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Flavorful Greek Chicken with Lemon and Oregano

Greek chicken recipe - featured image

A quick and easy Greek chicken recipe featuring bone-in, skin-on thighs marinated in lemon juice, fresh oregano, garlic, and olive oil, then roasted to crispy perfection. Perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • 2 large lemons, juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves, finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried oregano)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the juice and zest of 2 lemons, 3 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, chopped oregano, salt, and pepper. Add smoked paprika or red pepper flakes if using.
  2. Place 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours. (15 minutes if pressed for time.)
  3. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  4. Transfer the marinated chicken thighs to a baking dish or sheet pan, skin side up. Pour any remaining marinade over the top. Arrange pieces with space between them.
  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, turning the pan halfway through if desired, until skin is golden and crisp and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Broil for 2-3 minutes if skin needs extra crisping, watching carefully.
  6. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating to ensure crispy skin. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for juiciness and flavor. Let chicken rest after roasting to redistribute juices. Add a teaspoon of honey to marinade if lemon flavor is too sharp. Broil briefly if skin isn’t crispy enough.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek chicken, lemon chicken, oregano chicken, roasted chicken, Mediterranean chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, healthy chicken