Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start by ensuring your chicken is ready. Trim all visible fat and membranes from the chicken breasts. This helps to keep your dish light and healthy.
- Next, create small crosswise slits about half an inch apart down the length of each chicken breast. This technique allows the marinade to penetrate deeply, infusing the meat with flavors.
- Place the chicken in a single layer into a large Ziploc bag. This will make marinating easy and effective.
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, Greek seasoning, Poultry seasoning, dried Greek oregano, and freshly ground black pepper. This marinade is the heart of your dish and brings a burst of flavor.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken in the bag, ensuring that every piece is well-coated. Seal the bag and give it a gentle shake to mix everything nicely.
- Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for six to eight hours, or even all day if you have the time. The longer it sits, the more flavorful it becomes.
- When you’re ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and allow it to drain for a moment. Bringing it to room temperature ensures even cooking.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, spraying it with non-stick spray or brushing it lightly with oil. This prevents sticking and makes your grilling experience smoother.
- Place the chicken on the grill, top side down, on a diagonal to the grill grates. Grill for about four minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when you see beautiful grill marks.
- Rotate your chicken pieces to the opposite diagonal and continue grilling for another four minutes. Look for the signature criss-cross grill marks that show it’s cooking perfectly.
- Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional four to eight minutes. The chicken should feel firm but not hard to the touch. Using an instant-read meat thermometer, check that it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s safe to eat.
- Even for small gatherings, consider making the whole recipe. Leftover Greek Grilled Chicken can be cut up and enjoyed in salads, wraps, or stir-fried with vegetables for a quick lunch. Enjoy!
Notes
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep it fresh for up to three days. You can freeze the marinated chicken before grilling. Just ensure to use a freezer-safe bag and consume within three months for the best flavor. Serve with a refreshing Greek salad, tzatziki sauce, or warm pita bread. These sides complement the chicken beautifully. Feel free to experiment with different herbs in the marinade. Fresh rosemary or thyme can add a lovely twist. This chicken is fantastic served hot off the grill or chilled as part of a summer picnic spread.