I absolutely love these Easy Greek chicken bites. They are completely delicious and full of flavor. They hit the mark with tender chicken coated in flavorful greek spices and perfect cooked in a hot skillet! The best part though is that this Greek Chicken recipe is tasty enough for adults to love, but also familiar enough for kids and picky eaters to enjoy. You could even trick your kids into thinking these are just chicken nuggets. You can eat them as a main dish on their own or put them in your favorite Greek foods like pita, gyros, or salads. At the end of this post, you can see all of my recipe ideas for this Greek Style Chicken.
This bites are perfect for a busy night. You will most likely have everything on hand for them. They are perfect to make a wholesome meal that everyone is going to love.
The key to this Greek Chicken is the Greek Seasoning. I absolutely LOVE this homemade Greek seasoning, which is gluten free and dairy free. I make a big batch of this a few times a year and always have it on hand. If you prefer to buy it premade, I also really like the Cavender’s Greek Seasoning that you can get at most grocery stores.
I love quick and easy meals that taste delicious as well. It’s hard being a busy working mom and running a household at the same time. I also love this meal because it is a great option if your are meal prepping for the week. You’ll never want plain chicken again.
Greek chicken is more than just chicken prepared in Greece – it’s a distinctly flavored dish typically marinated in a magical combination of lemon, olive oil, garlic, and oregano. This simple yet impactful marinade creates a bright, tangy, and aromatic flavor profile that is instantly recognizable as authentically Greek.
In this article, we’ll explore the origins, ingredients, regional variations, and cooking methods that make Greek chicken a cornerstone of Greek cuisine and a much-beloved recipe around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned Greek food lover or new to the flavors of the Mediterranean, read on to discover the essence of true Greek chicken.
The Cornerstones of Greek Chicken
While recipes for Greek chicken vary slightly from region to region and family to family, a few key ingredients form the base of the classic marinade:
Lemon
The chicken gets softer and tastes better when you add lemon juice to it. The acidity helps the chicken soak up the other ingredients in the marinade better.
Olive Oil
Olive oil provides a richness to balance the acidity of the lemon and keeps the chicken moist during cooking, Greek chicken is always prepared with extra virgin olive oil,
Garlic
Garlic adds a savory, strong flavor and depth. Before adding them to the marinade, raw garlic cloves are chopped or minced.
Oregano
Oregano is the most important herb in Greek cooking, and no Greek marinade is complete without it. Dried Greek oregano gives an earthy, slightly bitter aromatic quality.
These four ingredients work perfectly together: the lemon adds bright, sour citrus flavors, the olive oil adds richness, the garlic adds a sour kick, and the oregano adds a woodsy aroma. Once mixed, the marinade goes all the way through the chicken, giving each bite a taste of Greece.
Regional Variations Across Greece
While the core lemon-oregano-garlic-oil combo remains constant, Greek chicken recipes do vary subtly from region to region across Greece. Here are some of the regional nuances you may encounter:
-
Islands: With their proximity to the sea, island recipes often incorporate sea salt or capers in the marinade.
-
Northern Greece: Red pepper flakes are frequently added for a touch of heat and paprika for a deep, earthy flavor.
-
Peloponnese: Bay leaves and cloves enhance the aromatics of chicken from this southern region.
-
Crete: Spice blends containing cumin and coriander lend exotic nuance to Cretan chicken.
-
Athens: Urban Athenian chicken tends to stick close to the classic marinade of lemon, oregano, garlic, and olive oil.
Part of the beauty of Greek chicken is experimenting with these regional variations to find your perfect balance of flavors. While the core ingredients remain steadfast, the proportions and supplemental herbs used give each family’s recipe its uniqueness.
Cooking Methods for Juicy, Flavorful Chicken
An authentic Greek chicken can be prepared using several cooking methods, each imparting its own touches to the final texture and flavor:
Grilling
Grilling is a popular cooking method in Greece that gives the chicken a lovely charred exterior and smoky flavor while keeping the inside moist. Bone-in chicken legs and thighs are well-suited to grilling.
Roasting
Roasting allows the chicken to cook evenly all the way through while developing a crispy, crackling skin on the outside. Whole chickens or bone-in pieces work well roasted.
Pan-frying
For quick-cooking boneless chicken, pan-frying in a skillet creates a flavorful crust while retaining juiciness. Good for weeknight meal prep.
Braising
For intensely flavored chicken, braising or stewing chicken pieces in the marinade concentrates the flavors as it cooks and tenderizes.
No matter which cooking method you choose, keeping the chicken marinated in the fridge 1-2 hours beforehand allows the flavors to fully permeate.
Serving Suggestions for Completing the Greek Experience
Greek chicken is extremely versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides and flavors. Here are some suggestions for rounding out your Greek chicken meal:
Classic Greek Sides
For an authentically Greek experience, try lemon-roasted potatoes, Greek salad topped with crumbled feta, pita bread, or tzatziki yogurt dip.
Fresh Veggies
Roasted, grilled or steamed veggies like zucchini, peppers, green beans, or carrots make healthy accompaniments.
Grains
Cooked grains like rice, farro, or barley work nicely, soaking up the delicious pan juices. Orzo pasta or couscous are Mediterranean-inspired options.
Greens
A fresh, lemon-dressed green salad or sauteed greens like spinach or kale offset the richness of the chicken.
With so many possibilities, it’s easy to create a flavorful and satisfying Greek-style meal centered around juicy, oregano-scented Greek chicken straight from the Mediterranean. From classic to contemporary, you can’t go wrong pairing this iconic chicken with fresh vegetables, greens, grains and a squeeze of lemon.
Common Questions About Making Greek Chicken
What’s the best cut of chicken to use? Bone-in, skin-on thighs or drumsticks have the most flavor and moisture. Breasts work too but require more care to prevent drying out.
How long should I marinate it? At least 2 hours, but overnight is ideal for maximum flavor infusion.
Can I use dried oregano instead of fresh? Yes, use half the amount specified if using dried oregano.
What else can I add to the marinade? Spices like cumin or paprika, herbs like rosemary or thyme, whole garlic cloves, anchovy paste, citrus zest, etc.
Should I remove the chicken skin when cooking? For the best flavor and texture, leave it on during cooking, then remove after if you prefer not to eat the skin.
Can I cook Greek chicken on the grill? Absolutely – just watch it closely and adjust heat/cook times as needed.
How do I keep the chicken from drying out? Don’t overcook, monitor temperature, and tent with foil at the end. Marinating also helps keep it moist.
A Taste of the Mediterranean
From its origins in the sunny Greek isles to kitchen tables around the world, Greek chicken remains beloved for its simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create incredible flavor. The magic is in the classic Mediterranean marinade that infuses each bite with the spirit of Greece. Healthy, delicious, and versatile, this Greek chicken is a culinary journey in a single dish. Opaaa!
Low Carb serving ideas
- Greek Salad—The Greek Chicken can be served on top of the salad as an entree or as a side dish. You can try my loaded greek salad here. You will love it if you like bell peppers, red onions, kalamata olives, and maybe some lemon zest.
- Cauliflower Rice- Prepare it in a skillet
- When you mix feta cheese and diced tomatoes with spaghetti squash, you get a great side dish for this.
- My favorite easy side dish for any meal is sautéed spinach. It goes great with this Greek chicken.
- Zoodles- Spiralized zucchini noodles sautéed
Recipe Step by Step
This Greek Chicken Recipe, like my garlic butter chicken bites, only has three basic steps. That means it’s super easy to make and can be on the table quickly for dinner! I’ll highlight a few key steps here, but make sure you scroll down to the recipe card for full instructions on how to make Easy Greek chicken bites.
Cut the chicken breast into 1-2″ chunks. Place them in an airtight container and add the greek seasoning, lemon juice, and 1 tbsp of olive oil. Mix to evenly coat chicken and let rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken spreading in a single layer. For three to five minutes, or until the side that touches the pan gets a nice brown sear, don’t stir it.
Flip the chicken over and cook an additional 2-4 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Our Greek chicken marinade ingredients include oil, lemon, and greek seasonings. This is a simple greek marinade that results in tons of flavor. The second option you can choose would be plain greek yogurt, greek seasoning and lemon. The last option for marinating chicken would be with your favorite greek dressing.
I like this recipe because the chicken doesn’t need to be marinated for a long time for the flavors to really come out. I forget 99% of the time to marinate my chicken before hand. Life gets in the way and then you find yourself staring at the fridge figuring out what to make for dinner. This only needs to marinate for 15 minutes, throw it in a skillet and your good to go. This recipe is quick, easy and full of flavor.