Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ Tbsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- Zest of 1 medium lemon
- Juice of ½ lemon (about 1-2 Tbsp)
- ¼ bunch fresh parsley, roughly chopped (about a big handful)
Chicken
- 3½ to 4 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on for best results)
Instructions
- Make the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine the plain yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir these ingredients together until well blended.
- Add lemon zest and juice: Using a fine-holed cheese grater or zester, scrape the thin, yellow zest from the lemon skin directly into the marinade bowl. Next, squeeze the juice from half the lemon (approximately 1-2 tablespoons) into the mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly.
- Chop and add parsley: Roughly chop a big handful (about ¼ bunch) of fresh parsley and stir it into the marinade, distributing the fresh herb flavors throughout.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken pieces and the prepared marinade into a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Remove as much air as possible, seal the bag tightly, and massage the contents gently to ensure each piece is well-coated. Refrigerate the bag for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
- Preheat the oven: After the marinating time, preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃) to prepare for baking.
- Bake the chicken: Transfer the marinated chicken pieces into a large casserole dish (9×13 inches) arranged evenly and uncovered. Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165℉ (74℃), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked.
Notes
- For best flavor, use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces such as thighs, drumsticks, or a mix.
- You can marinate the chicken longer, up to 2 hours, for deeper flavor absorption.
- If you don’t have fresh parsley, dried can be used, but fresh gives a brighter taste.
- Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer to avoid undercooking or overcooking.
- Serve with a side of roasted vegetables, rice, or Greek salad for a complete meal.
- Leftover Greek chicken keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Halal