Yogurt Marinated Chicken (Easy & Flavorful) - Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

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

1. 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.
2. 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

1. Mix the Marinade: In a large dish, bowl or a ziptop bag combine the chicken with the yogurt, garlic, lemon juices, and spices.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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.

FAQs

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!