Fresh Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe with Easy Creamy Tzatziki Sauce
A fresh and flavorful grilled chicken thighs recipe marinated in lemon and herbs, served with a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900g)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano or 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat preferred)
- ½ cucumber, peeled and grated (about ½ cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Add them to the marinade bowl, turning to coat all sides evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Peel and grate half a cucumber. Squeeze out excess moisture using a kitchen towel or fine mesh sieve.
- Combine grated cucumber with Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and chopped dill in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill until ready to serve.
- Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Lightly oil grates if using an outdoor grill.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down and grill for 6–7 minutes without moving to get a good sear and crisp skin.
- Flip and grill for another 6–7 minutes on the other side. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with a generous dollop of creamy tzatziki sauce.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before marinating to ensure crispy skin. Marinate at least 30 minutes for flavor, up to overnight for best results. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C). Drain cucumber well to avoid watery tzatziki. If skin darkens too quickly, move chicken to cooler grill area and close lid to finish cooking gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large chicken thig
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 30
Keywords: grilled chicken thighs, lemon herb chicken, tzatziki sauce, Mediterranean chicken, easy grilled chicken, healthy chicken recipe