Greek Lemon Mint Marinade – Spicy Southern Kitchen

Greek Lemon Mint Marinade is the perfect summer marinade, producing juicy. tender meat with tons of herb flavor.

I love to grill all summer long and this is the perfect marinade to turn boring chicken into a flavorful chicken dinner that you will want to put on repeat. The lemon-base of this marinade gives the chicken a tangy, citrusy flavor and the mint makes it taste like summer.

Marinate for a few hours and then place on the grill.

This marinade can be used for chicken breasts or chicken thighs. It also works well with pork tenderloin.

Use Fresh Mint

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow and if you live in as warm a climate as I do in coastal South Carolina, you can leave your pot of mint outside all year long and it will come back year after year. All it needs is a little water. It is very drought-tolerant.

Additional Herbs

In addition to mint, I also like to use fresh rosemary and thyme for flavor so that the marinade is absolutely packed with herb flavor. I also grow rosemary in my garden so it’s easy to go outside and snip a little.

How Long To Marinate

For best flavor, marinate chicken for 2 to 4 hours. This allows time for the chicken to soak up the flavors.

Don’t Marinate Too Long

The acidity in the lemon can change the texture of the chicken over time making it mushy. Over 6 hours is probably too long.

Recipe Tip

For food that is going to be cooked over fairly high heat, you want to use regular olive oil, NOT Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. Regular olive oil has a higher smoke point.

Make Ahead

You can make the marinade a day in advance and refrigerate until needed.

How To Serve

This chicken is great as is and even better drizzled with a little tzatziki sauce and served with pita bread. And of course a Greek Salad is a great accompaniment. I also like it serve with Orange Rice, Corn on the Coband Marinated Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad.