Healthy Yogurt Marinated Chicken Recipe with Lemon

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This healthy yogurt-marinated chicken recipe is the best way to marinate chicken. It is our favorite way to add so much flavor to a juicy chicken dish. This Greek yogurt marinade is delicious, easy to make, and made with simple ingredients. 

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How to Make Yogurt Marinated Chicken

This Greek yogurt chicken marinade recipe is a great option if you are looking for a low-calorie, gluten-free dish that does not compromise flavor. Let’s gather the chicken and marinade ingredients. This is what you will need to make this healthy yogurt marinated chicken recipe: 

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp. lime zest
• 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/4 chili pepper
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. coriander
• 1 tsp. dried fennel
• 1 tsp. sea salt or kosher salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• Lime, lemon, and mint for garnish

This healthy greek chicken recipe can be cooked either in a grill pan, like this one here: Grill pan, or outside on a grill. 

Preparing the Chicken

First, if you have one large chicken breast split the raw chicken into three pieces. 

Next, carefully remove the skin from the chili, remove the seeds, and chop into small pieces. 

Use a simple zester to zest the lime. 

In a large bowl, combine the plain yogurt, with the rest of the ingredients. Stir to combine. 

Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and mix to make sure the pieces are completely coated in the mixture. 

Cover the bowl with a lid or aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours to marinate and fully absorb the flavor. 

Cooking Tender Chicken

Heat a grill pan on medium-high heat and drizzle the grill grates with olive oil. Place the marinated chicken on the grill grate of the indoor grill pan and cook the breast for 5 minutes until brown. Flip the pieces over and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.

Cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Check the temperature by using an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken. The cooking time may vary depending on the cooking method that you are using.

Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Make sure to throw away any excess marinade. Since it is used with raw chicken it should be discarded. 

Grilled Chicken Marinated in Tangy Yogurt 

Garnish with lemon, lime, and fresh mint, and serve on your favorite serving platter. This pairs perfectly with a fresh Greek salad or grilled vegetables. To stay low carb, this chicken goes great with this Low Carb Brussel Sprouts with Bacon recipe. It is also great for meal prep if you double the recipe. 

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. 

FAQs and Recipe Variations

• Can I use lemon zest instead of lime? Yes, we like the combination of lemon and lime, but you can use just one if necessary. 
• Can I cook these on an outdoor grill? Absolutely! Follow the same steps and grill chicken on the gas grill, or charcoal grill next time.
• If I don’t have a grill how else can I make this recipe?  You can try making this tasty chicken in an air fryer or in the oven. To bake in the oven, place chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake until the internal temp reaches 165 F. 
• Can I use chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts? Of course. You can also cut the chicken into pieces, put them on metal skewers, and make delicious chicken kebabs! 
• Is there a dairy-free option for this marinade? If you are avoiding dairy you can try using plain almond milk yogurt or creamy yogurt made with coconut milk. 

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