CommunityApproved

Greek Lemon Chicken

Name: Greek Lemon Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8, 8 pieces
Ingredients: 8 bone-in chicken thighs; ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil; ¼ cup lemon juice; 4 garlic gloves (minced); 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 2 teaspoons dried thyme; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

This Greek lemon chicken is the best dinner with juicy, tender, and crisp chicken thighs baked coated in a delicious lemon-herb marinade.

Dish: Lemon Chicken

Variant: Greek Lemon Chicken

Source: GREEK LEMON CHICKEN

Total time: 55 min
Active time: 15 min
Yield: 8, 8 pieces
Difficulty: Medium
Equipment: 2 required

Approved Reviewed1 Sources5 Controls0 Tests0 Safety

Greek lemon chicken in a baking dishPhoto: Gayle McLeod · GREEK LEMON CHICKENDev reference

Ingredients and Constraints

Ingredients

Ingredient watchpoints1 watchpoint

Short requirements and tradeoffs to check while gathering ingredients; detailed source notes stay expandable.

Form or preparationRecommendedConstrained

Garlic

4 garlic cloves (minced)

The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.

Details and source

Source: GREEK LEMON CHICKEN

Additional ingredient notes

LEMON CHICKEN INGREDIENTS

You’ll be glad to hear that this recipe is extremely pantry-friendly, including the chicken marinade!

Here’s what you need. Chicken: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs lend the juiciest meat and crispiest outer skin. If you’re using frozen chicken thighs, let them thaw in the fridge overnight before making this recipe. Liquids: A combination of extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and Dijon mustard make up the base of the marinade. And if you want to amp up the lemon flavor, add a bit of lemon zest to the mix or save some lemon slices to add on top before cooking. Seasonings: Dried oregano, dried thyme, fresh garlic, salt, and black pepper are the ultimate Mediterranean flavor combo. And for this recipe, do stick with dried herbs instead of fresh ones. Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

Required setup

Equipment

baking dish
This nesting set of casserole dishes is the best!

Before You Cook

Constraints, controls, and warnings to review before starting.

Decisions before cookingDetails1

Reviewed comparisons and tradeoffs that affect the path before the first active step.

Can I use boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs?

Yes, you can use this same marinade to cook with both types of chicken.

For chicken breasts, follow my best-baked chicken breast recipe. For chicken thighs, you can reduce the time by half.

Source video

GREEK LEMON CHICKEN is a must-make, super easy dinner recipe!This lemon chicken recipe is all about juicy, tender, and golden-baked chicken thighs coated with the best lemon-herb Greek marinade. It's quick to prep, easy to cook, and the results are fantastic! · GREEK LEMON CHICKENDev reference

Method Timeline

Prep

Active

Prep

15 min

Prep time from the source recipe card.

Cook

Active

Cook

40 min

Cook time from the source recipe card.

Total

Passive

Total

55 min

Total time from the source recipe card.

1
Step 1
Make the marinade: In a small bowl, stir together the oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, mustard, salt, and pepper.
Image detailsMix marinadeDownshiftology · GREEK LEMON CHICKENDev reference
Inputs and tools8
Uses
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried oregano
4 garlic cloves (minced)
¼ cup lemon juice
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2
Step 2
Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to a large bowl and pour the marinade on top. Marinate for 1 to 2 hours (and up to 8 hours) in the fridge.
Image detailsMarinate chickenDownshiftology · GREEK LEMON CHICKENDev reference
Checks1
TimingInfoTiming
1 to 2 hours; no more than 3 hours
Target: 60-120 minute
Expected state: Acidic marinades shouldn’t be used for more than 3 hours. After this point, the chicken thighs will become far too tenderized and have a gamey-like texture. For me, the ideal time is about 1 to 2 hours.
Ideal: 1 to 2 hours. Upper boundary from source FAQ: no more than 3 hours.
Troubleshooting1
TimingInfoTiming
1 to 2 hours; no more than 3 hours
Target: 60-120 minute
Expected state: Acidic marinades shouldn’t be used for more than 3 hours. After this point, the chicken thighs will become far too tenderized and have a gamey-like texture. For me, the ideal time is about 1 to 2 hours.
Ideal: 1 to 2 hours. Upper boundary from source FAQ: no more than 3 hours.
If missed: After this point, the chicken thighs will become far too tenderized and have a gamey-like texture.
Inputs and tools1
Uses
8 bone-in chicken thighs
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
Source: GREEK LEMON CHICKEN
3
Step 3
Transfer to baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the chicken in a baking dish and pour the remaining marinade on top.
Baking Dish
Image detailsPat dryDownshiftology · GREEK LEMON CHICKENDev reference
Checks1
TemperatureInfoTemperature
350°F
Target: 350 degree-fahrenheit
Expected state: Transfer to baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Inputs and tools1
Equipment
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
Source: GREEK LEMON CHICKEN
4
Step 4
Bake the chicken: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and registers 175°F (80°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Optionally, you can baste the chicken a few times while it cooks. And for extra crispy skin, turn on the top oven broiler in the last 2 to 3 minutes. If you're serving this dish up for a dinner party, you can garnish it with lemon slices if you'd like.
Image detailsBakeDownshiftology · GREEK LEMON CHICKENDev reference
Visual cue
until the chicken is fully cooked and registers 175°F (80°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
Checks4
TemperatureInfoTemperature
175°F
Target: 175 degree-fahrenheit
Expected state: Bake the chicken: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and registers 175°F (80°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
Visual cueInfoVisual
until the chicken is fully cooked and registers 175°F (80°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
Expected state: until the chicken is fully cooked and registers 175°F (80°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
TimingInfoTiming
for 40 to 45 minutes
Target: 40-45 minute
Expected state: Bake the chicken: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and registers 175°F (80°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
ServiceMain recipe
Source service instruction
Bake the chicken: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and registers 175°F (80°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Optionally, you can baste the chicken a few times while it cooks. And for extra crispy skin, turn on the top oven broiler in the last 2 to 3 minutes. If you're serving this dish up for a dinner party, you can garnish it with lemon slices if you'd like.
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
Source: GREEK LEMON CHICKEN

Handling and Storage

Reviewed hold, storage, make-ahead, and service-timing guidance.

Make-ahead marinade

If you’d like to save extra time, make the marinade a day in advance and store it in the fridge.

Then give it a whisk before using it the next day.

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER CHICKEN THIGHS

To store for the week: Enjoy portions throughout the week by storing them in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

To freeze for later: Store leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Then thaw them in the fridge the day before you plan to reheat them. Trust me, finding a batch of this chicken in your freezer is a gold mine! Reheating chicken: Good news, chicken thighs are less likely to dry out when reheating. But you can always add a little moisture back in by adding a splash of water on top or layering a damp paper towel over the chicken piece before microwaving it.

What to serve with Greek Lemon Chicken?

Complete this Greek-inspired meal with a fresh Greek salad that is made with my famous Greek salad dressing.

For a heartier meal, plate it with other side dishes like rice or cooked vegetables. My favorites to pair with this are garlic herb roasted potatoes, green beans with shallots, or garlic-sauteed spinach.

Learn More

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Recipe structure

Components and intermediate outputs created by the method.

Main recipe

Recipe card ingredients and steps.

8, 8 pieces

Garnish

Source step 4 creates or uses garnish.

Marinade

Source step 1 creates or uses marinade.

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Source and Origin

Origin declaration

Adapted from source

Imported from the downshiftology page for dev review.

Copy risk: Unchecked

GREEK LEMON CHICKEN
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Ingredients and Constraints

Ingredients

Garlic

LEMON CHICKEN INGREDIENTS

Required setup

Before You Cook

Can I use boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs?

Source video

Method Timeline

Prep

Cook

Total

Step 1

Step 2

1 to 2 hours; no more than 3 hours

1 to 2 hours; no more than 3 hours

Step 3

350°F

Step 4

175°F

until the chicken is fully cooked and registers 175°F (80°C) on an instant-read thermometer.

for 40 to 45 minutes

Source service instruction

Handling and Storage

Make-ahead marinade

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER CHICKEN THIGHS

What to serve with Greek Lemon Chicken?

Recipe structure

Main recipe

Garnish

Marinade

Recipe Utilities

Origin declaration

Export history