Kotopoulo sti Schara — Greek Grilled Chicken with Lemon

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Palace of Knossos

📍 Where this dish comes from: Crete · Palace of Knossos
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Kotopoulo sti Schara — Greek Grilled Chicken with Lemon, plated and ready to serve

At its simplest and most perfect, Greek grilled chicken is nothing more than this: chicken marinated generously in lemon, olive oil, garlic, and oregano, then grilled over high heat until the skin is blistered and crispy and the inside is impossibly juicy. It is the backbone of a thousand Greek family meals and one of the best simple chicken recipes in the world.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients for Kotopoulo sti Schara — Greek Grilled Chicken with Lemon

Kotopoulo sti Schara — Greek Grilled Chicken with Lemon

At its simplest and most perfect, Greek grilled chicken is nothing more than this: chicken marinated generously in lemon, olive oil, garlic, and oregano, then grilled over high heat until the skin is blistered and crispy and the inside is impossibly juicy.
Print Recipe
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 430kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and 4 drumsticks (or spatchcock a whole chicken)
  • 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • Juice and zest of 1.5 lemons
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1.5 tbsp dried Greek oregano
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and cracked black pepper
  • Fresh lemon wedges and fresh oregano to serve

Instructions

  • Score chicken pieces 2-3 times to the bone — this helps marinade penetrate and ensures even cooking.
  • Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Massage marinade thoroughly into chicken, including under skin. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  • Bring chicken to room temperature 30 minutes before grilling.
  • Grill skin-side down on medium-high 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook another 10-12 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F (74C) and skin is deep golden and crispy.
  • Rest 5 minutes. Squeeze fresh lemon over and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 2pieces | Calories: 430kcal | Protein: 36g | Fat: 30g | Fiber: 0.5g
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Cooking Kotopoulo sti Schara — Greek Grilled Chicken with Lemon in the kitchen

Health Benefits

  • Chicken thighs provide more iron, zinc, and B vitamins than white meat, with a superior fat profile for sustained energy on keto.
  • The skin contributes collagen and additional saturated and monounsaturated fat.
  • Lemon’s acidity creates a mild brine effect during marinating, helping retain moisture during high-heat grilling.

Pairs Well With

  • Classic Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
  • Spanakorizo — Keto Spinach Rice
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