Mediterranean Chicken Bread Recipe (3 Ways) Recipe

Introduction

This Mediterranean chicken recipe is bursting with fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon, delivering vibrant flavors in every bite. Versatile and easy, it can be prepared on the grill, stovetop, or in an air fryer. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.

The image shows a white scalloped plate with layers starting from the bottom with two flat pieces of pita bread, topped by grilled chicken chunks that have char marks and a golden-brown color. Around the chicken, there is a fresh mixed salad with dark purple and green leafy lettuce, cherry tomato halves in red, cucumber slices in green, and some arugula. In the center of the chicken pieces, there is a small white bowl filled with a creamy white sauce. A lemon wedge sits near the salad on the plate's lower right edge. The plate is on a white marbled surface, and on the top right, there is a clear glass with a lemon slice inside a sparkly liquid. Nearby, part of another pita bread is slightly visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes (if skewering) or pounded thin for grilling/stovetop

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, oregano, marjoram, dill, thyme, sea salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Stir well to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss until all are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, marinate overnight.
  3. Step 3: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
  4. Step 4: Choose your cooking method:
  5. Grill method: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread chicken cubes onto skewers. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through with grill marks.
  6. Stovetop method: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
  7. Air fryer method: Preheat air fryer to 385°F. Air fry chicken for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra tenderness, marinate the chicken overnight to let flavors fully develop.
  • Swap fresh herbs like oregano and thyme for dried if preferred, adjusting quantities slightly to taste.
  • Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne for a hint of heat and smoky depth.
  • Serve the chicken over warm pita bread or alongside a fresh Greek salad for a complete meal.

Storage

Store any cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Marinated but uncooked chicken can be kept in the fridge for up to 24 hours or frozen for up to 3 months.

How to Serve

A white scalloped plate holds two grilled meat skewers with browned, slightly charred cubes sitting on top of a folded round flatbread that has a light golden-brown surface. To the right of the skewers is a fresh salad with mixed leafy greens including bright green and deeper purple leaves, halved small red cherry tomatoes, and some thin slices of white onion scattered throughout. A lemon wedge is placed on top of the salad near the flatbread. At the bottom center of the plate is a small white bowl filled with thick white sauce, likely tzatziki. The plate rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and stay juicy. Adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer to cook fully.

Is it necessary to use yogurt in the marinade?

The yogurt adds tanginess and helps tenderize the chicken, but if you prefer, you can omit it and increase the lemon juice slightly for acidity.

Print
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Mediterranean Chicken Bread Recipe (3 Ways) Recipe


  • Author: Charlotte
  • Total Time: 35 minutes (plus marinating time)
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Halal

Description

Discover a flavorful Mediterranean Chicken Bread recipe offered in three versatile cooking methods: grilling, stovetop searing, and air frying. Marinated with a blend of herbs, garlic, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice, this dish is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or weekend entertaining, delivering tender, juicy chicken bursting with Mediterranean flavors.


Ingredients

Scale

Marinade

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes for skewering or pounded thin for grilling/stovetop
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for stovetop method)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for stovetop method)
  • Wooden skewers (if using grill method)

Instructions

  1. Make the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, full-fat Greek yogurt, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, dried marjoram, dried dill, dried thyme, sea salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated, creating a flavorful marinade base.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken cubes or pounded-thin chicken breasts to the marinade bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece is evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes; for best results, let it marinate overnight to deepen the flavors.
  3. Prepare Skewers (Grill Method): If using wooden skewers for grilling, soak them in water for about 30 minutes prior to cooking. This step prevents the skewers from burning during the grilling process.
  4. Grill Method: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the soaked skewers. Place on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and develops appealing grill marks. Cooking times may vary depending on chicken thickness and grill heat.
  5. Stovetop Method: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken pieces (pounded thin works best) in the pan and sear for about 4-5 minutes per side. Cook until a golden crust forms and the chicken is cooked through.
  6. Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 385°F (196°C). Place the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

  • For the juiciest chicken, marinate overnight to allow maximum flavor infusion.
  • If using wooden skewers, soaking them is essential to avoid charring.
  • Adjust cooking times according to the size and thickness of the chicken pieces.
  • Serve with your favorite Mediterranean bread or pita and fresh vegetables or a salad for a complete meal.
  • This recipe is flexible—choose the cooking method that best fits your available equipment and taste preferences.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling, Stovetop, Air Frying (primary cooking methods are grilling, stovetop searing, and air frying; grilling and stovetop involve direct heat cooking on a grill or pan, air frying uses hot circulating air to cook the chicken)
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: Mediterranean chicken, chicken skewers, grilled chicken, air fryer chicken, stovetop chicken, herb marinade, Greek yogurt marinade

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