Description
This recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated in Greek yogurt and zesty lemon, resulting in a flavorful and moist Mediterranean-inspired dish perfect for quick weeknight dinners or entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) chicken thighs, bone-in skin-on preferred
- 1 cup (240g) full-fat Greek yogurt
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons / 45ml)
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, or others)
Instructions
- Prep the marinade: In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, olive oil, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and aromatic.
- Marinate the chicken: Add chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 4-6 hours or overnight for best results.
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) about 30 minutes before cooking.
- Arrange: Arrange chicken on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet skin-side up, spacing pieces apart. Use a wire rack if available for crispier skin.
- Roast: Roast chicken for 35-40 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip thighs skin-side down for 5 minutes, then flip back skin-side up for the remaining time. Chicken is done when skin is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest: Rest chicken for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs if desired.
- Broil (Optional): Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crispy skin, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, for best tenderness and flavor. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for juiciness and crispy skin. Let chicken rest before serving to retain juices. Broil briefly at the end for extra crispiness if desired. Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure crispy skin.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Greek yogurt chicken, lemon chicken thighs, marinated chicken, easy chicken recipe, zesty lemon chicken, weeknight dinner, Mediterranean chicken