(Update 2020) This Greek lemon chicken recipe is gold…I first posted it four years ago, and it has become my go-to for get-togethers at our house. It’s also amazing for meal prep. I just grab a huge tray of chicken breasts at the grocery store and make them all using this recipe.

I’ve updated all of the images on this post from the ones I originally had, because they sucked! Funny enough, I’ve made this Greek lemon chicken recipe so many times, I just went through my Instagram feed to find photos I’ve taken of it as various meals.

The best part for me is that not only is the chicken delicious when it’s freshly cooked, but it’s also amazing as leftovers. I absolutely hate leftover chicken in any other form…it tastes like wet dog. YUCK! But not this Greek chicken recipe. Nope.

This chicken is super easy to make – just cut the chicken breasts, marinate them in a Ziploc for as long as you can – even overnight! – then BBQ. So simple.

Serve this chicken recipe with warmed pitas, hummus, and tzatziki. I also did a huge Israeli salad – cucumber and tomatoes with lemon juice, olive oil, and sumac – which was perfect with the chicken. Later, I wrapped the chicken and accompaniments in whole wheat wraps, which was equally good.

Sometimes, I’ll do Greek potatoes as a side, most often, I’ll do salad (Greek potatoes take too long). My scrumptious potato salad is also a perfect accompaniment (although not quite Greek!).

Greek lemon chicken

Tzatziki is actually really easy to make – I did the one in the photo – so I’ll tell you how to make it at the end of the chicken recipe. I honestly just threw it together without writing down amounts, so try it as an un-recipe. Meaning, I’m giving you the ingredients, mix them and taste and add more of whatever you want. If you’re uncomfortable with un-recipes, this tzatziki is the perfect gateway into the kitchen freedom that is un-recipe freestyling. You can’t really mess it up unless you dump like half a box of salt in it or something, which you won’t do. Well, at least not on purpose, you won’t.

This is THE perfect dish for an outdoor (socially distanced) BBQ this summer.

Greek Lemon Chicken recipe

Greek lemon chicken recipe

One hint: don’t be afraid of flavor. I used to be so conservative with herbs and spices, garlic, salt etc. Now I understand the value of pumping up the flavor by adding a ton of those things, and it really works – especially in this Greek lemon chicken. It’s essential!

Another hint: when grilling meat, remember that the meat will release itself from a hot grill when it’s good and ready, and not a second before. Don’t scrape the chicken pieces off the grill before they release themselves. This way, your pieces will stay intact and they’ll have beautiful grill marks, too. Also, leave the BBQ top up for this one. You don’t want the chicken to cook too fast.

Greek lemon chicken recipe
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Greek BBQ Lemon Chicken

This Greek-style chicken recipe is perfect for summer grilling season!

Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
  • For the chicken:
  • 4 pieces large chicken breasts each cut into 4-5 width-wise
  • Juice of 1 whole lemon
  • 2 cloves large garlic
  • 3/4 cup fresh stripped oregano chopped roughly
  • 3 T fresh stripped thyme
  • 2 T olive oil
  • 1 large pinch sea salt or more to taste
  • For the tzatziki:
  • Full-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh dill chopped
  • English cucumber seeded and chopped finely
  • Crushed or finely minced garlic
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
Instructions
  1. Marinate the chicken:
  2. Throw all of the chicken ingredients into a large Ziploc bag. Marinate in the fridge for as long as you can – up to the whole day.
  3. Make the tzatziki:
  4. Combine all the ingredients to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  5. Cook the chicken:
  6. Preheat your BBQ to medium-high.
  7. Grill the chicken, flipping once, until cooked through.
  8. Serve with warmed pita breads, hummus, tzatziki, and salad.