Grilled Greek Chicken Recipes

GRILLED GREEK CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, oregano leaves, garlic, lemon juice and salt and pepper, to taste. Pat the chicken dry and place in a re-sealable plastic bag. Pour the mixture over the chicken and seal the bag, pressing out any excess air, and then turn the bag over several times to distribute the marinade. Put the chicken bag in a shallow dish and marinate, in the refrigerator, for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degree F.
• Place a grill pan over moderately-high heat until very hot. Place the chicken skin-side down and cook until well browned, 10 to 13 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a sheet pan and finish cooking in the oven until golden brown and cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes. Let the chicken rest 10 minutes before serving.

GRILLED SPATCHCOCKED GREEK CHICKEN

Steps:

• To spatchcock the chicken, use strong kitchen scissors or poultry shears and cut down either side of the spine. Pull out the spine, turn the chicken over and press down on the breast of the chicken to flatten it out to one thickness.
• Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Put the chicken in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag in a rimmed dish. Pour in half of the marinade, reserving the rest for serving later. Seal the bag and rotate it around to evenly distribute the marinade. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season generously all over with salt and pepper; let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Prepare a grill for medium indirect heat: For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes turn off one of the middle burners and turn the remaining burners down to medium. For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer's guide for best results.)
• Place the chicken skin-side up on the indirect side of the grill with the legs facing the hotter side. Cover and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone) reads 150 to 160 degrees F (almost cooked through), about 50 minutes.
• Move the chicken over to the direct-heat side of the grill. After 2 minutes, flip the chicken to char and crisp up the skin side, another 3 or 4 minutes. Check that the temperature in the thigh is now at least 165 degrees F. If it is not, then move the chicken back to the indirect side, cover and cook until the final temperature is reached. Remove from the grill; let rest 20 minutes before carving.
• Stir the scallions and dill into the reserved marinade. Drizzle over the chicken or serve on the side.

GRILLED SPATCHCOCKED GREEK CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, rosemary, and tarragon together in a measuring cup.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour 1/2 of the oil mixture over the chicken and reserve the remaining 1/2. Using your hands, massage the oil mixture into the chicken skin. Season with salt and pepper.
• Grill chicken skin-side up over indirect heat for 50 minutes. Move chicken over direct heat and grill 5 minutes. Carefully flip chicken over skin-side down and grill until skin is brown and crispy, about 5 more minutes. Transfer chicken to a serving platter and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Drizzle reserved oil mixture over the chicken. Carve and serve.

GRILLED GREEK CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, black pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, and vinegar together in a large bowl.
• Make 2 slashes on the skin side down to the bone in the thigh section and 1 in the leg section of each leg quarter. This will help infuse pieces with marinade and allow faster cooking on the grill. Season both sides of chicken generously with kosher salt. Transfer to bowl with marinade and thoroughly coat all sides. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 4 to 12 hours.
• Transfer chicken to paper-towel-lined sheet pan to drain slightly.
• Place leg quarters on grill skin side down over semi-direct heat (avoid intense direct heat so chicken cooks evenly and skin doesn't burn). Cook 6 or 7 minutes. Turn chicken and cook another 6 to 7 minutes. Continue cooking and turning until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), 8 to 10 more minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

GRILLED GREEK CHICKEN BREASTS WITH WHIPPED FETA

Steps:

• Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise.
• Combine red wine vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and garlic powder in a bowl. Add chicken and toss until thoroughly and evenly coated. Pour in ¼ cup olive oil and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 12 hours, but 2 to 3 hours is ideal.
• Place Greek yogurt in another bowl and crumble in feta cheese. Add garlic, mint, and lemon zest and whip with an electric hand mixer or whisk until light and fluffy. Taste and adjust as needed. Refrigerate until needed.
• Preheat a charcoal grill until coals are white and very hot.
• Grill chicken over the hot coals for about 4 minutes per side; continue to flip and grill chicken until no longer pink in the center and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of each piece reads at least 150 degrees F (65 degrees C). Remove from the grill and let rest for about 5 minutes.
• Spread whipped feta onto a serving platter or plate and place chicken over top. Sprinkle with fresh Italian parsley and mint and serve.

GRILLED GREEK CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Combine lemon juice, oregano, garlic salt in shallow dish. Whisk to combine. While wisking stir in olive oil.
• Add chicken turning once. Marinate 30-60 minutes turning half-way.
• Grill to your liking; discard marinade.
• Top chicken with feta cheese, tzatziki sauce (gyro sauce), and olives.

GRILLED GREEK CHICKEN

Steps:

• Make marinade in small bowl, whisk together lemon zest and juice, oregano, oil, 2 teas. Kosher salt and 1 teas. fresh black pepper.
• Divide marinade between 2 large re-sealable plastic bags.
• Lightly pierce chicken with meat fork to deeply accept marinade.
• Place 2 chicken halves in each bag; shake to coat. let marinate at room temp 30 minutes, turning bags occasionally.
• Preheat grill to medium and lightly oil grates.
• Remove chicken from bags and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place chicken on grill and cook until lightly browned and cooked throughly, about 20 minutes.
• Instant read thermometer should read 175*F when inserted in the thickest part of the chicken.
• (If browning too quick, move to part of grill with less heat or turn down grill.).
• Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Tent with foil; let rest 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place lemon halves on grill; cook to slightly char, 8-10 minutes.
• Garnish chicken with oregano sprigs and service with grilled lemons.