Description
Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken is a juicy, tender, and flavorful dish that combines the tanginess of yogurt with aromatic spices. The marinade tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with a rich, deep taste, making it perfect for casual dinners or special occasions. This easy-to-prepare recipe is healthy, versatile, and consistently delivers a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a beautiful char from grilling.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4–6 skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Marinade
- 1 cup plain yogurt (preferably Greek yogurt)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika for smoky flavor)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine plain yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to create a smooth marinade that will coat the chicken evenly.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place your chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring they are fully covered. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate and tenderize the meat.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high, giving the grates a light brush with oil to prevent sticking and to prepare for perfect searing.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Place the pieces on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is nicely charred outside.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the chicken to rest a few minutes off the heat to keep juicy, then serve hot for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Use Greek yogurt for a thicker, richer marinade that clings better to the chicken.
- Allow enough marinating time for ultimate tenderness—overnight is best.
- Keep the grill hot to develop a beautiful sear without drying the meat.
- Oil the grill grates before cooking to prevent sticking and promote perfect grill marks.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh or breast
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg