We’re big chicken lovers around here and this recipe is one we’ve been making forever! It was due for a formal recipe here on the blog. Greek yogurt, lemon juice, fresh garlic, and herbs coat tender chicken thighs for some of the best, restaurant quality grilled chicken you’ll have.

Yogurt Chicken Marinade Ingredients

My mom used to make this when I was little. I remember the flavor specifically! It was very rarely nice enough to BBQ in our little Seattle suburb but when we did, it was special. The fresh tasting, restaurant quality aroma of garlic and lemon in the yogurt on the grill is what summer bbq dreams are made of.

Ingredients:

Greek Yogurt: I use nonfat. You can use whichever your preference is. Keep in mind if you grill this chicken using a higher fat content yogurt, that fat is flammable.
Lemon Juice: This gives a nice tang and also helps tenderize the chicken.
Lemon Zest: For added fresh flavor.
Fresh Chopped Garlic: If you don’t have fresh, granulated will work in a pinch.
Fresh Herbs: I used a mixture of fresh chopped chives, and parsley. You can use whatever you have on hand. Dill would be especially great.

Why use Yogurt for Chicken Marinade?

Acid based marinades like vinegar, wine, lemon juice, etc. can only marinate meat for so long as the acid breaks down the protein. A yogurt based marinade gives that tangy flavor, but keeps the chicken in tact and allows the meat to develop flavor for a longer period of time. You can marinate in yogurt for up to 24 hours before cooking, which I love for an easy dinner!

Any Cut of Chicken Can be Marinated in Yogurt

I love boneless skinless thighs because they’re always so tender, but you can use any cut you like. Wings, drumsticks, breasts, even tenderloins all work with a yogurt marinade. Whisk the marinade in a large bowl, and add the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap for at least 1 hour, and up to 24 hours before grilling.

How to Grill Chicken Thighs

The key to perfectly grilled boneless chicken thighs is a hot grill! Preheat your grill to about about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the chicken thighs on the grill for about 6 minutes on each side. Remember to leave the lid closed throughout the cooking process to allow the grill to retain as much heat as possible.
Flip the chicken, and continue to cook for another 6 minutes.
Chicken Thighs are fully cooked once they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but they actually reach a much more tender texture once they’re to about the 180 degree fahrenheit mark. You can read all about perfectly tender grilled chicken thighs here!

Air Fried Yogurt Chicken

Air frying this chicken is also another option, and works great in the winter months when BBQ-ing isn’t a grill.

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Once it is fully heated, use nonstick spray to coat the basket. Then, place chicken directly onto basket. Allow to cook for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, use a meat thermometer to check the temperature- it should be close to 150 degrees by this point (not fully cooked, but almost there!). Flip it over.
Put the chicken back in the air fryer for an additional 5 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches at least 165 degrees fahrenheit internally.

I served this atop Mediterranean Couscous Salad and it made for the perfect, Summer dinner!

Cheers to easy delicious recipes! – Kathi and Rachel

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