Simple marinated citrus Greek chicken with a two ingredient sauce. It’s perfect all year round and you only need one skillet to make dinner in 30 minutes!

a photo of two golden seared chicken breasts sitting on a serving plate topped with sun-dried tomatoes and slices of lemon scattered around the chicken.

Marinated chicken is where it’s at! Whether it’s our simple marinated grilled chicken breasts or our smoked marinated chicken thighs, marinating chicken adds so much flavor and tenderness. The marinade for this citrus Greek chicken packs this recipe with outrageous flavor and is so simple!

This citrus Greek chicken looks like something you’d be served in your favorite restaurant, but it’s the easiest recipe ever. However, I’ve got rules so listen up!

a photo of two golden chicken breasts in a shallow dutch oven topped with sun-dried tomatoes sitting on a orange juice broth with half a lemon sitting next to it.

Tips for the Best Citrus Greek Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts should not be overcooked. Ever. Here’s a really simple way to have perfectly cooked, perfectly moist chicken every single time.

I cringe when I hear about chicken breasts in the oven for an hour or a half hour on the stove top. Please, please don’t do that. Your dinners will be 100 times better if you cook the chicken properly.

Marinated meat is an easy way to have flavor without extra calories or effort, but it must have time. We like to marinate our chicken at least two hours or up to overnight. You pick what works for you.

And finally, oil packed sun dried tomatoes should always be in your fridge. They are amazing. The end.

a photo of several uncooked chicken breasts coated in marinade and sealed in a large plastic bag

Ingredients for Citrus Greek Chicken

I’m going to list the ingredients for the chicken marinade first, and then the simple 2 ingredient sauce that we will use to pour over the chicken. Here is what you will need:

  • Chicken Breasts: boneless, skinless
  • Olive Oil: help tenderize the chicken as it marinates
  • Orange Juice: If you have the time, juice your own oranges so you have pure fresh orange juice without any added sugar.
  • Greek Seasoning: We prefer McCormick brand, but if you like a different brand or want to make you’re own, we’ve included a recipe below.
  • Salt: adds flavor
  • Pepper: adds flavor
  • Garlic: adds flavor

For the Sauce

  • Packed Sun-dried Tomatoes: adds texture, flavor and color to the chicken
  • Orange Juice: adds bright citrus flavor to the chicken as it cooks

The measurements for all of the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

a photo of all the ingredients used for the marinade and sauce for citrus greek chicken

What Goes in Greek Seasoning?

There are several brands of Greek seasoning out there. We prefer to use the McCormick Greek seasoning, but if you want to make you’re own from scratch, here is a basic recipe:

  • 1 Tablespoon Oregano
  • 2 teaspoons Thyme
  • 2 teaspoons Basil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons Dill
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons Dried Parsley
  • 2 teaspoons Onion Powder
  • 2 ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Marjoram
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
a photo of several golden chicken breasts topped with sun-dried tomatoes sitting in a shallow dutch oven sitting in rich cooking juices

How to Make Greek Citrus Chicken

I’ve mentioned several times how easy this recipe is, so now let me prove it! Here are the basic steps:

  1. Prep: Combine all the ingredients for the marinade as well as the chicken in a zip top bag. Seal the bag and squish the marinade all over the chicken and then place in the refrigerator.
  2. Marinate: Let the chicken rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
  3. Cook: Heat a grill plan over high heat, add a little olive oil and then place the chicken on the pan. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 6-7 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook an additional 6-7 minutes.
  4. Rest: Remove the chicken from the pan and set to the side in a serving dish to rest. Add the sauce ingredients to the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes. Pour the sauce over the top of the chicken and then serve.

All of these instructions can also be found in the recipe card below. The recipe can also be saved or printed there.

Why Do You Marinate Chicken?

Marinade adds flavor to meats and makes them more tender.

Marinade allows fluids and seasonings to enter the meat so it will maintain its moisture during grilling and not dry out as quickly.

a photo of a golden cooked chicken breasts topped with sun-dried tomatoes

Can You Use Fresh Tomatoes in Place of Sun Dried Tomatoes?

Sun dried tomatoes have a very tart, concentrated flavor which will enhance the flavor of your dish.

However, if you do not have sun dried tomatoes, you can substitute either drained canned tomatoes or fresh plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped.

Or, you can roast tomatoes until they are nearly dry.

a photo of several golden chicken breasts topped with sun-dried tomatoes sitting in a shallow dutch oven sitting in rich cooking juices

What to Serve with Citrus Greek Chicken

Citrus green chicken goes great with just about anything. We love to make a side of mashed potatoes or just a simple white rice. If you want to stick with Greek cuisine, a side salad like our easy Greek pasta salad or our Mediterranean orzo pasta salad would taste great! And you all know I’m always down for bread…French bread or crusty artisan bread.

Storing and Reheating

Leftover Greek citrus chicken should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. It will keep for up to 4 days. This chicken also freezes well. Let it cool completely and place in a ziploc bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

The chicken can be reheated in the microwave quickly, but I prefer to reheat it in the oven. Place the chicken in a baking dish and add a little chicken broth or orange juice. Cover the baking dish with foil and reheat at 350 degrees F for 5-10 minutes or until heated through.

a photo of a two golden cooked chicken breasts sitting on a serving plate topped with sun-dried tomatoes and sitting in a rich sauce and surrounded by sliced lemons

This flavorful and healthy citrus Greek chicken recipe is easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner. With a zesty marinade and a hint of sweetness, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

More Delicious Chicken Dinner Recipes:

Citrus Greek Chicken

4.66 from 23 votes
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Marinating Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 22 minutes

Description

Simple marinated citrus Greek chicken with a two ingredient sauce. It's perfect all year round and you only need one skillet to make dinner in 30 minutes!

Ingredients 

  • 4 Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 1/3 Cup Olive Oil
  • 1/3 Cup Orange Juice
  • 1 Tablespoon McCormick Greek Seasoning, see note
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • Pinch Pepper
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, minced

For the Sauce

  • 3/4 Cup Oil Packed Sun-dried Tomatoes, drained
  • 1 Cup Orange Juice

Instructions

  • In a large ziploc bag, add the chicken, olive oil, orange juice, seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic.
    4 Chicken Breasts, 1/3 Cup Olive Oil, 1/3 Cup Orange Juice, 1 Tablespoon McCormick Greek Seasoning, 2 teaspoons Salt, Pinch Pepper, 2 Cloves Garlic
  • Seal and squish the bag all over to coat the chicken.
  • Refrigerate for 2 hours or up to overnight.
  • Heat a grill pan over high heat.
  • Add a drizzle of olive oil and add the chicken.
  • Quickly turn down to medium low and cook for 6-7 minutes.
  • Turn the chicken and cook an additional 6-7 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Remove from pan.
  • Add the sun-dried tomatoes and orange juice and allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes then pour the sauce over the top of the chicken or add the chicken to the pan.
    3/4 Cup Oil Packed Sun-dried Tomatoes, 1 Cup Orange Juice
  • Allow to rest for 2 minutes and serve.

Notes

If you cannot buy Greek seasoning, make your own: 1 Tablespoon Oregano, 2 Teaspoons Thyme, 2 Teaspoons Basil, 1 ½ Teaspoons Rosemary, 2 Teaspoons Dill, 2 ¼ Teaspoons Dried Parsley, 2 Teaspoons Onion Powder, 2 ½ Teaspoons Garlic Powder, 2 Teaspoons Salt, 1 Teaspoon Pepper, ½ Teaspoon Marjoram, ½ Teaspoon Cinnamon, and ¼ Teaspoon Nutmeg
Left overs can be kept in the refrigerator for 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken breastCalories: 510kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 50gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 1482mgPotassium: 1377mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 561IUVitamin C: 66mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 3mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: Mom’s Best 100 Easy Chicken Recipes

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a close up photo of cooked chicken breasts topped with sun-dried tomatoes and sitting in a sauce
a photo of two cooked chicken breasts topped with sun dried tomatoes and sitting in a simple sauce in a cast iron skillet
a photo of sun-dried tomatoes simmering in a cast iron skillet in orange juice
Simple marinated citrus Greek chicken with a two ingredient sauce. It's perfect all year round!

Marinated citrus greek chicken in a skillet with lemon slices