Grilled Citrus Yogurt Marinated Chicken Recipe

Grilled Citrus Yogurt Marinated Chicken Recipe marinates quickly and tastes divine. With garlic, oranges and limes, this yogurt marinated chicken recipe is an easy way to please everyone.

 

When I’m in a pinch I rely on basic recipes to see me through. 

This citrus yogurt marinated chicken recipe is a standard in our home. 

It’s as simple as placing boneless chicken breasts or thighs. into a big ziplock bag with a bit of yogurt and garlic and citrus juice. 

Add a few spices and you have chicken that tastes not just great, but tender and juicy, too. 

I know you will love it.

 And after being going so long, I better supply you with something worth waiting for. 

Feel free to vary the spices,  but I love a touch of ras el hanout and a bit of smoked paprika. 

Don’t have ras el hanout? No worries. You will still love this chicken,

What I love about this yogurt marinated chicken recipe is that in just an hour you can create a chicken dish that tastes like it’s been marinating overnight.  

With yogurt and citrus juice, the chicken absorbs flavors fast and becomes tender quickly, which is precisely why I like this recipe. 

Between the citrus flavors and the tanginess of yogurt, this flavorful chicken is a winner.

How to Serve This Citrus Yogurt Marinated Chicken Recipe

The day I made this chicken I found myself with a friend exploring new markets. 

We discovered some great Denver Middle Eastern bakeries, which is where I bought this beautiful  Iraqi pita. 

If you are in Denver don’t miss Shahrazad Bakery where they bake fresh bread and amazing baklava daily.

 It seemed made just for this chicken. 

However lacking pita, citrus chicken would be great on a bed of rice or couscous.

 It would also be perfect on a bun or on a salad. 

The skies the limit, because this grilled citrus yogurt chicken will work with most anything.

Why a yogurt marinade?

This citrus chicken is a combination of several recipes. 

You might detect a taste of shawarma and possibly some tandoori chicken. 

Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt which helps tenderize the chicken and give it flavor. 

Though chicken marinated with plain yogurt can sit overnight, it is the citrus that will keep you from doing that. 

Citrus marinated chicken can become tough if left too long.

When it comes to elevating the humble chicken few techniques rival the magic of marination. 

Enter the realm of Greek yogurt-marinated chicken, an learn an easy recipe that will undoubtedly become your go-to for a tangy and tender chicken feast.

Unlocking the Magic: 

Ingredients for this Yogurt Marinated Chicken Recipe

• Plain Greek yogurt
• Olive oil
• Orange Juice
• Orange Zest
• Lime Juice
• Zest of one lemon
• 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• Smoked Paprika
• Ras el Hanout
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (such as oregano, thyme, or rosemary)
• Chicken

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine plain Greek yogurt, and all other marinade ingredients. Mix well to create a creamy yogurt mixture that will infuse the chicken with a ton of flavor.

2. Marinate the Chicken: Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into a zip-top bag or a shallow baking dish. Pour the Greek yogurt marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Massage the marinade into the chicken, making sure it reaches every nook and cranny. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and let the magic happen in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours, for the most tender results. If you leave out the citrus, then the chicken could marinate overnight.

3. Choose Your Chicken: This versatile marinade works wonders with various cuts of chicken—whether you opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a leaner option, succulent boneless chicken thighs, or even bone-in chicken thighs for an extra layer of flavor, the choice is yours.

4. Cooking Methods:

• Outdoor Grill:Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. If using a gas grill, set up for indirect heat. For a charcoal grill, place charcoal on one side and leave the other side without charcoal for indirect heat. Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.Grill the marinated chicken pieces over direct heat for a nice sear, then move them to the indirect heat side to cook through without burning the exterior. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy). The Greek yogurt marinade will create a beautiful char and impart a smoky flavor reminiscent of a Middle Eastern tandoori chicken.
• Grill Pan: If you don't have an outdoor grill, a grill pan on your stovetop works just as well. Preheat the grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly oil it. Grill the marinated chicken pieces, turning occasionally until they reach the desired internal temperature.
• Oven Baking: For a hands-off approach, preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the marinated chicken in a baking dish, ensuring it's in a single layer. Bake until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, typically around 20-25 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken.

5. Garnish and Serve: Once the Greek yogurt-marinated chicken is cooked to perfection, garnish with additional fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra kick. 

Serve alongside your favorite sides—perhaps a refreshing Greek salad, rice, or tzatziki sauce for a complete and satisfying meal. 

I prepare a little extra yogurt marinade and set it aside to drizzle on the grilled chicken.

Why Choose Greek Yogurt for Marination?

The secret to the success of this recipe lies in the lactic acid present in the Greek yogurt. 

This acid not only imparts a tangy flavor to the chicken but also works as a natural tenderizer, resulting in the most succulent and flavorful meat. 

The creaminess of Greek yogurt ensures the marinade adheres well to the chicken, creating a flavorful and slightly charred exterior.

Greek Yogurt vs. Regular Yogurt:

While regular yogurt can be used as an alternative, Greek yogurt is preferred for its thicker texture, higher protein content, and lower moisture content. 

These characteristics contribute to a more substantial and flavorful coating for the chicken.

Exploring Variations:

Feel free to experiment with different flavors by adding ingredients like lemon juice and lemon zest, a tough of flavored vinegar instead of citrus, or even a hint of sweetness with a touch of honey or maple syrup. 

​Don't want to use fresh garlic? Garlic powder works, too.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability to suit your taste preferences.

Tips for the Best Results:

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh garlic, herbs, and citrus juice for the most vibrant and authentic flavors.
• Let the Chicken Reach Room Temperature: Before cooking, allow the marinated chicken to come to room temperature. This ensures even cooking and a juicy outcome.
• Invest in an Instant-Read Thermometer: To guarantee perfectly cooked chicken every time, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The thickest part of the chicken should reach 165°F for safe consumption.

Greek yogurt marinated chicken is a very easy meal to prepare when you don't have a lot of time.

The tangy yogurt, combined with zesty citrus and aromatic herbs, elevates this dish to the next level, making it a standout in little time.

Whether you're grilling chicken kebabs for a summer barbecue, preparing a Greek-inspired feast for friends and family, or simply seeking an easy recipe to become your next go-to, this Greek yogurt-marinated chicken promises to deliver on flavor and tenderness. 

So, gather your ingredients, fire up the grill, and soon this may become your go-to chicken recipe. 

 

 

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Below is the original post from 2019.

Now  to the rest of the story. It's been a tough year, but not as tough as my father.

He fought his stroke battle valiantly and provided us with many tender moments all summer long.

People have asked me if I thought he knew what was going on. I have to answer yes.

I don't think he was cognizant of everything, but he gave it 100%.

One afternoon with a crowd of visitors  in his room, my dad looked up and in a very clear voice  asked my mother , his wife of 62 years, if we had enough wine glasses for everyone.

Another time a doctor came in and asked him where he was. Dad looked around and with a question in his voice said, "Prison?"

Then the doc asked who's our president and after thinking about it he stuttered, "Well, I didn't vote for him." You always knew where you stood with dad.

Ultimately he passed away on July 23rd, very early in the morning.

The skies thundered, the clouds poured, and we said our goodbyes.

It was hard, but I know my dad wanted to live life on his terms and the terms he was left with were not what he would have wanted.

My dad was a gentleman who recognized the meaning of life and mortality.

I was in Phoenix the majority of the summer helping deal with the myriad of things one needs to deal with.

It was exhausting and stressful, and needless to say I had no time to think about doing anything else.

We had a beautiful funeral for him that was attended by some 150 people.

Jewish funerals are usually held within 24 hours and in that time childhood friends flew in from Kankakee and we found a bagpiper to  play Amazing Grace; which he always told us he wanted.

I spoke, my brother spoke, and so did Alex and Zoe. They were outstanding. He would have been so proud.

My dad was a kind gentle soul that everyone adored.

He was friends with everyone and the people that stopped by to pay their respects gave us a remarkable gift.

It is truly amazing to see your parent through someone else's eyes.

The one theme my dad left us with is this: There is never a right way to do the wrong thing;  something we all need to practice.

As Zoe would say he also taught us to always know your waiter's name, and when you ask someone how they are, mean it!

My dad loved good food and it didn't matter whether it was mac and cheese or freshly shaved black truffles.

He loved good wine too, but mostly he loved people to share it with.

I hope I can continue doing that with you. Thank you my readers.

You've sent me notes and comments and asked me what's going on and it meant a lot to me.

So let's get this party rolling again. L'chaim! To life!

To see what I wrote about dad,  you can see it here.

The end of summer is here. Check out a few more summer ideas:

Vietnamese Grilled Chicken

The Libby Cocktail

Shrimp Burgers (Asian Style)

Labor Day Favorites

I'm partnering with Amazon to help keep this site running. I may earn a small commission at no cost to you, which I use to help pay for costs of keeping this blog going.

Being Mortal

My brothers and I read this book during Dad's hospital stay. If you are going through tough decisions it may help.

Where to buy Ras El Hanout:

Ras El Hanout

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