Mediterranean chicken
lemon garlic chicken
baked chicken thighs
yogurt sauce
low carb dinner
healthy chicken recipe
Shredhappens
easy meal prep
07 November 2025

Mediterranean Lemony Garlicky Chicken—Bright, Bold & Juicy!

Shredhappens (adapted by JojoM)

Mediterranean Lemony Garlicky Chicken—Bright, Bold & Juicy!

Juicy oven-baked chicken thighs marinated in lemon, garlic, and tomato paste with a creamy yogurt sauce. A rustic Mediterranean dish that’s bright, bold, and bursting with flavor.

Mediterranean Lemony Garlicky Chicken—Bright, Bold & Juicy! 🍋🔥

If you’re craving something zesty, juicy, and full of flavor, this Mediterranean Lemony Garlicky Chicken will absolutely hit the spot. It’s a one-pan oven-baked chicken dish that combines lemon, garlic, tomato paste, and Mediterranean spices into a bold, rustic meal — balanced perfectly with a cooling Greek yogurt sauce. 🇬🇷✨

This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough for guests — especially when served with roasted veggies or warm pita on the side.


🧄 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bursting with flavor: The combination of lemon, garlic, and paprika creates a tangy, smoky depth.
  • Juicy every time: Using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs keeps the meat tender and flavorful.
  • Healthy comfort food: High in protein, low in carbs, and naturally gluten-free.
  • Meal-prep friendly: Reheats beautifully for quick lunches or dinners.

🍋 Step-by-Step Mediterranean Magic

1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and zest, tomato paste, garlic, parsley, paprika, chili flakes, and salt. Add most of the mixture to your chicken thighs, reserving a bit for basting later.
Massage everything until evenly coated and let it marinate for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better!).

2️⃣ Bake Until Golden

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line the base of a baking dish with sliced onions and place the marinated chicken on top. Sprinkle a little shaved parmesan if you like a richer flavor.
Bake for 40 minutes, then brush with the reserved marinade and return to the oven for 7–10 more minutes until beautifully golden and slightly crisp.

3️⃣ Whip Up the Yogurt Sauce

In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, and a pinch of salt.
Once the chicken is ready, spread the sauce on your serving platter and top it with the roasted chicken.
Spoon the pan juices over the top and garnish with more parsley and parmesan.


🥗 Serving Suggestions

Serve this with:

  • Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb pairing.
  • A side of warm pita or tabbouleh for a heartier meal.
  • Fresh cucumber and tomato salad with feta for extra Mediterranean flair. 🧀🍅

💡 Tips for Success

✨ Marinate overnight for deep, restaurant-level flavor.
🔥 Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for unbeatable juiciness.
🌿 Don’t skip the yogurt sauce — it ties all the flavors together beautifully.


🌟 Final Thoughts

This Mediterranean Lemony Garlicky Chicken captures the essence of sunny coastal cooking — bright, bold, and comforting. Each bite delivers juicy, citrusy goodness balanced with creamy yogurt coolness. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or cooking for loved ones, this recipe will make your kitchen smell divine and your table feel like a Mediterranean escape. 🌊🍋

Enjoy every golden, garlicky bite! 😍🍴

Mediterranean Lemony Garlicky Chicken—Bright, Bold & Juicy!

Shredhappens (adapted by JojoM)

Juicy oven-baked chicken thighs marinated in lemon, garlic, and tomato paste with a creamy yogurt sauce. A rustic Mediterranean dish that’s bright, bold, and bursting with flavor.

Mediterranean Lemony Garlicky Chicken—Bright, Bold & Juicy! image
Mediterranean chicken
lemon garlic chicken
baked chicken thighs
yogurt sauce
low carb dinner
healthy chicken recipe
Shredhappens
easy meal prep
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
65 mins
Servings
4

Chef's Tips

  • Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavor.

  • Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for juicier results.

  • Add roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus for a complete meal.

Tools Used

We use affiliate links, which may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Ingredients

USMetric

Marinated Chicken

Yogurt Sauce

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

  1. 1

    In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice and zest, tomato paste, garlic, parsley, paprika, chili flakes, and salt.

  2. 2

    Add 3/4 of the mixture to chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Reserve the rest for later.

  3. 3

    Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the fridge.

Bake the Chicken

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

  2. 2

    Place sliced onions in an oven-safe dish and layer the marinated chicken on top.

  3. 3

    Optionally sprinkle with shaved parmesan.

  4. 4

    Bake for 40 minutes, then brush with reserved marinade and bake for another 7–10 minutes.

Prepare the Yogurt Sauce

  1. 1

    In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, and salt.

  2. 2

    Spread sauce on a serving platter and top with cooked chicken.

  3. 3

    Spoon over pan juices and garnish with fresh parsley and more parmesan if desired.

Comments & Reviews

  • Amely

    11/6/2025

    This Mediterranean Lemony Garlicky Chicken looks absolutely delicious! The mix of lemon, garlic, and tomato paste sounds so vibrant. Definitely adding this to my must-try list!

  • Daisymae

    11/6/2025

    Your recipe always looks amazing. My family loved it!

  • Gluten Free With Casey C

    11/6/2025

    Had me at lemon 😍👌 So flavorful and perfect for a light dinner.

  • Sharayah Lupton

    11/6/2025

    Yummm 😋 This turned out juicy and tender. Loved it with extra yogurt sauce!

  • DanielAsher

    11/7/2025

    Your recipes are all incredible! This one’s going in my rotation.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with yogurt sauce

Calories 385
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g35%
Saturated Fat 11g55%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 110mg37%
Sodium 480mg21%
Total Carbohydrates 6g2%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Sugars 2g
Protein 33g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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