The juiciest, most delicious chicken of your LIFE is just a marinade away. This recipe is truly The Best Ever Greek Chicken Marinade, and is a surefire way to ensure that your chicken turns out perfectly moist and juicy, every single time. Plus, this marinade comes together with only six ingredients, so it’s perfect to whip up any time that you’re craving restaurant-quality chicken.
Friends, if you’ve been to my blog before, then you’ll know that I’m all about the simple and easy recipes. As a busy mom of two rambunctious little boys, I just don’t have time to make all of the intricate and complicated recipes that I used to love. These days, my meals need to be quick, easy, and simple. So, what does that mean?
It means that my meals need to consist of SIMPLE ingredients that I can almost always have on-hand – whether that be spices, produce, or even meat (like chicken breast) that I can easily freeze. There is nothing worse than needing to make dinner, only to open your fridge and realize that you’re missing so many key ingredients. In my house, that just won’t fly, so I always make sure that my recipes are something that can easily be made on a whim.
Second, it also means that I need recipes that won’t take a ton of time to make. Between spending my days developing recipes and filming TikToks (which, if you aren’t following me on TikTok yet, you can find so many quick, easy recipes and kitchen “hacks” over there), to being a present mama for my boys, there is only so much time in the day that I can spend cooking meals. That’s why so many of my recipes come together fairly quickly – because that’s what I need for my life, and I know many of you need that, too!
The Key to Getting the Juiciest Chicken Ever
There are three ways to ensure that you will get the juiciest and most delicious chicken ever. The first, is of course, to make this marinade. Because the ingredients are so simple and easy, I really recommend making the recipe exactly as is, to ensure the perfect blend of flavors. That means no substitutions- this recipe is truly as simple and easy as it gets!
Second, make sure that you are letting your chicken marinate for at LEAST 1-2 hours, but 2-4 if you really want to maximize the flavor profile. This requires a little bit of prep on your end, but I promise, it’s so easy and worth it. Once you bite into that delicious, flavorful chicken, you won’t regret it!
Third, I highly recommend using organic chicken breast for this recipe. Organic chicken breasts are so much more flavorful than conventional chicken breasts, so if you can, I highly recommend opting for organic.
What You Need to Make This Delicious Chicken Marinade
This marinade requires only 6 simple and easy ingredients to make, and truly could not be easier!
- Olive Oil: Olive Oil is a staple of Greek / Mediterranean cooking, and is essential to making this marinade! It is also full of healthy fats, and has a delicious, rich flavor.
- Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice helps to cut through the fat of the olive oil, and bring brightness to this dish!
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds the best flavor, and I highly recommend it whenever possible! Sure, you can use minced garlic or garlic powder, but fresh garlic is truly the best.
- Thyme: Thyme is essential to Greek cooking, and adds the perfect herbaceous flavor to this recipe!
- Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard adds tang to this marinade. Don’t knock it until you try it!
- Sea Salt: A pinch of salt is necessary for any good marinade!
How to Make This Greek Chicken Marinade
Making this marinade could not be simpler! Simply whisk together all of your marinade ingredients in a small bowl, until fully combined. Then, pour it over your chicken, and place the chicken in the fridge for a minimum of 1-2 hours, and a maximum of 24 hours.
Then, prepare your chicken according to your preferred method. Store any leftovers in the fridge, and enjoy!
A Few of My Favorite Chicken Recipes
If you’re looking for a few chicken recipes to serve this marinade, then you’re in luck. Chicken is one of my favorite ingredients to work with – in fact, I love working with it so much, that I created a roundup of my 8 Favorite “Family-Friendly” chicken recipes!
But for a few of my notable favorites, I love my One Pan Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice (which is perfect with this marinade!) or my Sheet Pan Bruschetta Chicken Breasts! And to continue on with the Greek theme, I also love my Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup – aka my take on an avgolemono soup!
I hope you guys love this recipe! If you make it, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think! And if you post to Instagram, I repost your remakes on my IG stories! xx
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup Olive Oil
- 1 Lemon, juiced
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 2 Teaspoons Thyme
- 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the marinade until they're fully combined.
- Then, pour your marinade over the chicken.
- Store your chicken in the fridge for a minimum of 1-2 hours, and a maximum of 24 hours.
- Cook chicken according to your preferred method, and enjoy!
- Store any leftovers in the fridge, for up to one week.
Recipe In Action
Rate & review
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What others are saying
Hi Nicole! This sounds amazing! It’s there a slow cook recipe in which this can be used?
Hi Lilian, yes! While I do not have one, you can follow any slow cooker chicken recipe and use this marinade. ☻
OMG such a simple yet flavorful marinade. By far the best Greek chicken I’ve had since mom cooked for the family.
Woohoo! I am so thrilled to hear that! Thank you so much for your review!
Really very very amazing…nice article bro…
Thank you!
What degree and how long should I cook this chicken. It says cook time 2hrs. I know that too long
Thank you for this recipe 🙏 it has become a family staple! We usually marinate for at least 4 hours (we also tenderize the chicken breasts and give them a good stabbing with a fork). Coming off the grill the chicken is insane – super juicy and so flavorful. *chef’s kiss*
I am so happy you enjoyed it, Michael! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for leaving such a kind review!
Looking forward to trying this marinade.
Curious if you have a favorite cooking method for your chicken? And if you’ve baked them, what’s your approximate bake time and temp you’ve used before for these?
Do you flip chicken during baking or no?
Thanks. Interested in making for company and wanna get them right! 🙂
Hi Kara! I definitely recommend pairing this recipe alongside my method for perfectly cooked chicken – see below. It works like a charm, every time! I hope you enjoy! https://kalejunkie.com/how-to-make-perfectly-juicy-chicken-every-single-time/
Delicious marinade! What is the edamame/rice/lentil dish that this chicken is plated on? It looks fantastic!
With just a handful of pantry staples, I can transform ordinary chicken into a gourmet feast bursting with Greek goodness. I can already imagine the sizzle of the grill and the mouthwatering aroma wafting through the air as this marinated masterpiece cooks to perfection. Thank you for sharing your culinary magic with the world – dinner tonight is going to be nothing short of legendary!
I am so thrilled to hear that! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for leaving such a kind review!
Absolutely delicious, all I would say is less lemon.
You can definitely adjust the lemon to your liking, Rebekkah!
Is this recipe calling for fresh or dried thyme?
Hi Joe, you can use either!
I would love to see a ratio of oil to lemon for this recipe. I was doing a large amount (about 8 lbs of chicken) and the number of lemons called for was giving me a LOT of juice. Lemons vary in size and amount of juice per lemon. I was using 2 cups of oil so stoped after 5 lemons (the recipe called for 8) because I already had 1 cup of juice! 2 to 1 ration seemed high. I added a bit more to even it out some. The marinade tastes great but won’t be grilling until tomorrow
Thank you so much for your feedback, Pam!
This made my greek chicken sheet pan dinner absolutely delicious..Great on chicken alone too for over a salad. Perfect mix of flavors! Nailed it Nicole Mmmmm
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Nancy! Thank you for your review!