Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Plate with Garlic Herb Yogurt & Tomato Salad
This plate brings together juicy grilled chicken marinated in lemon, garlic, and herbs, paired with a cooling garlic-herb yogurt sauce and a refreshing tomato salad. It’s light yet satisfying, Mediterranean-style eating at its best. Serve with pita bread, couscous, or rice for a complete meal.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Marinating time: 30 min–2 hours
Cook time: 15–20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings:4
Ingredients
For the grilled chicken:
500g (1 lb) boneless chicken thighs or breasts
3 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the garlic herb yogurt:
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
2 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt & pepper to taste
For the tomato salad:
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (or any ripe tomatoes, chopped)
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar (or lemon juice)
1 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional sides for plating:
Warm pita or flatbread
Rice, couscous, or bulgur wheat
Cucumber slices or olives
Instructions
Marinate the chicken:
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours).
Make the garlic herb yogurt:
Mix Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, dill/parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
Prepare the tomato salad:
Toss tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, vinegar/lemon juice, parsley/basil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Grill the chicken:
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high.
Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until charred and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
Assemble the plate:
Place grilled chicken slices on the plate.
Add a generous spoonful of garlic herb yogurt.
Serve with tomato salad, pita, and your choice of grain or veggies.
Notes & Tips
Use chicken thighs for juicier results, but breasts work well too.
Add cucumber to the salad for a Greek-style twist.
For extra flavor, sprinkle chicken with sumac or za’atar before grilling.
Can be turned into wraps by stuffing chicken, yogurt, and salad into pita bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I cook the chicken without a grill?
Yes—use a cast iron skillet or bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20–25 minutes.
Q: Can I meal prep this?
Definitely—store chicken, yogurt sauce, and salad separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Q: Can I make the yogurt sauce vegan?
Yes—swap Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt or a plant-based yogurt alternative.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~380 kcal
Protein: 35g
Fat: 21g
Carbs: 8g
Fiber: 2g