Greek Grilled Chicken Thighs with Ladolemono Sauce

Greek Chicken Marinade for Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

This is a very easy marinade recipe from the North of Greece. It is primarily used for chicken or pork souvlaki skewers and works just as well when simply grilling boneless skinless chicken thighs. We routinely use it when we are after simple Greek taste notes. Even mushrooms marinated in it and then oven roasted or grilled turn out great. 

The flavor profile is bright and aromatic - it relies on Greek oregano with its pronounced savory and earthy notes which are so well suited to chicken. If Greece had to proclaim a national herb it would most certainly be oregano!

Besides oregano (using dried is typical) the marinade ingredients include the usual suspects of Greek cooking - extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic and lemon juice.

To further the savory dimension and add a bit of sweetness an onion is grated to form the base. Not only does it coat the chicken thighs better when semi-liquified but when grilled it caramelizes and creates a different dimension of surface flavor. 

NOTE: Greek oregano is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and has a distinctly robust savory flavor. Do not substitute it with Mexican oregano in this marinade recipe if you want to stay the course with authentic Greek flavor. Mexican oregano which is from the verbena family (Verbenaceae) has a more citrusy and mildly licorice flavor. The two are not perfect susbstitutes for each other.

Make the Greek Chicken Marinade Recipe & Grill

Mix. Use the shred side of a box greater to grate the onion. Add the cloves garlic (minced) and freshly squeezed lemon juice, then the oregano, salt and pepper and extra virgin olive oil. Whisk everything together in a bowl and let stand for a couple of minutes for the ingredients to imbibe each other. 

Marinate. Coat the surface of the chicken thighs really well. The marinade will behave more like a paste than a liquid and the juices of the onion will become well absorbed by the dark meat. Marinate refrigerated overnight for best results, but 4 to 6 hours will also work nicely.

Grill. Preheat your grill to hot (or a grilling pan over a hot stove). Place the marinated chicken thighs over direct heat (medium-high heat to high) and grill with the lid closed. 

How Long to Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs - Instructions

Grilling boneless chicken thighs over the direct heat of a hot grill generally takes 5 to 6 minutes per side or a total of about 12 minutes. The lid of the grill must remain closed to maintain the temperature. Chicken is safe to eat once the internal temperature reaches 165 F when measured with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the thighs. That being said, when grilling boneless skinless chicken thighs we like to go up to 170 F. 

• When you flip the chicken after the initial 5-6 minutes use the opportunity to move the thighs placed towards the periphery of the direct heat to the center and vice versa. In this manner they should all cook evenly.
• Another consideration is that smaller/thinner thigh pieces will cook faster, so you can simply keep them towards the periphery of the direct heat.
• If using a grilling pan you may cover the thighs with a suitable lid to simulate a closed grill. 

TIP: You can use a grill pan on your stove top to prepare the chicken over medium-high heat. 

A Fresh, Bright Finish with Ladolemono

While the boneless chicken pieces are sizzling you can take the opportunity to make the Greek lemony oil called ladolemono. It is a classic finish for grilled meats in Greece and we most enthusiastically recommend that you do not skip it. 

All you need to do is mix extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a 2:1 ratio (see the pictures above).

The ladolemono gets absorbed by the thigh meat really quickly due to the fact that grilling generally dries out meat. In addition to replenishing lost moisture it infuses the chicken with the combined deliciousness of spicy fruitiness from the olive oil and citrus notes from the lemon. 

Dish Variations - Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade & Chicken Breast

If you want the chicken to be exceptionally tender you can prepare the above described marinade with yogurt. The beneficial live bacteria in Greek yogurt will have a tenderizing effect on the meat. All you have to do is add about half a cup to the mixture.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts become exceptionally tender and jucier when treated with a yogurt marinade so if you want a substitute for the thigh meat opt for this variation.