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Flavorful Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Thighs with Creamy Tzatziki Sauce

lemon herb grilled chicken thighs - featured image
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Juicy, tender chicken thighs marinated in a bright lemon herb mixture and grilled to perfection, served with a cool, creamy tzatziki sauce. A quick and easy recipe perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds (700g) chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
  • ½ cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade by whisking together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped oregano, honey, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
  2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, add to the marinade, turn to coat thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1 to 2 hours.
  3. Grate the cucumber using a microplane or fine grater and squeeze out excess moisture with a kitchen towel.
  4. In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, fresh dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir until creamy and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  5. Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  6. Place chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, flipping once, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy and golden.
  7. Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  8. Serve the grilled chicken thighs with a generous dollop of creamy tzatziki sauce, garnished with fresh dill or lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating to ensure crispy skin. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1-2 hours for best flavor. Drain cucumber thoroughly for thick tzatziki. Use tongs to turn chicken to keep juices inside. If grilling indoors, ventilate well due to strong marinade aroma. For oven baking, cook at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes on a wire rack.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon herb chicken, grilled chicken thighs, tzatziki sauce, easy dinner, Mediterranean chicken, healthy chicken recipe, quick chicken marinade

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