Greek Yogurt Marinade for Chicken Weekly Meal Prep
The best Greek yogurt marinade with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs. The easiest marinade to add to your Sunday meal prep rotation!
This Greek yogurt chicken marinade naturally fits into the way I like to cook: ahead of time and with intention. The texture stays tender, the flavors stay vibrant, and the chicken reheats beautifully. Prep it once, then let it work for you.
Looking for more Mediterranean-style chicken? Don't miss my Garlic Tahini Chicken. It's herby, juicy, and very saucy.
How to Make Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade
- Add all the fresh ingredients to a bowl: yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk to combine all the ingredients, creating a smooth yogurt marinade.
Recipe Tips Before Marinating
Before adding the chicken, scoop out ½ cup of the marinade and set it aside.
If you're anything like our yogurt-loving family, you'll want a little extra for serving. It's the perfect creamy topping to spoon over the cooked chicken later.
- Place your chicken in a zip-top bag or shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the top, ensuring every piece is fully coated.
- Seal it up and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour (or overnight if you've got time).
How to Bake Marinated Greek Yogurt Chicken
- For juicy, flavorful chicken baked in the oven, preheat the oven to 375°F and arrange the marinated chicken on a sheet pan.
- You can bake it directly with the marinade for a saucy finish, or drain off the excess for crisper edges. Just pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until an internal temperature reaches 165°F. Then let it rest before slicing.
How to Grill Marinated Greek Yogurt Chicken
- If you're firing up the grill, preheat it to medium-high and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Add the marinated chicken (discarding any extra marinade) and grill for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This step locks in the juices and keeps the chicken tender.
Meal Prep Notes & Weekly Use
- This marinade works especially well for batch cooking. I usually prep 1½-2 pounds of chicken at a time.
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but up to 24 hours for a deeper flavor.
- Cook all at once using your preferred method: grill, oven, or skillet, then let cool completely.
- Store cooked chicken in airtight containers for 3-4 days. The texture stays tender and the flavor stays bright.
- Use throughout the week with grains, bowls, chopped salads, or wraps.
More Meal Prep Chicken Marinade Recipes
PrintGreek Yogurt Marinade
This Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken is good for 2-4 pounds of chicken. This marinade will make your chicken tender, juicy, and packed with Mediterranean flavor thanks to a creamy blend of yogurt, lemon, olive oil, garlic, and fresh oregano.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes (not including marinating)
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main Dish, Marinades
- Method: Stovetop or Grill
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅓ cup whole-fat Greek yogurt
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup lightly packed fresh oregano leaves
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh oregano and lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Add all of the marinade ingredients to a bowl and mix until well combined. Before adding the chicken, scoop out ½ cup of the marinade and set it aside for serving later-it's a creamy, lemony topping we always reach for in our yogurt-loving household.
- Season your chicken with salt and pepper on all sides. It's all about building layers of flavor.
- Place the chicken in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the remaining marinade over it, making sure every piece is fully coated.
- Refrigerate and marinate for at least 60 minutes, or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, add the marinated chicken (letting excess marinade drip off) and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing. If desired, spoon some of the reserved yogurt sauce over the chicken to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 136
- Sugar: 0.7 g
- Sodium: 1193 mg
- Fat: 12.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.7 g
- Fiber: 1.6 g
- Protein: 3.1 g
- Cholesterol: 75.3 mg