Let me show you the best way to marinate and tenderize chicken! Make this easy Yogurt Marinated Chicken with just plain yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and a few simple spices.
Tenderizing chicken with plain yogurt is a well-known technique in the Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines. A great example is this Lebanese Shish Tawook recipe that I make ALL the time! Chicken is covered in tangy yogurt that is seasoned with dried herbs and warm spices, and kept in the fridge for at least 4 hours and preferably overnight, then it’s cooked right on the grill, in a skillet, or baked in the oven.
A similar chicken marinade recipe that you should also try is this Buttermilk Roast Chicken, where I show you how to marinate a whole chicken in a ziptop bag and then bake it in the oven.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Juicy Chicken – This yogurt marinade works like magic! It tenderizes the chicken and keeps it juicy and moist whether you decide to grill the chicken, bake it, or cook it in a skillet over the stovetop.
- Basic Ingredients – We’re using simple and easy-to-find ingredients to marinate the chicken.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this easy yogurt chicken marinade:
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Chicken: I usually go for chicken breasts that I slice lengthwise into thin cutlets, this makes sure that the chicken is cooked through when grilled or cooked in a skillet. If you’re baking the chicken, you can use whole chicken breasts. This recipe is also great for chicken thighs, drumsticks or chicken quarters.
- Yogurt: You can either use plain unflavored yogurt or Greek yogurt. Sour cream and buttermilk also work. I usually have full-fat yogurt in my fridge and that’s what I use, but non-fat yogurt works just fine.
- Garlic and Lemon: Use fresh garlic cloves and fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Spices: Smoked paprika, dried oregano, and black pepper. You can also do ground cinnamon, cumin, or even baharat or shawarma spices for a Middle Eastern twist.
How To Marinate Chicken in Yogurt
- Mix the Marinade: In a large dish, bowl or a ziptop bag combine the chicken with the yogurt, garlic, lemon juices, and spices.
- Marinate in the Fridge: Give everything a good mix so that the chicken is well covered in the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap, and keep the chicken chilled in the fridge for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight.
- Cook: Preheat the grill, skillet, or oven. Remove the chicken from the marinade (you will notice that it will absorb most of the marinade), and cook it until it’s done.
- Check the Temp: Make sure that the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165°F/74°C. If you’re not sure how to check, I have a whole guide on how to use a kitchen thermometer. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with fresh lemon slices and freshly chopped parsley.
Tip!
You don’t need to remove or wash away the marinade from the chicken before cooking it, it holds a ton of flavor and will create a nice texture/crust on your chicken and help it from drying out as it’s being cooked.
Recipe Tips
- I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 4 hours, this is the recommended time for chicken breasts (cutlets or whole), but if you’re marinating chicken tenders then you can do 1-2 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the juicier and tastier it will be.
- If you don’t have yogurt, you can substitute it with buttermilk or sour cream. The flavor profile will be slightly different but the recipe will work the same way.
Storing Tips
Cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze raw chicken covered in marinade, just place it in a ziptop bag removing any excess air and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or place the bag in a bowl of cold water for a few hours.
What To Serve With
This chicken goes so well with salad. Pictured above is this delicious Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, you should also try my Greek Salad, Olive Garden Salad, or serve the chicken with a Creamy Cucumber Salad.
Olive Oil Pasta would also be perfect here, or if you’re using the oven then these Oven Baked Potato Wedges are always a hit at my house! If you love rice, try this easy Lemon Rice, or everyone’s favorite Cilantro Lime Rice.
More Chicken Marinades To Try
All Chicken Recipes ➜
FAQs
I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. It is safe to keep the chicken in the fridge for longer, but after 2 days the marinade will break down the proteins of the chicken and make it mushy.
If you follow my recipe, then most of the marinade will be absorbed by the chicken so you don’t need to wipe it off. If you make more marinade, you might need to shake off any excess not to create a mess while cooking. Whatever you do, just do NOT rinse the chicken.
Try this simple marinade and you will want to marinate chicken with yogurt all the time! Share this recipe with your friends and family, and if you make it, don’t forget to share your experience in the comments section below. I love hearing from you!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds (650g) chicken breasts sliced lengthwise into thin cutlets
- ½ cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic pressed
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- In a large dish, bowl or a ziptop bag combine the chicken with the yogurt, garlic, lemon juices, and spices.
- Give everything a good mix so that the chicken is well covered in the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap, and keep the chicken chilled in the fridge for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight.
- Preheat the grill, skillet, or oven. Remove the chicken from the marinade (you will notice that it will absorb most of the marinade), and cook it until it’s done.
- Make sure that the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165°F/74°C. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with fresh lemon slices and freshly chopped parsley.
Notes:
- I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 4 hours, this is the recommended time for chicken breasts (cutlets or whole), but if you’re marinating chicken tenders then you can do 1-2 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the juicier and tastier it will be.
- If you don’t have yogurt, you can substitute it with buttermilk or sour cream. The flavor profile will be slightly different but the recipe will work the same way.
- Adding fresh herbs to the marinade would also be delicious. If you want to add more spices, you can do ground cumin, cinnamon, or baharat mix.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
LynnV says
I do this with chicken breasts in my Air Fryer. I put the combined ingredients together in a baggie, poke the chicken throughout with a fork and stick it in the baggie and mush it around and let it sit for a couple hours. 375° for 3 min a side for smaller breasts.
The chicken comes out soooo tasty and moist. I use it at least 3-5x a month.
Little Sunny Kitchen says
Thank you for sharing your air fryer tips with everyone, Lynn! I’m glad you enjoy the marinade.
K8 says
Question:
Driven by time constraints I marinaded this chicken in the freezer. I can’t serve it for 5 days.
Do I cook it before the 24 hours, and then…? Rewarm it?
Little Sunny Kitchen says
I think that the freezer will slow down the marinating process. I would thaw the frozen package overnight, then cook it fresh when you plan to serve it.
Eater127 says
The yogurt was brilliant
Diana says
So glad to hear you liked the recipe!
Ana peifer says
Amazingly delicious!!! 4th time and hubby absolutely loves the tenderness..
just wondering can I do the same with pork chops??
Stephanie says
Hello! Can this chicken recipe be air fried? If so, what temp and how long?
Diana says
Yes, I have an Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe that you can follow!