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The Best Greek Chicken Marinade

Greek marinade for Mediterranean chicken with bright lemon, oregano, garlic, and olive oil. This easy marinade seasons chicken deeply, then cooks up juicy with a grilled 165°F finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marinating 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Greek chicken marinade
  • 2 lb chicken Any cut.
  • 0.3333333333 cup olive oil
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice
  • 1 lemon zest Zest of 1 lemon.
  • 4 garlic Minced (about 4 cloves).
  • 2 tbsp fresh oregano Or use dried oregano (see next).
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano Use if skipping fresh oregano.
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 salt To taste.
  • 1 black pepper To taste.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Make the marinade
  1. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, thyme, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until evenly combined and fragrant.
  2. Transfer the chicken to a large zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it, ensuring the chicken is well coated.
  3. Refrigerate the bag for 4-24 hours, turning once halfway through if convenient to keep coverage even.
Grill the chicken
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and set up for direct grilling.
  2. Grill the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, adjusting timing based on the cut thickness for even doneness.
  3. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes so juices redistribute before slicing and serving.
  4. Serve with lemon wedges alongside the grilled chicken for extra brightness at the table.

Notes

Pro tip: If using fresh oregano, mince it finely so its flavor disperses throughout the oil-lemon marinade. Refrigerate marinating chicken covered for 4-24 hours; cooked chicken keeps in the fridge up to 3-4 days. Freeze raw marinated chicken for up to 2-3 months, then thaw in the refrigerator overnight before grilling. For a dairy-free swap, keep it as written (it’s already dairy-free); for a gluten-free option, confirm Dijon mustard is certified gluten-free if needed.