Some recipes just feel like home, and this Greek chicken is one of them. It’s simple, bright, and full of Mediterranean flavor, made with lemon, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and herbs. Whether I use chicken breast or marinated Greek chicken thighs, it always turns out juicy and well-seasoned. It’s the kind of Greek-style chicken that brings back memories of relaxed outdoor meals. Nothing fancy, just good, easy food. Recipe includes a how-to video!
What I love most about this Greek chicken is how quickly it all comes together in one pan.
I slice the chicken into cutlets so it cooks fast and soaks up more of that lemony marinade; it’s just garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Greek seasoning, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Sometimes I use chicken breasts, other times I go with Greek marinated chicken thighs, especially if I’ve planned ahead and let them sit overnight.
Either way, the result is always the same: juicy, flavorful, and perfect for stuffing into a pita or piling over a salad.
I like adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of kick, and a little chopped parsley at the end keeps things fresh.
I’ve tried it on the grill too, and if the weather’s right, that smoky flavor is hard to beat.
But most days, a skillet on the stove does the job, quick, golden sear outside and tender inside.
It's one of those chicken Greek-style recipes I always come back to when I want something fast but full of flavor. No fuss, no fancy tricks, just good food.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Greek Chicken
- Simple Ingredients, Big Taste: You probably already have everything you need: lemons, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and herbs.
- Easy to Prepare Ahead: Marinate it in the morning, and dinner practically makes itself by evening.
- Quick and Flavorful: Slicing the chicken into cutlets helps it cook fast while absorbing tons of flavor from the marinade.
- Perfect for Any Meal: Serve it with rice, in a wrap, or next to a big salad; it works for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
- Great for Grilling or Pan-Cooking: No matter how you cook it, the chicken stays juicy and flavorful.
🧾Greek Chicken Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Greek Chicken recipe:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: I slice these into cutlets because they cook faster and soak up the marinade so much better.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Just enough to season the chicken before marinating, it builds a good flavor base.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I use it both in the marinade and for searing the chicken. It adds richness and brings out the flavor of the herbs and garlic.
- Lemons: Fresh lemon juice is the heart of the marinade. It adds that bright, zesty flavor that defines Greek cooking.
- Garlic Cloves: I mince them finely so the flavor spreads evenly throughout the marinade; it’s sharp and savory in the best way.
- Greek Seasoning: A blend of oregano, thyme, and other herbs. I always keep a jar in my spice drawer, it’s my shortcut to that classic Mediterranean flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): I add these when I want a subtle kick. Just a small pinch is enough to wake everything up.
- Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds color and a fresh finish that balances the richness of the chicken.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Greek Chicken
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Slice and Marinate: Cut the chicken into cutlets. Place in a dish with lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, Greek seasoning, red pepper flakes (optional), and parsley. Toss to coat.
2. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for more flavor.
3. Cook: Heat extra virgin olive oil in a skillet. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
4. Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
📖Variations
- Use Chicken Thighs: Swap the breasts for boneless, skinless thighs if you prefer darker, juicier meat.
- Add Greek Yogurt: Stir a spoonful of Greek yogurt into the marinade for extra tenderness and a subtle creamy texture.
- Turn Up the Heat: Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne if you like a spicier version.
- Grill It: This recipe is perfect for the grill; just cook the cutlets over medium heat for a smoky finish.
🍽 What to Serve with Greek Chicken
I usually serve this chicken with lemon rice or herby orzo, which soak up all the flavorful juices.
A quick tomato salad or cucumber with feta adds something fresh, and fried potatoes or potato wedges bring a crispy bite.
I always add a bowl of tzatziki and warm pita to make the meal feel complete.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Pound for Even Thickness: If your cutlets are uneven, gently pound them to an even thickness before marinating. It helps them cook more evenly and stay juicy.
Zest Before Juicing: If you want even more lemon flavor, zest the lemons before juicing and add the zest to the marinade; it gives a lovely citrusy boost.
Let the Garlic Sit: After mincing the garlic, let it sit for a minute before mixing it in. This helps enhance its flavor and mellow any sharpness.
Use Tongs to Flip: When cooking the cutlets, use tongs instead of a fork to turn the chicken. It keeps more of the juices inside.
Make Extra for Meal Prep: This chicken is fantastic cold or reheated, so I often make extra to use in wraps, rice bowls, or salads during the week.
🐓More Chicken Recipes to Try!
If you enjoy cooking with chicken, you’ll love these delicious recipes for inspiration:
- Chipotle Chicken Thighs
- Cucumber Chicken Salad
- Italian Dressing Chicken
- Chicken au Poivre
- Buffalo Chicken Wrap
- Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Avocado Chicken Salad
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
🍛More Favorite Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Greek Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 kg Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 2 Lemons
- 40 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 5 Garlic Cloves
- 1 tablespoon Greek Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes - Optional
- 15 g Parsley
Instructions
- Slice the chicken breasts into even cutlets to help them cook more quickly and evenly.
- Pat the cutlets dry and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Place the chicken cutlets in a shallow dish.
- Add the juice of the lemons, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, Greek seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and chopped parsley over the chicken.
- Turn the chicken to coat well, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best flavor.
- Remove the chicken from the fridge 20 minutes before cooking.
- Heat 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken cutlets for 4–5 minutes on each side, or until golden and fully cooked through.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
So flavorful and juicy! The lemon, garlic, and herbs make this Greek chicken a new favorite.