Greek Lemon Chicken Recipe

Mediterranean cuisine boasts over 200 unique chicken recipes, with Greek Lemon Chicken emerging as a standout favorite. You'll want to master this classic dish that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. From the zesty lemon marinade to the perfectly roasted chicken, this recipe promises to transport your taste buds to the sun-drenched Greek islands. Want to know how to create a meal that's both incredibly flavorful and surprisingly easy? Let's uncover the secrets of authentic Greek cooking.

Table of Contents

Recipe Highlights

A traditional Greek lemon chicken recipe requires bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, fresh lemons, olive oil, oregano, and sea salt.
Prepare the dish by preheating the oven to 375°F, arranging chicken skin-side up, and generously coating with lemon juice and olive oil.
Season the chicken uniformly with dried oregano and sea salt to create a classic Mediterranean flavor profile.
Bake the chicken until the skin turns golden-brown and crispy, ensuring a tender and juicy interior with bright, zesty notes.
Allow the chicken to rest after cooking to distribute juices evenly, and garnish with fresh herbs for an authentic Greek presentation.

History

Although Greek cuisine has ancient roots stretching back thousands of years, the specific lemon chicken dish we know today emerged as a modern culinary interpretation of traditional Mediterranean cooking techniques.

You'll find this recipe reflects centuries of Greek culinary evolution, where simple ingredients combine to create extraordinary flavors. The dish likely developed from classic Mediterranean roasting methods, which emphasized:

Using locally available ingredients
Maximizing flavor through minimal processing
Highlighting fresh, seasonal produce

As trade routes expanded and cultural exchanges increased, lemon became a pivotal ingredient in Greek cooking.

You can trace the origins of this recipe to coastal regions where citrus trees flourished, and home cooks perfected techniques for transforming humble chicken into a vibrant, aromatic meal that celebrates the essence of Greek gastronomy.

Recipe

Greek Lemon Chicken is a vibrant and aromatic dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. The combination of bright lemon, fragrant oregano, and tender chicken creates a meal that's both simple and incredibly flavorful, transporting diners to the sun-drenched islands of Greece with every bite.

This classic recipe showcases how just a few high-quality ingredients can transform an ordinary chicken dish into something truly extraordinary. The key is in the careful preparation and the harmonious blend of citrus, herbs, and olive oil that infuse the meat with a light, refreshing taste.

Ingredients:

4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
3 large lemons
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon sea salt

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking dish, arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up, ensuring they aren't overcrowded. Squeeze the juice of two lemons directly over the chicken, making sure to cover each piece thoroughly. Drizzle the olive oil evenly across the chicken, then sprinkle the dried oregano and sea salt over the top, creating a uniform seasoning.

Slice the remaining lemon and distribute the slices around and underneath the chicken pieces. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Halfway through cooking, baste the chicken with the pan juices to enhance moisture and flavor. The chicken is done when the skin is crispy and golden brown, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

For the most successful Greek Lemon Chicken, allow the chicken to come to room temperature before cooking, which ensures more even heat distribution. Pat the chicken skin dry with paper towels before seasoning to guarantee maximum crispiness.

If the skin begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. After removing from the oven, let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, which helps retain its juices and ensures a more tender result.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by preheating your oven to 375°F, creating the perfect environment for transforming those chicken thighs into a golden, crispy Mediterranean masterpiece.

Arrange the thighs skin-side up in your baking dish, then generously squeeze fresh lemon juice over each piece, creating a bright, citrusy base that'll infuse the meat with incredible flavor.

Drizzle olive oil evenly across the chicken, and sprinkle a generous layer of oregano and sea salt, ensuring each thigh is well-seasoned and ready to become a delicious Greek-inspired dish.

Step 1. Preheat Oven to 375°F

First things first, set your oven to a precise 375°F (190°C), which is the ideal temperature for achieving perfectly crispy, golden-brown chicken skin while ensuring the meat stays tender and juicy.

Position your oven rack in the center position for even heat distribution, allowing maximum air circulation around your chicken. Use an oven thermometer if you're unsure about your appliance's accuracy, as precise temperature matters significantly in achieving that restaurant-quality result.

Preheat for at least 15 minutes before placing your chicken inside, which guarantees the oven's internal temperature is completely stabilized. This consistent heat will help render the chicken fat, create a beautiful crisp exterior, and cook the meat evenly without drying it out.

Step 2. Arrange Chicken Thighs Skin-Up

With a sharp eye for culinary presentation, carefully select a large baking dish that'll comfortably accommodate your four chicken thighs.

Position each thigh skin-side up.

Step 3. Squeeze Lemon Juice Evenly

After positioning your chicken thighs skin-side up in the baking dish, grab those bright, sunny lemons to infuse your dish with vibrant Mediterranean flavor.

Take two large lemons and slice them in half, using firm pressure to extract every drop of tangy juice over the chicken. Aim to distribute the juice evenly, covering each thigh completely, which helps tenderize the meat and create a bright, citrusy base for your dish.

Squeeze directly over chicken
Use fresh, room-temperature lemons
Press and roll lemons before juicing to maximize juice extraction
Avoid seeds by squeezing through your fingers

The juice will help break down the chicken's proteins, ensuring a moist, flavorful result that captures the essence of Greek coastal cooking.

Step 4. Drizzle Olive Oil Evenly

The golden secret to perfect Greek lemon chicken lies in your olive oil drizzle technique. You'll want to use high-quality extra virgin olive oil, measuring out precisely 1/4 cup for maximum flavor distribution.

Hold the bottle about 6 inches above the chicken, moving your hand in a smooth, sweeping motion to ensure even coverage across each thigh.

Key drizzling tips:

Pour slowly and steadily
Aim for light, transparent coating
Avoid pooling oil in dish corners
Distribute oil to create uniform moisture

Your goal is a thin, glistening layer that'll help crisp the skin and enhance the chicken's natural flavors.

Watch for a gentle sheen that covers each piece without drowning the meat, creating the perfect foundation for your Greek-inspired masterpiece.

Step 5. Sprinkle Oregano and Salt

Unleash the authentic Greek flavors by precisely sprinkling dried oregano and sea salt across your chicken thighs, transforming simple ingredients into a Mediterranean culinary masterpiece.

Measure out 2 tablespoons of dried oregano, ensuring an even, light coating that will infuse your chicken with robust herbal notes. Use your fingertips to sprinkle the oregano uniformly, letting it dance across the skin in a delicate, consistent layer.

Next, grab your sea salt and apply it with a gentle, controlled hand. You'll want about 1 tablespoon distributed evenly, creating a perfect flavor balance that enhances the chicken's natural richness.

The salt will help draw out moisture, promising a crispy, golden-brown exterior that's both crunchy and deeply satisfying.

Final Thoughts

When you're craving a Mediterranean-inspired meal that's both elegant and effortless, Greek lemon chicken emerges as the perfect go-to recipe.

You'll find this dish transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality experience with minimal effort. The key is balancing herb intensity, lemon brightness, and chicken tenderness.

Remember to trust your senses: listen for the sizzle, watch for golden-brown skin, and inhale the aromatic herbs. Your final presentation should showcase crispy, caramelized edges and a glistening surface that hints at the flavor within.

Pro tips include letting the chicken rest after cooking, which allows juices to redistribute, and serving with a fresh herb garnish.