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Flavorful Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs Recipe with Easy Creamy Tzatziki

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Juicy grilled lemon herb chicken thighs paired with a creamy, garlicky tzatziki sauce. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900 grams)
  • 2 large lemons, zested and juiced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat)
  • ½ cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, olive oil, chopped oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper (about 5 minutes).
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place chicken thighs in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, coat evenly. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight (minimum 30 minutes if short on time).
  3. Make the tzatziki: Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel. In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well and refrigerate until ready.
  4. Preheat the grill: Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (~400°F / 200°C). Lightly oil grates or pan to prevent sticking.
  5. Grill the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, let excess drip off. Place skin-side down on grill. Cook 6-7 minutes until skin is crispy and charred. Flip and grill another 6-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Avoid pressing down on chicken.
  6. Rest the chicken: Transfer grilled chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  7. Serve: Plate chicken thighs with a generous dollop of creamy tzatziki. Garnish with fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Do not skip lemon zest in the marinade for added aroma. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for juiciness. Avoid flipping chicken too often to prevent tearing skin. Rest chicken after grilling to keep it moist. Squeeze cucumber well to avoid watery tzatziki. Marinate chicken between 2 to 24 hours; over 24 hours can affect texture. Preheat grill and oil grates to prevent sticking.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, lemon herb chicken, chicken thighs, tzatziki, easy dinner, summer recipe, BBQ, healthy chicken, low carb, gluten free

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/flavorful-grilled-lemon-herb-chicken-thighs-recipe-with-easy-creamy-tzatziki/