also work). Grease a grate or grill pan and sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper to taste.
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Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through the center of the thickest part of the chicken, about 5 to 7 minutes on each side.
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Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon.
Last step:
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Serving: 2 boneless thigh, calorie: 314 kcal, carbohydrates: Four g, protein: 46 g, obesity: 11.5 g, saturated fat: 3 g, cholesterol: 215 mg, sodium: 584 mg, fiber: 0.5 g, sugar: 1.5 g