As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, my grill becomes my best friend. There’s something undeniably satisfying about cooking outdoors, and when it comes to summer meals, grilled chicken always takes center stage in our home. Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that is a perennial favorite: **Greek Marinated Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce**. This dish is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of fresh, vibrant flavors that transport you straight to the Mediterranean coast.

What makes this Greek Chicken recipe stand out? It all begins with a simple yet incredibly potent **Mediterranean marinade**. This flavorful blend infuses the chicken with aromatic herbs, zesty lemon, and warm spices, ensuring every bite is moist, tender, and bursting with taste. Grilling the chicken locks in those juices and creates a beautiful char that adds another layer of complexity. But the magic doesn’t stop there. This succulent chicken is then generously topped with a homemade, tangy **Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce**, commonly known as Tzatziki, which provides a refreshing contrast and elevates the entire dish.

You’ll quickly fall in love with this **protein-packed summer meal**. It’s not only incredibly delicious but also a healthy option for your family. The combination of lean protein from the chicken and the wholesome ingredients in the marinade and sauce makes it a fantastic choice for a balanced diet. Pair it with a vibrant summer salad, and you have a complete, satisfying, and utterly delightful meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend BBQ.

Why You’ll Love This Greek Marinated Chicken Recipe

This recipe isn’t just another grilled chicken dish; it’s an experience. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:

• **Explosion of Flavor:** The Mediterranean marinade, featuring extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, thyme, and oregano, creates a symphony of flavors. The warm spices beautifully complement the bright citrus, resulting in incredibly aromatic and delicious chicken.
• **Juicy and Tender Chicken Every Time:** Marinating the chicken not only imparts flavor but also helps tenderize the meat. Grilling quickly seals in the moisture, ensuring your chicken is perfectly juicy, especially when using chicken thighs.
• **Healthy and Wholesome:** Packed with lean protein and fresh ingredients, this meal fits wonderfully into a healthy lifestyle. It’s naturally gluten-free and can easily be adapted for various dietary needs.
• **Perfect for Summer Grilling:** Whether you’re hosting a backyard party or enjoying a quiet evening, grilling offers an easy and quick way to cook, keeping your kitchen cool. The flavors are simply made for warm weather.
• **Versatile Marinade:** While incredible with chicken, this versatile marinade can also be used for other proteins like seafood, steak, pork, or even hearty vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant.
• **Refreshing Tzatziki Sauce:** The homemade Tzatziki is a game-changer. Its cool, creamy, and tangy profile with fresh cucumber, dill, and mint perfectly balances the savory grilled chicken. It’s truly the star that brings the whole dish together.

If you’re a fan of flavorful grilled chicken, you might also enjoy exploring these other Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipes: Chicken Souvlaki, Chicken Kofta, Greek Marinated Chicken Kabobs with Lemon, Lebanese Chicken Kabobs or this Lemon Marinated Chicken. For those busy weeknights, these baked chicken tenders are a fantastic quick option.

How to Make Delicious Greek Marinated Chicken Thighs

Creating this flavorful Greek chicken and its accompanying Tzatziki sauce is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time:

Preparation: Begin by carefully trimming any excess fat or loose skin from the chicken thighs. This helps prevent flare-ups on the grill and ensures a cleaner cook. Place the prepared chicken into a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow, non-reactive container.

Step 1: Whisk Together the Mediterranean Marinade. In a small mixing bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic cloves, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, cumin, a pinch of cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Whisk all these ingredients together until thoroughly combined, creating a vibrant and aromatic marinade.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken for Flavor and Tenderness. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken in the bag or container. Ensure each piece of chicken is fully coated by massaging the marinade into the meat. Seal the bag or container and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or ideally for two hours. For optimal flavor and tenderness, marinating for two hours is recommended, but avoid marinating for longer than 4 hours due to the acidity of the lemon juice, which can begin to break down the chicken’s texture.

Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Tzatziki Sauce. While the chicken marinates, prepare the refreshing Tzatziki sauce. In another bowl, combine the finely grated cucumber (make sure to squeeze out any excess water), thick whole milk Greek yogurt, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, grated garlic clove, sea salt, chopped fresh dill, and optional chopped fresh mint. Stir all ingredients well until smooth and creamy. Cover and refrigerate the Tzatziki until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 4: Preheat the Grill and Cook the Chicken. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Before placing the chicken, brush the grill grates with a little oil to prevent sticking. Carefully remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding any leftover marinade. Place the marinated chicken thighs directly on the hot grill.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection. Cook the chicken for approximately 5-7 minutes per side, or until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh to ensure it’s fully cooked. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving; this allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy! Serve the hot, grilled Greek Marinated Chicken with a generous dollop of the homemade Tzatziki sauce and a fresh summer salad for a complete and utterly delicious meal.

For the juiciest and most flavorful result, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are an excellent choice. The skin becomes wonderfully crispy on the grill, and the bone helps retain moisture. However, boneless, skinless chicken thighs will cook faster and are often easier to eat. The marinade works beautifully with both!

I highly recommend removing any excessively large chunks of fat or loose skin from chicken thighs. This helps to prevent excessive flare-ups on the grill, which can char the chicken too quickly without cooking it through. A small amount of fat is fine and contributes to flavor and moisture.

Achieving juicy chicken is all about a few key steps: 1) Start with chicken thighs, which are naturally more forgiving due to their fat content. 2) Marinating your chicken infuses it with flavor and helps seal in juices during grilling. 3) Cook the chicken to the correct internal temperature (165°F/74°C) without overcooking. 4) Most importantly, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the internal juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender, moist bite every time.

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well with this marinade. Since breasts are leaner, they cook faster and can dry out more easily. Keep a close eye on them during grilling and cook until they reach 165°F (74°C). You might also consider butterflying thicker breasts to ensure even cooking.

Yes, Tzatziki sauce is actually best when made a few hours or even a day in advance. This allows the flavors of the cucumber, garlic, dill, and mint to fully meld with the yogurt. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Certainly! You can easily cook this chicken in a hot skillet, on a grill pan, or even bake it in the oven. For skillet or grill pan, cook over medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes per side. For baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). A quick broiler finish can add some nice char.