Greek Fish or Chicken Marinade Recipe
This tangy and flavorful Greek marinade is perfect for enhancing the taste of chicken breasts or white fish. Made with fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, and capers, it brings a bright Mediterranean flair to your meal. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s an easy way to infuse protein with bold, zesty flavors before grilling, baking, or pan-searing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes (max for chicken baking)
- Total Time: 35 minutes to 12 hours (including marinating; minimum active time about 35 minutes)
- Yield: Approximately ⅓ cup marinade, enough for 1 serving of chicken or fish
- Category: Marinade
- Method: Grilling, Baking, Pan-searing
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon chopped capers
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, freshly chopped oregano, thyme leaves, chopped capers, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk the mixture until it reaches a slightly emulsified consistency, which helps the flavors blend and stick well to the protein.
- Marinate the Protein: Place your choice of chicken breasts or white fish in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the prepared marinade over the protein, ensuring it is coated evenly on all sides. For chicken breasts, allow the meat to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours to maximize flavor absorption. For fish, marinate for 20 to 30 minutes to avoid over-marinating and breaking down the delicate flesh.
- Cook the Meat or Fish: Choose your preferred cooking method for the marinated protein. You can grill over medium-high heat until the meat is lightly charred and cooked through—about 5 to 7 minutes per side for chicken breasts, or 3 to 4 minutes per side for fish. Alternatively, bake in a 400°F (204°C) oven: 20 to 25 minutes for chicken breasts or 10 to 12 minutes for fish. For pan-searing, heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, cooking the chicken breasts for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or the fish for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until cooked through and nicely browned.
Notes
- This marinade can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making meal prep easy and convenient.
- Adjust marinating times depending on thickness of chicken or fish for best results.
- Fresh oregano and thyme are preferred for the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if needed (use 1 teaspoon each dried).
- If using fish, avoid marinating longer than 30 minutes to prevent the acidic lemon juice from ‘cooking’ the fish.
Find it online: https://recipesbyliza.com/greek-fish-or-chicken-marinade-recipe/
