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This Greek lemon chicken recipe takes minimal prep and makes chicken thighs juicy and delicious. The simple lemon Greek seasoning creates big flavor!
Why you'll love this recipe
This lemon Greek chicken recipe is a simple baked chicken entree for casual cooks who love zesty flavors. Olive oil, oregano, garlic, and charred lemon are the simplest way to season chicken with Mediterranean flavor. It turns chicken into an exciting family meal or an impressive date-night dinner.
The chicken pieces are seasoned and baked on lemon beds that add zesty flavor and keep the chicken elevated, which make for crispier skin. When served, seasoned charred lemons are also squeezed over the chicken for a zesty flavor explosion.
This Greek chicken recipe is so versatile, it's perfect for date night, dinner parties, or family dinner.
Ingredient notes
- chicken thighs - I'm using bone-in skin-on thighs, which always cook up nice and juicy. Of course, any chicken pieces can be used.
- extra virgin olive oil - This helps the seasoning stick to the chicken, but you only need a very small amount.
- dried oregano - Or Greek seasoning.
- granulated garlic - Or freshly minced garlic can be used.
- sea salt and black pepper - Helps flavor the chicken.
- lemons - Fresh lemons are what make this Greek lemon chicken so amazing, so I don't recommend using packaged lemon juice.
- optional garnish - Fresh parsley is my final touch of a pop of color and flavor.
How to make Greek lemon chicken
Enjoy these step-by-step photo instructions. You'll find the full printable recipe below.
Step 1. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and rest at room temperature for 20 minutes to remove the chill. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat chicken thighs with oil, lemon zest, and seasonings. Arrange lemon slices in 6 beds on baking sheet.
Step 2. Place the seasoned thighs on lemon beds. Bake thighs for 35 minutes, or until their internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer. Rest thighs for 5 minutes, or until they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3. Turn oven to broiler setting. Season and broil the lemons until they have charred to your liking. Transfer thighs and lemons to a serving plate. Serve and devour!
Recipe tips
- If using frozen chicken, always thaw chicken completely before baking to prevent under-cooking.
- There's no need to rinse uncooked chicken because bacteria will naturally be destroyed when the chicken reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Don't cover the chicken while baking. Doing so will prevent the skin from becoming crispy.
Recipe variations
- Chicken legs can be used in place of thighs using the same cooking time. Boneless breasts or thighs require about half the cooking time.
- The seasoning for this recipe is customizable, so feel free to add other herbs, such as basil or thyme.
Serving ideas
Serve Greek lemon chicken with other Mediterranean recipes, such as healthy Greek chickpea salad, super easy baked lemon asparagus, quick stove top sauteed asparagus, oven baked feta pasta, or fresh tomato cucumber salad.
Recommended chicken recipes
📖 Recipe
Greek Lemon Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken Thighs bone-in or boneless
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil or more as needed
- 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Granulated Garlic
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2-3 large Lemons zested and cut into ¼-inch slices
optional garnish
- Fresh Parsley chopped
Equipment
- 13 x 9 baking sheet or baking dish
Instructions
- (recommended) Rest chicken 20 minutes at room temperature to remove the chill. Note: you can do this after it's oiled and seasoned, if preferred.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pat CHICKEN THIGHS dry. Place in a mixing bowl with OLIVE OIL, LEMON ZEST, OREGANO, GARLIC, SALT, and PEPPER. Toss to coat.
- Place LEMON slices on baking sheet in 6 beds (1 to 2 slices each). Set one CHICKEN THIGH on each bed. Brush the skin with any excess oil.
- Bake 35 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit next to the bone.
- Rest the cooked thighs 5 minutes at room temperature.
- Meanwhile, place remaining LEMON SLICES on a small baking sheet drizzled with a little OLIVE OIL and OREGANO. Set under the broiler for about 3 minutes, or until charred and tender.
- Serve chicken thighs warm with lemon wedges garnished with PARSLEY.
- To store, allow chicken to cool completely. Refrigerate up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Final step
Click stars to vote. Please visit 'Comments' below for reviews.
Recipe Notes
- If using frozen chicken, always thaw chicken completely before baking to prevent under-cooking.
- There's no need to rinse uncooked chicken because bacteria will naturally be destroyed when the chicken reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Don't cover the chicken while baking. Doing so will prevent the skin from becoming crispy.
Susan says
Just made for dinner tonight. Will definitely make again. Used boneless chicken thighs but will definitely use bone in thighs next time. Added feta cheese, kalamata olives and cherry pop tomatoes. After taking the chicken off the lemons I smashed the lemons with a spoon to release the juice. Served with orzo and a side of green peas. Took pics and sent to a friend and will share your website with her. Look forward to more recipes from your site.
Traci says
Yay Susan! Your additions sound perfect with this entree. I'm so glad you found your way to my recipes and excited for you to try more. I'm here for questions anytime! Thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂 Enjoy!
James says
This sounds so good and seems pretty simple to prep. I’m definitely going to try this recipe, but I might just try it on the grill. Either way, thanks for the recipe.
Mandy says
Second time making this recipe it has a lovely taste.. The only thing I changed was adding a sh.t load of garlic both powder and fresh. I also added extra lemons. Thank you for the recipe 🙂
The Kitchen Girl says
Lol awesome, Mandy! Glad to hear it ... love the garlic add-in too! 🙂 Thanks for the review!
Dan says
I was already hooked on your baked chicken thighs, but the lemon and oregano in this Greek chicken has 100% captured my interest. Thanks for the ALWAYS reliable recipes!
The Kitchen Girl says
You're so welcome, Dan! So glad to hear you're enjoying my chicken recipes 🙂 Thanks for the feedback!
Angela says
An easy and healthy recipe that uses a few great ingredients! The chicken came out so moist. No leftovers here!
The Kitchen Girl says
Perfect! So glad you loved it like we do 🙂 Thanks!
Michelle says
I've been looking for a Greek lemon chicken recipe and this one tasted exactly like the one I tried in a restaurant years ago. So tender and delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yayyy! Restaurant quality meals are so easy to come by right at home. Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Jessie says
I made this last night and everyone loved the lemon, and I am having leftovers for lunch today.
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome! Glad you loved it and yayyy leftovers 🙂 Thanks!
Jenn says
This is a delish recipe - the chicken is moist and tender and the lemon is just perfect!
Beth Sachs says
Those chicken thighs are so juicy and tender! I love the sound of the seasoning too.
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks Beth!! So glad to hear it 🙂
Kathryn says
This greek lemon chicken was delicious, flavorful and easy! We loved all of the flavors- especially the fresh lemon!
The Kitchen Girl says
Oh yeahhhh! That fresh lemon is key with these Greek chicken thighs. Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed 🙂
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I have everything I need for this dish, can’t wait to make it this weekend!
The Kitchen Girl says
Great, Shadi! Glad you can enjoy this one...thanks!
Beth says
These look so juicy and so easy! My family is definitely going to love this! So excited!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay Beth! So glad you can enjoy these...thanks!
Michelle Boule says
We made this for dinner and it was delicious! The chicken was perfectly cooked, moist and well seasoned. Can't wait to make this one again!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome Michelle! Glad you love Greek chicken thighs as much as we do 🙂 Thanks!
JB says
These Greek chicken thighs are perfect, esp for me, the guy who doesn't like cooking to be a production. Love how juicy, flavorful, and easy these are! Another winner KG!
The Kitchen Girl says
You're so welcome! Yep, this Greek chicken is def all about simple. Glad you love it! Thanks JB 🙂