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Main Dishes

Greek Marinade for Chicken or Fish

June 9, 2022
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Bring fresh Mediterranean flavors to your kitchen with this Greek Marinade which can be used with chicken or white fish. Made with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lots of garlic, parsley and oregano, this marinade takes just minutes to come together. Read more about the ingredients plus my tips for selecting protein.

This is my go-to marinade for chicken and fish. Its incredibly easy to come together with ingredients you likely have in your pantry and instantly elevates your dish. I usually use this marinade for chicken but have also tried this with white fish with similar delicious results.

Greek Chicken Marinade Ingredients

A great marinade needs a fat, acid and seasonings. This greek marinade for chicken includes:

  • Extra virgin olive oil – Oil is a base for most marinades and its especially important if you are cooking with a leaner cut of chicken or fish.
  • Lemon juice and lemon zest – Acidity from the lemon juice helps break down the tough fibers of the protein and infuses the lemon flavor to the marinade. Adding zest intensifies the flavor.
  • Fresh garlic – Do not try to substitute with garlic powder. Fresh garlic is a must.
  • Oregano and parsley – Dried herbs will have a more intense flavor and is totally acceptable if this is what you have on hand (however, you will want to use 1/4 of what is called for in the recipe which is written for fresh herbs). I personally love cooking with fresh herbs when they are available.
  • Salt – All marinades use salt for flavor.
  • Pepper – The intensity of fresh cracked pepper gives the marinade a bit of spice but ground pepper will work great too.
Ingredients for greek chicken marinade including a bowl of lemons, parsley, oregano, garlic and a decanter of olive oil

Tips for Making Greek Chicken

This recipe is as simple as chopping up the garlic and herbs and whisking the ingredients together, but here are a few tips:

  • Invest in a microplane. Use to zest the lemon.
  • Use a food processor. Short on time? I sometimes put all the ingredients in a food processor or blender to make the marinade.
  • Use fresh ingredients. For more flavor, I would highly recommend using fresh garlic and herbs. If you are in a pinch substitute dried oregano (half the amount).
  • Disgard the marinade after using. Once the marinade has come into contact with raw chicken or fish its not safe to eat.
Bowl of greek chicken marinade which includes olive oil, garlic, parsley, lemon juice and oregano

How Long Should You Marinade?

Regardless of what type of protein you use, make sure to keep your marinating period way under 24 hours.

  • 20-30 minutes will make a big difference
  • I typically marinade for about 1-2 hours for maximum flavor

What Type of Protein Should I Use?

This greek marinade can be used with any protein!

Chicken Breast – If you are eating chicken, I highly recommend seeking out organic chicken. Organic is not the same as natural! Conventional chicken has been found to be very high in arsenic, a known carcinogen. If you are going to eat chicken, please look for certified organic brands.

Wild White Fish – This marinade works will with a sturdy white fish like cod, halibut or rock fish. I love Wild Alaskan Company for wild-caught sustainable Alaskan seafood.

Tofu or Tempeh – I haven’t tried it but I don’t see why not!

More Main Dish Recipes to Try:

  • Asian Salmon Bowl with Sriracha Cashew Sauce
  • Yellow Coconut Lemongrass Curry
Platter of grilled chicken breast over a bed of greens and garnished with lemons
Print

Greek Marinade for Chicken (or Fish)

Platter of grilled chicken breast over a bed of greens and garnished with lemons
Print Recipe

Bring fresh Mediterranean flavors to your kitchen with this Greek Marinade which can be used with chicken or white fish. Made with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lots of garlic, parsley and oregano, this marinade takes just minutes to come together. 

  • Author: Jeannine

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup olive juice (juice from 2 large lemons)
  • zest of 1 lemon 
  • 8 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt or fine sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped (see notes)
  • 1 pound chicken or white fish like halibut or cod
  • Black pepper to taste 

Instructions

  • Mince herbs and garlic
  • In a large bowl add olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, pepper and herbs. Mix well using a whisk. 
  • Add protein (chicken breast, fish, or tofu/tempeh). 
  • Marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours. 
  • Grill or bake as appropriate for protein. 

Notes

If you only have dried oregano available, use 1-2 teaspoons of oregano. 

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Hi, I’m Jeannine
Hi, I’m Jeannine

Hi, I’m Jeannine

I'm a certified health and wellness coach with a passion for cooking and photographing beautiful, colorful, healthy food. I provide healthy plant-forward recipe inspiration for those who want to look and feel their healthiest from the inside out. I'm so glad you stopped by!

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Tell me: Which slide felt like a personal attack? You’ve spent most of your adult life believing that if something isn't working, you can figure it out. Research more. Work harder. Find a better solution. And honestly? That approach has probably served you pretty well. Until your 40s. Suddenly, the things that used to work aren't delivering the same results. Your body is changing, your schedule is packed, and you're trying to figure out why you're putting in so much effort without seeing the progress you expect. So you do what you've always done. You double down. But here's what I've learned: More effort isn't always the answer. Sometimes you need a different strategy. One that accounts for what's changing in your body AND the reality of your life. That means knowing when to push and when to recover. Having a nutrition plan that works on Wednesday at 6 PM, not just Sunday afternoon. And understanding which habits actually move the needle instead of trying to do everything. Because the goal isn't to become less ambitious. It's to bring that ambition to your health in a smarter way. Follow @livepowerfullyco for a more strategic approach to health in midlife.
Tell me: Which slide felt like a personal attack? You’ve spent most of your adult life believing that if something isn't working, you can figure it out. Research more. Work harder. Find a better solution. And honestly? That approach has probably served you pretty well. Until your 40s. Suddenly, the things that used to work aren't delivering the same results. Your body is changing, your schedule is packed, and you're trying to figure out why you're putting in so much effort without seeing the progress you expect. So you do what you've always done. You double down. But here's what I've learned: More effort isn't always the answer. Sometimes you need a different strategy. One that accounts for what's changing in your body AND the reality of your life. That means knowing when to push and when to recover. Having a nutrition plan that works on Wednesday at 6 PM, not just Sunday afternoon. And understanding which habits actually move the needle instead of trying to do everything. Because the goal isn't to become less ambitious. It's to bring that ambition to your health in a smarter way. Follow @livepowerfullyco for a more strategic approach to health in midlife.
Tell me: Which slide felt like a personal attack? You’ve spent most of your adult life believing that if something isn't working, you can figure it out. Research more. Work harder. Find a better solution. And honestly? That approach has probably served you pretty well. Until your 40s. Suddenly, the things that used to work aren't delivering the same results. Your body is changing, your schedule is packed, and you're trying to figure out why you're putting in so much effort without seeing the progress you expect. So you do what you've always done. You double down. But here's what I've learned: More effort isn't always the answer. Sometimes you need a different strategy. One that accounts for what's changing in your body AND the reality of your life. That means knowing when to push and when to recover. Having a nutrition plan that works on Wednesday at 6 PM, not just Sunday afternoon. And understanding which habits actually move the needle instead of trying to do everything. Because the goal isn't to become less ambitious. It's to bring that ambition to your health in a smarter way. Follow @livepowerfullyco for a more strategic approach to health in midlife.
Tell me: Which slide felt like a personal attack? You’ve spent most of your adult life believing that if something isn't working, you can figure it out. Research more. Work harder. Find a better solution. And honestly? That approach has probably served you pretty well. Until your 40s. Suddenly, the things that used to work aren't delivering the same results. Your body is changing, your schedule is packed, and you're trying to figure out why you're putting in so much effort without seeing the progress you expect. So you do what you've always done. You double down. But here's what I've learned: More effort isn't always the answer. Sometimes you need a different strategy. One that accounts for what's changing in your body AND the reality of your life. That means knowing when to push and when to recover. Having a nutrition plan that works on Wednesday at 6 PM, not just Sunday afternoon. And understanding which habits actually move the needle instead of trying to do everything. Because the goal isn't to become less ambitious. It's to bring that ambition to your health in a smarter way. Follow @livepowerfullyco for a more strategic approach to health in midlife.
Tell me: Which slide felt like a personal attack? You’ve spent most of your adult life believing that if something isn't working, you can figure it out. Research more. Work harder. Find a better solution. And honestly? That approach has probably served you pretty well. Until your 40s. Suddenly, the things that used to work aren't delivering the same results. Your body is changing, your schedule is packed, and you're trying to figure out why you're putting in so much effort without seeing the progress you expect. So you do what you've always done. You double down. But here's what I've learned: More effort isn't always the answer. Sometimes you need a different strategy. One that accounts for what's changing in your body AND the reality of your life. That means knowing when to push and when to recover. Having a nutrition plan that works on Wednesday at 6 PM, not just Sunday afternoon. And understanding which habits actually move the needle instead of trying to do everything. Because the goal isn't to become less ambitious. It's to bring that ambition to your health in a smarter way. Follow @livepowerfullyco for a more strategic approach to health in midlife.
Tell me: Which slide felt like a personal attack? You’ve spent most of your adult life believing that if something isn't working, you can figure it out. Research more. Work harder. Find a better solution. And honestly? That approach has probably served you pretty well. Until your 40s. Suddenly, the things that used to work aren't delivering the same results. Your body is changing, your schedule is packed, and you're trying to figure out why you're putting in so much effort without seeing the progress you expect. So you do what you've always done. You double down. But here's what I've learned: More effort isn't always the answer. Sometimes you need a different strategy. One that accounts for what's changing in your body AND the reality of your life. That means knowing when to push and when to recover. Having a nutrition plan that works on Wednesday at 6 PM, not just Sunday afternoon. And understanding which habits actually move the needle instead of trying to do everything. Because the goal isn't to become less ambitious. It's to bring that ambition to your health in a smarter way. Follow @livepowerfullyco for a more strategic approach to health in midlife.
Tell me: Which slide felt like a personal attack? You’ve spent most of your adult life believing that if something isn't working, you can figure it out. Research more. Work harder. Find a better solution. And honestly? That approach has probably served you pretty well. Until your 40s. Suddenly, the things that used to work aren't delivering the same results. Your body is changing, your schedule is packed, and you're trying to figure out why you're putting in so much effort without seeing the progress you expect. So you do what you've always done. You double down. But here's what I've learned: More effort isn't always the answer. Sometimes you need a different strategy. One that accounts for what's changing in your body AND the reality of your life. That means knowing when to push and when to recover. Having a nutrition plan that works on Wednesday at 6 PM, not just Sunday afternoon. And understanding which habits actually move the needle instead of trying to do everything. Because the goal isn't to become less ambitious. It's to bring that ambition to your health in a smarter way. Follow @livepowerfullyco for a more strategic approach to health in midlife.
•
Follow
Tell me: Which slide felt like a personal attack? You’ve spent most of your adult life believing that if something isn't working, you can figure it out. Research more. Work harder. Find a better solution. And honestly? That approach has probably served you pretty well. Until your 40s. Suddenly, the things that used to work aren't delivering the same results. Your body is changing, your schedule is packed, and you're trying to figure out why you're putting in so much effort without seeing the progress you expect. So you do what you've always done. You double down. But here's what I've learned: More effort isn't always the answer. Sometimes you need a different strategy. One that accounts for what's changing in your body AND the reality of your life. That means knowing when to push and when to recover. Having a nutrition plan that works on Wednesday at 6 PM, not just Sunday afternoon. And understanding which habits actually move the needle instead of trying to do everything. Because the goal isn't to become less ambitious. It's to bring that ambition to your health in a smarter way. Follow @livepowerfullyco for a more strategic approach to health in midlife.
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