Yogurt Marinated Chicken is the perfect way to grill chicken to create a tender, juicy and flavor packed meal. The creamy yogurt and warm, rich spices mixed together creates a nice marinade for summer grilling and locks in the juices. You can add whatever your favorite spices are into the yogurt marinade for the type of meal you are making!
Have you tried a yogurt marinade? If you haven’t, you are missing out!
I love yogurt marinades for a few simple reasons: they add a tangy flavor to the meat, they lock in the juices and flavors and they help hold in the spices to the protein you are grilling. You can’t beat healthy recipes like these! This is one of my favorite recipes to make in the warmer months.
You might have tried a few of my other yogurt marinades in this Tandoori Chicken and this Mediterranean Chicken. I like to make my own yogurt to use in the marinade with this Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe or this Homemade Yogurt recipe.
I used the chicken tenderloins in today’s recipe but honestly this marinade works great for all cuts of chicken from chicken breasts, to thighs, to wings.
If you’re looking for a no-marinade option, these chicken tenders in the oven are ready in under 30 minutes
Recipe Ingredients
You will love this easy recipe and the simple ingredients it uses for the marinade ingredients. It is one of my favorite recipes!
- Chicken Tenderloins: {or you can use skinless chicken thighs, skinless chicken breasts or wings}
- Greek yogurt or plain yogurt
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon Juice
- Garlic
- Spices: dried thyme, paprika, cumin, oregano, cayenne red pepper
How Do You Make Yogurt Marinated Chicken?
Step 1: Whisk Together Marinade: In a medium bowl whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, paprika, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
Step 2: Marinade Chicken: Add the chicken tenders to a ziplock bag or bowl. Add the yogurt marinade into the ziplock and seal the bag. Use your hands to massage the marinade into the chicken. Or use tongs to mix. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
Step 3: Grill Chicken: Preheat the grill to medium high heat. Place the chicken in a single layer on the grill.
Cook for about 4 minutes on each side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Remove chicken from the grill. Garnish with fresh parsley, lemon wedges and serve with a summer salad.
Recipe FAQ
You can easily use any cut of chicken that you want. This marinade works great for any of them. I especially love chicken thighs or making chicken kebabs and using this marinade.
If you want more citrus flavor add lime zest or lemon zest to the yogurt mixture to add some sweetness. It also helps to tenderize the meat.
Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but preferably two hours in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and tenderize it.
I like to use an unsweetened Greek yogurt. If possible I look for a full fat version to add more savory flavor but it isn’t necessary. Greek yogurt or regular yogurt both work well. Greek yogurt tends to be thicker and tangier, which can result in a richer flavor profile.
More Chicken Recipes
Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt {or plain yogurt}
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 of a lemon,, juiced
- 4 garlic cloves,, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper {optional}
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, paprika, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
- Add the chicken tenders to a ziplock bag. Add the yogurt marinade into the ziplock and seal the bag. Use your hands to massage the marinade into the chicken.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the grill to medium high heat.
- Place the chicken in a single layer on the grill.
- Cook for about 4 minutes on each side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Remove chicken from the grill. Garnish with fresh parsley, lemon wedges and serve with a summer salad.
Notes
- Marinating time: Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but preferably two hours in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and tenderize it.
- Store the grilled chicken in an air tight container for up to 4 days.
“Wow, this looks amazing! 🥗 I love how fresh and vibrant the ingredients are. Can’t wait to make this for dinner—thank you for the inspiration! 🌿💚” Thank You
This was so delicious!!!! Peter loved it too! I made it in the oven because I used bone in chicken thighs …first at 425 then under broiler…spices where great!
So glad you guys liked it! Great idea to use bone-in chicken thighs. I bet it helps the spices nicely!
Hey!
Thats amazing recipe!
Will try it for sure.
Let me know one thing that can we inject the marination in such small pieces of chicken, will it have more impact on taste?
That is a good idea- I haven’t tried that but I bet it would. Let me know how it goes.