Grilled Greek Chicken


A close up of Grilled Greek Chicken with text overlay.
Two pieces of Grilled Greek Chicken topped with Tzatziki Sauce with overlay text.

When you’re in the mood for a fresh, Mediterranean-style meal, this Grilled Greek Chicken will definitely hit the spot. Lemony-herbed grilled chicken served with freshly made Tzatziki Sauce is the perfect choice for a warm summer evening.

Sliced Greek Chicken with Tzatziki on a plate with colorful Greek salad.

This gorgeous Grilled Greek Chicken served with Tzatziki and Greek Salad is my idea of the perfect summer meal. It checks all the boxes.

  • The chicken marinates while you work and is ready to cook when you’re ready to eat.
  • The lemony, herby marinade infuses incredible flavor.
  • It’s low-carb and healthy but 100% satisfying.
  • It gives me yet another excuse to eat copious amounts of Tzatziki Sauce.
  • It is the base for a summery Greek-inspired meal that begs to be eaten outdoors.
Grilled Greek Chicken topped with fresh herbs piled on a board.

We started our grilling season early this year, especially by Oregon standards, and have been firing up our old school Weber on and off since April. It’s the California in us. When the sun comes out, so does the grill and lucky for us, we had some unseasonably warm and sunny weather this year.

Now that it’s officially summer, it is definitely time to get our grill on and this Grilled Greek Chicken is a fabulous choice.

Ingredient Notes

The ingredients for making Grilled Greek Chicken with overlay text.
  • Chicken – Any chicken pieces will work with this marinade but I prefer boneless, skinless breasts and thighs.
  • Fresh herbs – I’m a huge proponent of using dried herbs in many recipes, but not this one. Fresh rosemary, oregano, and thyme add that classic Greek flavor. The herbs from the marinade cling to the chicken pieces and char as they grill adding such great flavor.
  • Garlic – Fresh minced garlic.
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Lemon

How to Make Grilled Greek Chicken

Chicken marinating in a plastic storage bag and on a grill.
  1. Combine the olive oil, fresh herbs, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Place the chicken pieces in a resealable plastic storage bag and pour the the marinade over the top.
  3. Seal the bag and refrigerate the chicken for at least one and up to 8 hours.
  4. Grill over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked. The internal temperature of the thickest portion of chicken should register 165 degrees F before removing it from the grill.
Grilled Greek Chicken on a cutting board with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

Those charred flecks of herbs on the surface of the grilled chicken are delicious!

Make it a Freezer Meal

For an easy future meal, prepare the marinade as directed and pour it over the chicken in a freezer-safe plastic storage bag. Press out as much air as possible, seal and label the bag, and lay it flat in your freezer. A freezer bag is the best choice to ensure that the chicken will be immersed in marinade.

Thaw the chicken safely in the refrigerator overnight before grilling as directed in the recipe. Raw chicken in marinade can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Two pieces of Grilled Greek Chicken topped with Tzatziki on a plate with a colorful salad.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile Grilled Greek Chicken can be sliced to serve in a salad or wrapped in pitas. When serving as a main course, select one or more of these recipes to make it a meal.

Grilled Greek Chicken on a cutting board with fresh herbs and Tzatziki Sauce.

Storage

Promptly refrigerate leftover chicken in a sealed plastic storage bag or airtight container. Cooked chicken should be used within 3 to 4 days.

Leftovers are delicious cold from the fridge for an easy lunch.

Two pieces of Grilled Greek Chicken topped with Tzatziki on a plate with salad.

Light, flavorful, and so pretty on the plate. Summer eats!

This post was originally published on August 1, 2013. It has been updated with new text and images.

Sliced Greek Chicken with Tzatziki on a plate with colorful Greek salad.

Grilled Greek Chicken

When you’re in the mood for a fresh, Mediterranean-style meal, this Grilled Greek Chicken will definitely hit the spot. Lemony-herbed grilled chicken served with freshly made Tzatziki Sauce is the perfect choice for a warm summer evening.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Greek, Grilling, Mediterranean

Diet: Low Calorie, Low Fat

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Marinating Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 428kcal

Ingredients

For the Greek Chicken

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 pounds assorted skinless chicken pieces I used boneless breasts and thighs

Instructions

Greek Marinade

  • In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Place the chicken pieces in a gallon sized zippered plastic storage bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag. Turn the bag several times to distribute the marinade. Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least an hour or up to 8 hours. The chicken will be more tender and flavorful if it marinates for several hours or more.

Grilling Instructions

  • Preheat an indoor our outdoor grill for MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Place the chicken on the grill and discard the marinade. Grill approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side or until the internal temperature of the thickest portion of chicken reads 165 degrees F. Cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your pieces.

  • Serve the chicken with Tzatziki Sauce.

Notes

For the most flavorful, tender chicken, I recommend marinating for 6 to 8 hours. Nutrition information was calculated for chicken only. Make it a Freezer Meal Prepare the marinade as directed and pour it over the chicken in a freezer-safe plastic storage bag. Press out as much air as possible, seal and label the bag, and lay it flat in your freezer. A freezer bag is the best choice to ensure that the chicken will be immersed in marinade. Thaw the chicken safely in the refrigerator overnight before grilling as directed in the recipe. Raw chicken in marinade can be frozen for up to 3 months. Storage Promptly refrigerate leftover chicken in a sealed plastic storage bag or airtight container. Cooked chicken should be used within 3 to 4 days. Leftovers are delicious cold from the fridge for an easy lunch.

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 653mg | Potassium: 888mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 153IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg