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A handheld smartphone photo of sliced grilled chicken breast on a white plate with lemon wedges and visible herb marinade. (Mediterranean Chicken Marinade)

Mediterranean Chicken Marinade for Juicy Grilled Poultry

Achieve restaurant-quality results with this Mediterranean Chicken Marinade. This recipe creates juicy, tender chicken with dark char marks, infused with garlic, oregano, and lemon for a vibrant, herb-crusted finish every time.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Marinade
  • 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 900g, uniform thickness
  • 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 120ml
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice 60ml
  • 4 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 tbsp Dried Oregano 3g
  • 1 tsp Cracked Black Pepper 2g
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt 6g
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley 10g, chopped
  • 2 wedges Lemon For serving

Equipment

  • 1 Grill or Grill Pan Cast iron preferred for better char marks.
  • 1 Meat Thermometer To ensure internal temp reaches 165°F.

Method
 

Prepare the Marinade
  1. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and cracked black pepper until emulsified.
  2. Coat the chicken breasts in the marinade and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Grill the Chicken
  1. Preheat grill to medium-high. Place chicken on the heat and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving to develop dark char marks.
  2. Flip the chicken and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Rest and Serve
  1. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
  2. Slice the chicken into strips, arrange on a white plate, and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

Notes

Don't over-marinate: More than 4 hours can make the texture mealy due to the acid.
Resting is essential: It keeps the interior glistening and moist.