Greek Lemon Chicken

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This Greek Lemon Chicken recipe uses ingredients that are normally found in Greek Lemon Chicken such as extra virgin olive oil, lemons, and spices. Ready in less than a half hour, it’s the perfect busy weeknight dinner and is great on salads, in pitas, or paired with rice or Greek salad. My family can’t get enough of this delicious chicken marinated in a garlicky lemony olive oil sauce, especially when served with a Greek salad in a warm pita. Even my four-year-old loves this dish! My family loves rice so I normally serve the chicken over a hot bed of rice. Oh, and my husband cannot stop talking about how good this chicken tasted!

Ingredients in Greek Lemon Chicken

Chicken breasts. Boneless and skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs are needed for this recipe.

Extra virgin olive oil. Use high quality extra virgin olive oil for the best taste.

Garlic. Freshly minced garlic is fragrant and adds a lot of flavor to this dish.

Spices. A mixture of salt, freshly cracked black pepper, dried oregano, crushed red pepper, and thyme combine to make a zesty and flavorful marinade.

Lemons. Fresh lemon juice and zest give this marinade a citrusy, fresh flavor that is apparent in most Mediterranean dishes.

Parsley. Fresh parsley spruces the dish up and gives it some color.

How to Make the Best Greek Lemon Chicken

STEP 1: Preheat your oven. Mix the chicken breasts, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, crushed red pepper, thyme, lemon juice, and zest in a large bowl.

STEP 2: Add the 2 tablespoons olive oil to a cast iron skillet, turning the heat to medium-low. Place the chicken breasts in the prepared cast iron skillet, pouring the extra marinade on top, cooking for a total of 20-25 minutes, turning several times but leaving the chicken alone for the first 6-7 minutes. Top with fresh parsley.

Health Benefits of Lemons

Lemons are high in vitamin C, fiber, and plant compounds that are responsible for numerous health benefits. According to Healthline’s article, lemons may support heart health, weight control, and digestive health.

Greek recipes often contain fresh lemon juice and zest and according to Diane Kochila’s post, lemons are one of the defining flavors of Greek cuisine. Lemons combined with olive oil, oregano, and garlic—all of which is in my Greek Lemon Chicken recipe—are traditional Greek ingredients used in most Greek recipes. Lemons on their own are a delicious seasoning and when added to grilled meats, chicken kababs, green salads, and more, they offer a tasty flavor that is absolutely irresistible.

More chicken breast recipes you’ll love!

The Best Kung Pao Chicken

Chicken Alfredo Casserole

KFC Copycat Baked Potatoes

Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Bang Bang Chicken

Southern Style Oven “Fried” Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Corn

Chicken Fajita Casserole

More Mediterranean recipes to enjoy!

Greek Potato Salad

Watermelon Feta Salad

Final Thoughts

Finally, if you make this Greek Lemon Chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.

If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!

Greek Lemon Chicken

Elise McCollister

This Mediterranean recipe contains ingredients normally found in Greek Lemon Chicken such as extra virgin olive oil, lemons, and spices. Ready in less than a half hour, it’s the perfect busy weeknight dinner and is great on salads, in pitas, or paired with rice or Greek salad.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Dishes

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 6

Calories 267 kcal

Equipment

• Large bowl
• cast iron skillet

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x4x

• 1.5 lbs. chicken breasts boneless, skinless
• 1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
• 5 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper freshly cracked
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 lemons one cut into wedges and one to be juiced and used as zest
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp freshy parsley chopped

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375° F.
• Mix the chicken breasts, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, crushed red pepper, thyme, lemon juice, and zest in a large bowl.
• Add the 2 tablespoons olive oil to a cast iron skillet, turning the heat to medium-low. Place the chicken breasts in the prepared cast iron skillet, pouring the extra marinade on top, cooking for a total of 20-25 minutes, turning several times but leaving the chicken alone for the first 6-7 minutes.
• Make sure your chicken is done before removing it from the heat. To check if your chicken is done, insert a skewer in the thickest part of the chicken breast, and the juices should run clear. Squeeze the lemon wedges over the cooked meat. Top with fresh parsley.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 267kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 25gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 524mgPotassium: 499mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 215IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @elisemccollister or tag #elisemccollister!