Greek Marinade for Chicken & Fish

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This easy and delicious Mediterranean marinade is perfect for chicken or fish! I'll show you how to whip it up in just a few minutes for the most flavorful sauce or marinade.

If you like Greek food and Mediterranean flavors, try my Mediterranean Lentil Soup and One Pan Baked Mediterranean Orzo as well.

Greek marinade in a speckled bowl with a silver spoon.

My favorite simple marinade

I love making this marinade for white fish, like cod or halibut. It works best if you can let the fish or chicken rest for at least 30 minutes in it before cooking - even better if you can let them chill out overnight in the fridge together! While it does require a little chopping, I love how a few simple ingredients come together to make a magical sauce that adds a punch of flavor.

Greek Marinade Ingredients

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - olive oil forms the base of the marinade, so use a good quality oil!
Lemon Juice - the bright flavors of freshly squeezed lemon juice brighten up the marinade and help to tenderize the protein.
Fresh Garlic - several cloves of garlic add an essential pop of allium flavor.
Fresh Herbs - you'll finely chop both fresh thyme and oregano for this recipe, giving it classic Greek flavor. You can swap for dried herbs, but use fresh ones if at all possible for the best flavor!
Capers - adds wonderful briny flavor to the marinade.
Dijon Mustard - mustard does two things in a sauce - it helps to emulsify the oil and lemon juice into a thick sauce and it adds great flavor.
Salt & Pepper - a little s&p brings out the best in all the other ingredients.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Greek marinade ingredients on a marble background.

Greek Fish/Chicken Marinade FAQs

How long should my protein marinate?

At a minimum, fish or chicken should rest for 30 minutes in the marinade. If you can let your protein marinate overnight, that's even better!

Can I leave out the mustard or swap it?

You can substitute for a different kind of mustard, but the mustard is essential for bringing the oil and lemon juice together.

Can I use dried herbs?

You can, but you'll need at least 2 tablespoons of dried thyme and 2 tablespoons of dried oregano to replace the fresh herbs.

Greek marinade on white fish in a baking dish.

If you try this easy Mediterranean marinade recipe, leave a comment and a star rating below!

Greek Fish or Chicken Marinade

This wonderful tangy Greek marinade is perfect for chicken breasts or white fish! Ready in just a few minutes this magical sauce packs serious flavor.

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Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

Servings: serving (⅓ cup)

Author: Emily Wilson

Ingredients

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon
3 garlic cloves finely grated or minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon chopped capers
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, thyme, capers, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper. Whisk until slightly emulsified.
Place chicken (or fish) in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour over the marinade and coat evenly. For chicken, marinate at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours. For fish, marinate for 20 to 30 minutes.

Cooking Times

Grill: Medium-high heat until lightly charred and cooked through. About 5 to 7 minutes per side for chicken breasts and 3 to 4 minutes for fish.
Bake: 400°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes for chicken and 10 to 12 minutes for fish.
Pan-sear: Medium high heat in a heavy pan for about 5 to 7 minutes per side for chicken breasts and 3 to 4 minutes for fish.