Greek Lemon Chicken
Greek Lemon Chicken is a vibrant and healthy Mediterranean dish featuring tender chicken infused with fresh lemon juice, aromatic garlic, and herbs. This simple yet flavorful recipe is perfect for a comforting home-cooked meal that pairs well with numerous sides and accommodates various dietary preferences.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 30 minutes to 2 hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts for a leaner option)
Marinade
- Juice of 2 fresh lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra lemon zest or thin lemon slices
- Marinate the Chicken: Combine freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss the chicken thighs in this marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours to absorb the flavors deeply.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pan: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). While preheating, arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer in a roasting pan or baking dish, skin side up to allow the skin to crisp beautifully.
- Roast Until Golden and Juicy: Place the chicken in the oven and roast for approximately 35-40 minutes. The skin should become golden brown, and the juices should run clear when pierced. Baste the chicken once or twice with pan juices during cooking for extra juiciness.
- Garnish and Serve: After removing the chicken from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and a bit of extra lemon zest on top for brightness. Serve warm with your favorite sides to enjoy the full Greek Lemon Chicken experience.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1-2 hours, for deeper flavor infusion.
- Allow chicken to come to room temperature before cooking for even roasting.
- Use skin-on chicken to achieve a crisp texture and lock in moisture.
- Baste the chicken with pan juices halfway through cooking to keep it juicy.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after roasting to retain juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Greek Lemon Chicken, Mediterranean chicken, baked chicken, lemon garlic chicken, healthy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner