Yogurt Marinated Chicken

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! 

YOGURT MARINATED CHICKEN 

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. 

Today I am celebrating summer grilling season with Smart Chicken, my favorite brand of chicken that I use for all of my chicken grilling recipes. 

You might remember a few of the other recipes I have created for them like these Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken Thighs and this Sun-dried Tomato Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts. 

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. 

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
• CITRUS JUICE: LEMON OR LIME JUICE 
• CLOVES OF GARLIC
• DRIED THYME
• PAPRIKA
• CUMIN
• OREGANO
• CAYENNE RED PEPPER AND RED PEPPER FLAKES FOR SPICE {OPTIONAL}

How Do You Make Yogurt Marinated Chicken?

In a medium bowl whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice {you can add lemon zest for added flavor}, garlic, thyme, paprika, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.

Add the chicken tenders to a large resealable plastic bag or large bowl.

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 outdoor grill to medium-high heat.

Place 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.

Cooking time varies depending on the thickness of the chicken and the cut you are using. 

Remove chicken from the grill.

Garnish with fresh parsley, lemon wedges and serve with a summer salad and a dipping sauce.

Recipe FAQ

What Should I Pair With Yogurt Marinated Chicken?

• Salads: I love adding salads alongside grilled chicken. Some favorites are this Summer Orzo Pasta Salad, Mediterranean Bean Salad, Lemon Arugula Salad and this Mediterranean Eggplant Salad. 
• Vegetables: Vegetable side dishes are also great for pairing with chicken. We love these Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables, Roasted Broccoli or these Skillet Green Beans.
• Potatoes: Potatoes are another great addition to this grilled chicken. I love these Gouda Smashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes or these Spicy Potatoes. 

Other Chicken Recipes You Might Like:

• GREEK MARINATED CHICKEN KABOBS
• SUN-DRIED TOMATO FARRO CHICKEN BAKE
• RANCH CHICKEN THIGHS
• AIR FRYER MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN THIGHS
• CHICKEN SOUVLAKI 
• CHICKEN KOFTA