5 Mediterranean Chicken Marinade Recipes

Try these five healthy chicken marinade recipes infused with fresh Mediterranean flavors using whole food ingredients. These marinades use dominant ingredients from Italy to Lebanon.

Jump to:

• Mediterranean Marinated Chicken Run-Through
• 1. Italian Arrabbiata Spicy Chicken Marinade
• 2. Greek Chicken Marinade
• 3. Herby Lebanese Chicken Marinade
• 4. Palestinian Za'atar Chicken Marinade
• 5. Turkish Chicken Marinade
• How to Cook Marinated Chicken
• Baking Chicken Instructions
• Grilling Chicken Instructions
• How Do You Know Chicken is Cooked?
• Is it safe to Marinate Chicken Overnight?
• 5 Mediterranean Chicken Marinade Recipes

Mediterranean Marinated Chicken Run-Through

All five Marinades have olive oil, herbs, and an acid. The acid tenderizes the meat, making it juicy and flavorful.

1. Each marinade is for every 2-4 pounds of chicken.
2. Marinate the chicken for at least 60 minutes, ideally overnight, for maximum flavor infusion.

1. Italian Arrabbiata Spicy Chicken Marinade

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup finely diced onion
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 + ½ teaspoons sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper or crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 (15 oz) can of tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ¼ cup packed basil leaves, chopped
• Fresh basil leaves for serving

Instructions

1. Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mix until well combined.
2. Place the chicken in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour any remaining marinade over the chicken, making sure it's fully coated.
3. Allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 60 minutes or overnight to maximize flavor infusion before cooking.

Expert advice: This Arrabbiata marinade is excellent as a dipping sauce. Before introducing the chicken to the marinade, remove ½ cup and set it aside. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, simmer the arrabbiata sauce until the onions are tender and thicken slightly, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Serve the reserved sauce in a bowl alongside the chicken and garnish with fresh basil.

Enjoy this Arrabbiata spicy chicken with my healthy zuppa toscana recipe, and my tender Mediterranean cauliflower salad.

2. Greek Chicken Marinade

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ⅓ cup whole-fat Greek yogurt
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest, about the zest of one large lemon
• ¼ cup lemon juice, about one large lemon
• ¼ cup lightly packed fresh oregano leaves
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh oregano and lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Follow the same instructions as the Italian Arrabiata chicken above.

Serve this Greek chicken with my rustic roasted vegetable soup, or red cabbage salad with Greek dressing.

3. Herby Lebanese Chicken Marinade

Ingredients

• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup lemon juice, about one large lemon
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
• 1 tablespoon shawarma seasoning or 1 tablespoon garam masala + ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 + ½ teaspoons sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
• Fresh mint leaves and lemon for garnish

Instructions

1. Follow the same instructions as the Italian Arrabiata chicken above.

Serve this herby Lebanese chicken with fattoush salad and Turkish-inspired bulgur soup.

4. Palestinian Za'atar Chicken Marinade

Ingredients

• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup lemon juice, about one large lemon
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons za'atar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• fresh parsley, lemon, and za'atar for garnish

Instructions

1. Follow the same instructions as the Italian Arrabiata chicken above.

Serve this za'atar chicken with a side of zhoug (spicy cilantro sauce) and Shirazi salad.

5. Turkish Chicken Marinade

Ingredients

• 1 (15 oz) can of tomato sauce
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon mild red pepper paste
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• Blistered peppers, tomatoes, and onions for serving.

Instructions

Follow the same instructions as the Italian Arrabiata chicken above.

Serve this Turkish marinated chicken with authentic kisir (Turkish bulgur salad) and cacik (Turkish cucumber yogurt sauce).

How to Cook Marinated Chicken

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Once heated, add a thin layer of olive oil, swirl to coat the bottom of the pan, and place the chicken flat-side down. Discard the remaining marinade.
2. Flip the chicken once golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Cook until an internal temperature reaches 165°F (73°C).
4. Remove the chicken from the pan. Rest for 2-3 minutes before enjoying.

Pro tip: If your chicken is thicker than half an inch, use an oven-safe skillet to brown both sides, then transfer the skillet to a preheated oven set at 400°F (204°C) and roast for 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (73°C).

Baking Chicken Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (73°C).
2. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Pro tip: Add the chicken with the marinade for saucy chicken. Drain the excess marinade for crispy chicken by placing it over paper towels. Continue to cook as instructed above.

Grilling Chicken Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
2. Place the chicken on the grill and discard the remaining marinade.
3. Grill the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
4. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and keep it moist.

How Do You Know Chicken is Cooked?

The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer. Additionally, the juices should run clear when pierced with a fork.

Is it safe to Marinate Chicken Overnight?

Yes, it is safe to marinate chicken overnight as long as it is always kept refrigerated. Marinating chicken for an extended period allows the flavors to penetrate the meat more deeply, resulting in a more flavorful dish.

Which chicken Mediterranean marinade did you try? Let us know in the comments along with a review! ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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