Yogurt Marinated Chicken Thighs (Printable Version)

Chicken marinated in Greek yogurt, lemon, and spices delivers a well-balanced, juicy bite with every serving.

# What You'll Need:

→ Yogurt Marinade

01 - 160 ml whole milk Greek yogurt
02 - 30 ml olive oil
03 - 30 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
04 - 5 ml finely grated lemon zest
05 - 15 ml minced garlic
06 - 15 ml peeled and minced fresh ginger
07 - 5 ml ground cumin
08 - 5 ml ground coriander
09 - 5 ml paprika
10 - 1.25 ml cayenne pepper
11 - 1.25 ml ground cinnamon
12 - 5 ml fine salt
13 - freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - 60 ml finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish

→ Chicken

15 - 1 kg boneless skinless chicken thighs (approximately 7 pieces) or chicken breasts (approximately 5 pieces)

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and chopped cilantro until smooth.
02 - Place chicken thighs or breasts into a large resealable freezer bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, and remove excess air. Massage marinade evenly over all the pieces to ensure thorough coverage.
03 - Transfer the sealed bag to the refrigerator and let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours. For deeper flavor, allow up to 8 hours for breasts or up to 24 hours for thighs.
04 - Preheat a gas grill to 220°C. Clean the grates thoroughly and brush generously with oil using long tongs and a balled up paper towel to prevent sticking.
05 - Arrange marinated chicken on the grill. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 74°C in the thickest part. If desired, brush lightly with olive oil halfway through grilling to maintain a moist exterior.
06 - Remove cooked chicken from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Marinating the chicken longer intensifies flavors and ensures a more tender result.
02 - If grilling is not available, the chicken can be cooked under a broiler set to high, adjusting cooking times as needed.

Go Back