Enjoy this Mediterranean chicken on a Greek salad, or pair it with saffron rice or quinoa tabbouleh salad for a hearty dinner. Chicken is a wonderful lean protein that takes on any flavor you use to season it. And my go-to Greek marinade made with pantry staples flavors the chicken in a quick 15-minute marination time.
I usually meal prep a double batch on Sundays and use it for multiple meals throughout the week. This Mediterranean chicken is great on pizza, sandwiches, and wraps, too! And here’s the bonus- this marinade can also be used for flavoring vegetables, lamb, beef, fish, and shrimp. Keep this one part of your cooking repertoire. 🙂 Let’s get started!
Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
The ingredient list for this Greek chicken recipe requires nothing more than chicken and a handful of spices. The Mediterranean spices give it that special pizzazz. Chicken: I prefer the richer chicken thighs for this recipe since they stay moist and juicy for meal prep, but lean chicken breasts work just as well. Simply slice each breast in half (in thickness), and follow the same cooking time. Olive Oil: To ensure all the spices stick and adds a bit of richness. Salt + Pepper: To enhance all the flavors and add a little spice. Paprika: Use sweet or hot paprika, whichever spice level you prefer. Smoked paprika would give it another layer of smoky flavor, but reduce it to half. Red Chili Flakes: For a nice kick of heat. Feel free to skip for a mild flavor. Ground Cumin: Cumin powder adds an earthy-smoky flavor to the chicken. Ground Cinnamon: Warming and slightly sweet to balance the spice. Garlic Powder: For savory goodness. If using fresh garlic, you will need about 4 cloves. Dried Oregano: Herbal, citrusy, and quintessentially Greek. Lemon Juice: For acidity and pop of citrus. Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Greek Chicken
This Greek chicken recipe can be prepared in one of three ways - oven-baked, Air Fryer, or on the stove. Here’s how to do each one:
Step 1. Marinate Chicken
Trim off the extra fat from the chicken thighs and cut each thigh into half width-wise. In a bowl or large ziplock bag, combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, spices, and lemon juice. Add chicken and toss to coat with the marinade. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
Step 2. Cook Chicken
Method 1: In the Oven Place the chicken thighs on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Turn on the oven on BROIL mode. Broil chicken for 8 minutes on the first side. Chicken should be golden brown by now. Flip the chicken and broil for 6 minutes on the other side, or until the chicken cooks through. Method 2: Air Fryer Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Place chicken in the fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken cooks through. Method 3: Stovetop Heat a grill pan or skillet on medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side. After that, flip and cook another 5-6. How to tell if the chicken is cooked? The sure-shot way to tell if the chicken is cooked is by using a meat thermometer. It is done if it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when inserted into the thickest part.
Serving Suggestions
Greek chicken recipes are so versatile, that you can serve the chicken in a number of ways. Some of my favorites include:
Salad: Serve it on top of Greek salad, kale chickpea salad, or toss it with healthy pasta salad.Pizza: Top off bread pizza or flatbread pizza for an extra protein boost.Sandwiches/Wraps: Stuff it inside bread, pita, or tortillas with crisp, crunchy vegetables.Dinner: Serve it as the main meal alongside saffron rice, quinoa tabbouleh salad, spinach rice, and/or tzatziki.
How to Store
Meal Prep: Cool the chicken completely, then slice and keep in meal prep containers. Leftover Greek chicken will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze: Store in a freezer-safe ziptop bag or airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Recipe Tips & Notes
Chicken Thighs: Trim off the excess fat to allow for an even crisp exterior.Chicken Breast: If using chicken breast, slice it in half in thickness and follow the same cooking time.Marinate: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes in the refrigerator. It comes out extra moist and juicy. You can marinate it for up to 2 hours if you have the time.Check temperature: Since cooking times vary, make sure to cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing so that the juices can redistribute.
More Greek-inspired Recipes
These are part of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Recipes collection:
📖 Recipe
This recipe has been updated with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips.
title: “Greek Chicken” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-07” author: “Mary Combs”
Greek Chicken + Potatoes in One Pan… Want a taste of Greece? Make this and you’re there!
One tray meals have always been a favourite of mine. Throwing a pan full of food in the oven, and letting the oven take care of dinner, is my kind of cooking, like this One Pan Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon + Asparagus. Or this Oven Fried Chicken with Broccoli. When I make this Greek chicken and potatoes however, I almost always have a pot of soup on the stove to eat with it. Come to think of it, the Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup would be incredible with this and I can’t believe I just thought of it NOW. After enduring a Harry Potter marathon 3 times this week (as in, all 8 movies, 3 times each. Yes. Really. In one week), and watching those kids sit at those huge tables full of food, the one that caught my eye was the big fat pieces of chicken. I had no idea what was watching form that moment onwards. Chicken. Chicken. Chicken. So naturally, chicken for dinner. Every night. For one week. You know what the best part is? Filling your fork with chicken, then an olive, then a piece of feta, then a piece of red onion, then a potato. Not necessarily in that order, but you know what I mean.
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