Grilled Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (5 pound) whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 pinch salt
Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon harissa
Directions
Step 1: Gather all the ingredients.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, garlic, lemon juice and zest, olive oil, paprika, herbes de Provence, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3: Pour the mixture into a large resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken pieces and stir to coat evenly. Squeeze out any excess air, seal the bag, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
Step 4: Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate.
Step 5: For the sauce, stir together yogurt, lemon juice, and harissa in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.
Step 6: Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels. Discard the marinade. Pat the chicken dry with additional paper towels and season with a pinch of salt.
Step 7: Grill the chicken, skin-side down, on the preheated grill for 2 minutes. Then turn each piece over and move it to indirect heat.
Step 8: Continue grilling, turning the chicken frequently with the lid down, until the chicken is well browned and the meat is no longer pink in the center (about 30 to 35 minutes). Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the temperature reaches 165F (74C) in the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone.
Step 9: Serve the grilled chicken with the yogurt sauce on the side.
Chef's Note
If harissa sauce is unavailable at your store, you can make your own with a simple recipe.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 523
- Fat: 30g (38% Daily Value)
- Saturated Fat: 8g (41% Daily Value)
- Cholesterol: 169mg (56% Daily Value)
- Sodium: 590mg (26% Daily Value)
- Total Carbohydrates: 6g (2% Daily Value)
- Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% Daily Value)
- Protein: 55g (110% Daily Value)
- Vitamin C: 12mg (13% Daily Value)
- Calcium: 117mg (9% Daily Value)
- Iron: 3mg (17% Daily Value)
- Potassium: 507mg (11% Daily Value)
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Comments
Jennifer Nelson
08/29/2024 11:20:03 AM
I followed this recipe almost exactly as written, which is rare for me. I made a few modifications: I used a 7 oz. container of low-fat Greek yogurt, 3 lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, and added a tablespoon of granulated onion. I marinated the chicken all day in a large Tupperware container, flipping it every other hour. I didn't remove the marinade before grilling, simply sprayed the BBQ with some Pam for Grilling. The result was absolutely delicious! I skipped making the dipping sauce as it wasn't necessary. I served the chicken with a cucumber and heirloom tomato salad and green beans. It was a healthy and flavorful meal. Following Chef John on AR has never disappointed me. I will definitely be making this dish again! It's a great twist on cooking chicken. Bravo!
Angela Ramirez
01/03/2024 05:00:05 AM
Here is the rewritten review: The dish was enjoyable, and the sauce complemented it well. I improvised as I didn't have harissa on hand, following another person's suggestion to create a substitute using 1/2 tsp sriracha, 1 clove of minced garlic, 1/4 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, and 1/4 tsp salt. I mixed these ingredients with yogurt and lemon juice, omitting extra salt. While the recipe turned out decently, it didn't leave a strong desire for a repeat. I baked it at 350 degrees for around 35 minutes, but grilling might yield a better result.
Jacob White
10/15/2023 10:51:15 AM
Great experience! I prepared this dish using chicken breast that I flattened to ensure even cooking. I cooked it indoors on the grill side of my Viking Range Portable Griddle/Grill. Despite only marinating for around 30 minutes, the chicken turned out moist and flavorful. I can only imagine how much better it would have been with the recommended minimum 3-hour marination. I served it with quartered mini golden potatoes seasoned with herbs and baked with olive oil, alongside okra patties sautéed in an iron skillet. I also whipped up a sauce to go with it. While the sauce was tasty and I would make it again, the chicken stood out on its own with great flavor and moisture.
Jack Thompson
05/12/2025 03:04:18 PM
Great experience! I used chicken breast that I flattened to make thinner. I cooked it indoors on the grill side of the Viking Range Portable Griddle/Grill. Despite only marinating for about 30 minutes, the chicken remained moist with a delicious flavor. I can only imagine how much better it would have been with a minimum 3-hour marinade. I served it with quartered mini golden potatoes baked with olive oil and herbs, alongside okra patties sautéed in an iron skillet. I also prepared the sauce. While I would make the sauce again, the chicken was already flavorful and moist enough on its own.
George Turner
09/21/2024 07:55:23 PM
Great recipe, loved it!!! :)
Jonathan Scott
01/28/2025 08:45:08 PM
Fantastic! I followed the recipe to the letter and the marinade resulted in incredibly juicy chicken with a fantastic flavor profile. The yogurt sauce served on the side was a wonderful complement. My husband expertly grilled the chicken and was thrilled to repurpose the leftovers into a tasty chicken salad for his lunch. This grilled chicken recipe is now a staple in our household. Thank you, Chef John!