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Juicy Greek Chicken

Juicy Greek Chicken with tender marinated chicken and classic lemon-oregano flavor. Grill over medium-high heat until juicy at 165°F for a Mediterranean main dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken marinade
  • 2.5 lb chicken pieces Use bone-in or boneless pieces; cut thicker parts for even grilling.
  • 0.33 cup olive oil
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice
  • 1 lemons Zest 2 lemons and also use lemon slices for serving if desired.
  • 4 cloves garlic Minced.
  • 2 tbsp fresh oregano Or use dried oregano.
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano Use if skipping fresh; amount listed matches the recipe option.
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 0.5 salt To taste.
  • 0.25 black pepper To taste.

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Make the marinade
  1. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, fresh oregano (or dried oregano), dried thyme, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
  2. Set the marinade aside while you prep the chicken for even coating.
Marinate the chicken
  1. Place chicken pieces in a container or resealable bag and pour marinade over the top.
  2. Marinate for 4-24 hours in the refrigerator so the flavors soak in.
Grill
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Grill chicken on the hot grates until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, turning as needed for even browning.
Rest and serve
  1. Let grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy.

Notes

For best juiciness, use bone-in or thicker pieces and keep the grill lid closed as much as possible to hold heat. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; freeze cooked chicken up to 2 months. For a lighter option, use low-sodium salt and swap half the olive oil for a neutral oil while keeping the lemon-oregano profile.