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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Chicken / Braised Greek Style Chicken Breasts

Braised Greek Style Chicken Breasts

Published November 23, 2022 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Greek chicken in a skillet with text overlay.
Greek chicken in a skillet with text overlay.
Greek chicken in a skillet with text overlay.
Two images of Greek chicken in a skillet with text overlay between them.

Braised Greek Chicken Breasts is an easy recipe that pairs beautifully with just about any side dishes you can imagine. It’s made with simple, flavorful ingredients, like lemon, garlic and oregano, and is sure to be a family favorite.

Overhead close up of Greek Style Braised Chicken in a cast iron skillet.

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Braised Greek chicken is one of the recipes that I created for my International Cuisine final exam in culinary arts school. I was assigned Greece as my country of study, which I was thrilled with considering my family is mostly from the Mediterranean area of the world. 

Greek food is often made with light and fresh ingredients and is generally considered a fairly healthy cuisine. Chicken was not native to Greece, but today it is cook with regularly. 

This recipe is basically a Greek lemon chicken that is marinated in freshly squeezed lemon juice, oregano, olive oil and garlic for a short time before being seared to golden brown perfection. It is finished by braising it in the remaining marinade in the oven to keep it moist.

Along with this chicken recipe, I also made recipes for Greek Potatoes and Greek Zucchini Balls (or fritters) that I will be sharing very soon, as well.

Why This Recipe Works

Greek chicken is a very quick and easy recipe to prepare. It only requires 30 minutes minimum to marinate.

It is a super flavorful dish made with simple ingredients that Greek cooking is notorious for.

This is a healthier recipe. It is naturally low carb, keto friendly and gluten free.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make Greek chicken on a marble background with text overlay.

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided)
  • 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 pound boneless chicken breasts
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 lemon (cut into slices with seeds removed)

Chef’s Tip: this recipe can be made with any cut of chicken, though cook times may vary slightly. Skin can be left on the chicken, if preferred.

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Zest and juice one lemon and cut the other into enough slices so that you have one for each piece of chicken.

Mince the garlic.

Because there is a short marinating time for this recipe, you won’t need to preheat your oven right away.

Create!

Chicken breasts in a Greek marinade.

Combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic and oregano in a large bowl or deep dish. Whisk until well combined.

Add the chicken and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

Browned chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet.

When you are ready to begin cooking, preheat your oven to 375°F.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large, deep, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.

Season one side of the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the skillet, seasoned side down. Season the opposite side of the chicken while the first side cooks. Reserve the marinade.

Sear until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Flip. You may need to work in batches.

Seared chicken breasts with lemon slices on top in a cast iron skillet.

Pour the remaining marinade around the chicken and top each piece of chicken with a slice of lemon.

Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F on a food thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest portion.

Present!

Five Greek Lemon Chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet.

Garnish with fresh oregano, if desired.

Tips and Techniques

  • This recipe can be made with any cut of chicken, though cook times may vary slightly. Skin can be left on the chicken, if preferred.
  • The chicken and marinade can be transferred to a baking dish after searing it, if you don’t have an oven-proof skillet.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days.

FAQ’s

What Do You Serve With Greek Chicken?

Because Greek Chicken is a simple main dish, it can be paired with a huge variety of side dishes. Try it with rice, orzo pasta, or potatoes. Green vegetables that pair well with this dish include broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts.

How Do You Know When Chicken Is Done Cooking?

Chicken is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is no longer pink in the center. You can use a food thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest part of the chicken to check the temperature.

More Lemon Chicken Recipes

Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken with Orzo Pasta
Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken and Orzo Pasta is a one-pan dinner recipe that is full of rich, lemony flavors. It's very simple to make, quick enough for dinner on busy weeknights, and it's beautiful presentation makes it perfect for entertaining, as well.
Get The Recipe
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Mediterranean Chicken with Lemon Olive Sauce
Mediterranean Chicken is the perfect recipe for busy weeknights. A simple pan-seared chicken is topped with a delicious quick, lemon olive sauce. 
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Creamy Lemon Artichoke Chicken
Creamy Lemon Artichoke Chicken is fresh, creamy and full of amazing flavor. It's a simple one-pan dinner recipe made with seared chicken, marinated artichoke hearts, cream and lemon. This simple recipe is naturally low carb, keto and gluten free.
Get The Recipe

Love this Braised Greek Style Chicken recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

Close up of Greek chicken breasts.
Print

Braised Greek Style Chicken

Braised Greek Chicken Breasts is an easy recipe that pairs beautifully with just about any side dishes you can imagine. It’s made with simple, flavorful ingredients, like lemon, garlic and oregano, and is sure to be a family favorite.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Chicken, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Mediterranean
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinate Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 295kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided)
  • 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 pound boneless chicken breasts
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 lemon (cut into slices)

Instructions

  • Combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic and oregano in a large bowl or deep dish. Whisk until well combined.
    3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 lemon, 4 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Add the chicken and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
    1 pound boneless chicken breasts
  • When you are ready to begin cooking, preheat your oven to 375°F.
  • Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large, deep, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.
    3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Season one side of the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the skillet, seasoned side down. Season the opposite side of the chicken while the first side cooks. Reserve the marinade.
    salt, pepper
  • Sear until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Flip. You may need to work in batches.
  • Pour the reserved marinade around the chicken and top each piece of chicken with a slice of lemon.
    1 lemon
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through, about 10-15 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F on a food thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest portion.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • This recipe can be made with any cut of chicken, though cook times may vary slightly. Skin can be left on the chicken, if preferred.
  • The chicken and marinade can be transferred to a baking dish after searing it, if you don’t have an oven-proof skillet.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary. It takes into account all of the marinade, which may or may not all be consumed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 103IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

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Filed Under: Chicken, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dish, Recipes

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Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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