Ingredients
Chicken
- 1¼-1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 pieces)
Marinade
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme (optional)
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- Zest and juice of one lemon
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 3 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 1 small red shallot, finely chopped or grated (optional)
Lemon Parsley Sauce
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of half lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together dried oregano, dried thyme, red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, and shallot until well combined.
- Marinate chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, turning to coat all sides evenly. Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 3 hours for best flavor.
- Preheat grill: Heat an indoor or outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, about 450°F. Lightly spray the grill grates with nonstick cooking spray if desired to prevent sticking.
- Grill chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, discarding leftover marinade. Place the chicken breasts on the hot grill with the lid closed. Grill for 5-6 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 5-6 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F measured with a digital thermometer.
- Rest chicken: Remove chicken from the grill and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute inside the meat, ensuring a juicy texture.
- Make lemon parsley sauce: Mix the fresh chopped parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl until combined.
- Serve: Drizzle the lemon parsley sauce over the grilled chicken breasts. Serve with crumbled feta cheese, tzatziki sauce, Greek salad, and roasted or boiled potatoes for a complete meal.
Notes
- If marinating chicken for long periods like overnight, omit the lemon juice but keep the zest to avoid a mealy or leathery texture due to acidity.
- For quicker grilling and even cooking, pound chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat tenderizer.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs can substitute for breasts but bone-in pieces have not been tested.
- Cook chicken to an internal temperature between 160-165°F and rest before serving.
- Storage: Refrigerate in airtight containers up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Halal