The Best Oven Baked Greek Chicken Thighs Recipe You’ll Love

Greek chicken thighs refine ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences with their vibrant Mediterranean flavors.

Succulent poultry marinated in classic herbs and spices promises a delightful dining adventure that tantalizes taste buds.

Olive oil, lemon, and robust seasonings infuse each tender morsel with authentic Greek character.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can create restaurant-quality dishes right in their kitchen.

Traditional techniques merge effortlessly with modern cooking methods to produce a meal that feels both comforting and exciting.

Aromatic herbs and zesty marinades elevate these chicken thighs beyond typical weeknight dinners.

The combination of crispy exterior and juicy interior guarantees a memorable eating experience that will impress family and friends.

How to Bake Juicy, Herbed Chicken Thighs

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Greek yogurt
• Olive oil
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk all ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth and well blended.

Step 2: Coat and Marinate the Chicken

• 15 minutes at room temperature
• Or refrigerate up to overnight for extra taste explosion

Step 3: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 425 Degrees Fahrenheit (220 Degrees Celsius). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil for super easy cleanup.

Step 4: Arrange Chicken for Baking

Spread marinated chicken thighs in a single layer on the foil-lined baking sheet. Make sure they’re not overcrowding each other.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

• Chicken reaches 165 Degrees Fahrenheit (74 Degrees Celsius) internal temperature
• Exterior turns golden brown
• Edges become slightly crispy

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Pull chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps lock in those incredible juices. Plate and enjoy your tantalizing Greek-style chicken thighs!

Tips for Crispy Skin and Greek-Style Marinade

• Maximize Marinade Magic: Let chicken soak in yogurt mixture for at least 4-6 hours to enhance deep, tangy flavor and tenderize meat completely.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches exactly 165°F, ensuring perfect doneness without drying out.
• Crispy Edge Technique: Pat chicken thighs dry before marinating to help achieve golden, slightly crisp exterior during baking.
• Strategic Spacing: Arrange chicken pieces with small gaps between them on baking sheet to allow hot air circulation and promote even browning.
• Resting Ritual: Allow chicken to rest 5-7 minutes after baking, which helps redistribute juices and keeps meat incredibly moist and tender.

How to Store and Reheat Baked Greek Chicken Thighs

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat Oven: Warm chicken in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Wrap loosely in foil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Prevent Dryness: Drizzle a small amount of chicken broth or olive oil over the chicken before reheating to help preserve its juicy texture and prevent it from becoming tough.

Side Dishes to Serve with Greek Chicken Thighs

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the zesty lemon and herb flavors of the chicken with a refreshing Assyrtiko from Santorini or a chilled Sauvignon Blanc, enhancing the Mediterranean profile of the dish.
• Serve Alongside Greek Salad: Boost the meal's authenticity by adding a classic Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese, and kalamata olives, creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavors.
• Recommend Tzatziki as Dipping Sauce: Elevate the chicken's taste by serving a cool, tangy tzatziki made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill, providing a creamy contrast to the golden-brown chicken thighs.
• Add Lemon Roasted Potatoes: Complete the Greek-inspired plate with herb-infused lemon roasted potatoes, which echo the citrusy notes in the chicken marinade and offer a satisfying starchy accompaniment.

Greek Chicken Thigh Variations You’ll Love

• Mediterranean Herb-Crusted Variation: Enhance the marinade by adding fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Sprinkle extra dried herbs and breadcrumbs on top before baking to create a crispy herbal crust.
• Spicy Greek Chili Kick: Incorporate red pepper flakes, cayenne powder, and hot paprika into the yogurt marinade. Add diced jalapeños for extra heat and complexity to the chicken's flavor profile.
• Citrus Infusion Option: Replace lemon with blood orange or tangerine zest and juice. Include orange marmalade in the marinade for a sweeter, brighter citrus undertone that caramelizes beautifully during baking.
• Mediterranean Vegetable Companion: Surround chicken thighs with chopped bell peppers, red onions, and cherry tomatoes on the baking sheet. Let vegetables roast alongside chicken, absorbing all the delicious marinades and juices.

Why Oven Baked Greek Chicken Thighs Are Big on Flavor and Ease

• Burst with Mediterranean Flavors: Dive into a tangy, herbaceous explosion of taste from Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, and Italian seasoning that transforms ordinary chicken into a zesty culinary experience.
• Ultra-Simple Cooking Method: Enjoy hassle-free preparation with minimal steps- just mix marinade, coat chicken, and bake, making this recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without complicated techniques.
• Guaranteed Juicy Texture: The yogurt marinade works magic by tenderizing chicken thighs, ensuring each bite stays incredibly moist and succulent while developing a gorgeous golden-brown exterior with crispy edges.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Whip up a restaurant-quality dinner in under an hour, with only 20-25 minutes of baking time and simple prep, making it ideal for families seeking fast, nutritious meals that don't compromise on flavor.

Ingredients for Greek-Inspired Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

• Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless cuts perfect for absorbing marinade flavors, with tender meat that stays juicy during baking.

• Greek Yogurt, Olive Oil: Creamy base that tenderizes chicken and helps create a rich, smooth coating with Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright citrus elements that add tanginess and help break down chicken proteins for increased tenderness.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, robust flavor characteristic of Greek cuisine.

• Italian Seasoning: Herb mixture that adds complex herbal notes and traditional Mediterranean taste.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall flavor and balance the dish's taste profile.

Oven Baked Greek Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Greek-inspired chicken thighs showcase Mediterranean flavors with crispy, herb-infused skin and tender meat. Garlic, oregano, and lemon create a zesty marinade that elevates this simple yet elegant dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Liquid and Dairy:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) plain Greek yogurt (full fat preferred)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) lemon juice

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 4–5 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 2 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning (make sure it has no added salt)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Zest of 1 lemon

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust marinade by blending Greek yogurt, olive oil, zesty lemon elements, minced garlic, aromatic Italian herbs, and a balanced seasoning of salt and pepper until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated.
2. Thoroughly coat chicken thighs in the prepared marinade, ensuring each piece is completely enveloped with the flavor-packed mixture. Allow the meat to absorb the marinade’s essence for a minimum of 15 minutes at ambient temperature, or refrigerate for enhanced depth of flavor.
3. Heat the oven to a robust 425°F, creating an ideal environment for achieving crispy, golden chicken.
4. Create a protective layer on a baking sheet using aluminum foil, which facilitates effortless cleanup and prevents potential sticking.
5. Meticulously arrange marinated chicken thighs in a precise single layer across the prepared baking surface, maintaining equal spacing between pieces to promote even cooking.
6. Roast the chicken within the preheated oven, monitoring its transformation for approximately 20-25 minutes until the meat achieves a perfect golden-brown exterior and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
7. Once removed from the oven, permit the chicken to rest momentarily, allowing juices to redistribute and intensify the overall flavor profile before serving these succulent Greek-inspired delicacies.

Notes

• Infuse incredible Mediterranean flavors by letting chicken marinate with tangy yogurt and zesty herbs for maximum tenderness and depth.
• Elevate your dish by ensuring each thigh gets completely coated in marinade, creating a rich, creamy exterior that seals in moisture during baking.
• Guarantee perfectly cooked chicken by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F, which ensures safe consumption while maintaining juicy, golden-brown results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 469
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 39 g
• Cholesterol: 142 mg