Description
A zesty and flavorful Greek Lemon Chicken recipe featuring tender marinated chicken thighs or breasts infused with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and aromatic herbs. Perfectly balanced with Mediterranean spices and easy to prepare by baking or skillet cooking for a healthy, gluten-free main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Garnish (optional)
- Lemon slices
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, paprika, and onion powder to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts to the marinade and toss well to ensure every piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 to 4 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
- Preheat and Cook: Preheat your oven to 400°F if baking, or heat a skillet over medium-high heat if cooking on the stovetop. For baking, arrange the marinated chicken in a baking dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For skillet cooking, heat a drizzle of olive oil in the pan and sear the chicken for 6 to 7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes to retain its juices and enhance tenderness.
- Serve and Garnish: Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices if desired. Serve alongside rice, roasted potatoes, or a crisp Greek salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Perfect for meal prep or as a filling for wraps.
- Complement the dish with kalamata olives or feta cheese for an authentic Greek flavor.
- This recipe is also great grilled; just reduce the cooking time slightly to prevent overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 30 minutes to 4 hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking or Skillet
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken portion (approximately 6 ounces)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
