By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 30, 2024
Grilling chicken is a lifestyle, and these yogurt marinated chicken thighs are my latest obsession. I coat boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a delicious yogurt marinade with ginger, garlic, garam masala, and more for the juiciest grilled chicken thighs I’ve ever tasted! This is such a great recipe for Summer, and you know I’ll be by my grill all Summer long!
I think I tend to favor chicken breast for my best chicken recipes , but these yogurt marinated chicken thighs have completely changed my mind. They’re super easy to make– just mix the marinade, let the chicken sit in the refrigerator, grill, and done! Nothing complicated here, just plan for a bit of marinating time and you’re good to go. I’m so excited to be able to use the grill more often now that summer is here, so recipes like this are here to stay. Yum!
What’s in This Yogurt Marinated Chicken Recipe?
- Yogurt: Gently tenderizes the meat to create moist and delicious thighs! I used Stonyfield , but any plain whole-milk yogurt will work. I recommend avoiding lower-fat options, as they are not as flavorful.
- Olive Oil: Helps emulsify the marinade and keeps the chicken moist.
- Seasonings : Garam masala, ground ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper infuse these chicken thighs with rich Indian flavor.
- Garlic: I used garlic paste in this recipe to add a rich and savory flavor. Fresh garlic cloves also work well.
- Chicken: I recommend boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but this marinade works great for just about any cut of chicken!
Tips for Success
- Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours for the best flavor.
- Leave a thin layer of the yogurt marinade on the thighs while grilling for maximum flavor.
- Only flip the thighs once during cooking so they get those gorgeous grill marks!
- To bake in the oven instead, preheat your oven to 425°F, place the thighs on an oiled foil-lined baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until 165°F. Optionally broil at the end for a little extra color.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to redistribute the juices.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover yogurt marinated chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight before reheating in a pan set over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve these yogurt marinated chicken thighs with either jollof rice or basmati rice and naan bread to soak up all the sauce. Add some classic grilled vegetables and twice baked potatoes and you have a meal that is so delicious and simple!
5-Star Review
“Yummy and so easy to make!” -Melissa
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt
- ▢ 1 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢ 1 tablespoon garam masala
- ▢ 2 tablespoons garlic paste (or 3 tablespoons minced garlic)
- ▢ ½ tablespoon ground ginger
- ▢ 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ▢ 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Video
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except for the chicken in a large bowl and stir well to combine. 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt, 1 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon garam masala, 2 tablespoons garlic paste, ½ tablespoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add in the chicken thighs and toss to coat. Spoon the yogurt mixture over the chicken to make sure all is covered. 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.
- Coat the grates of a grill (or a grill pan) with oil. When ready to cook, heat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (375-450°F).
- Remove the chicken from the yogurt marinade, but do not pat dry. Grill each chicken thigh for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Becky’s Tips
- Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Yogurt Marinated Chicken Step by Step
Mix the Marinade: Combine 1 cup of plain whole milk yogurt, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of garam masala, 2 tablespoons of garlic paste (or 3 tablespoons of minced garlic), ½ tablespoon of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon of sea salt, and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper in a large bowl and stir well to combine.
Coat the Chicken: Add in 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs and toss to coat. Spoon the yogurt mixture over the chicken to make sure all is covered.
Marinate the Chicken: Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.
Heat the Grill: Coat the grates of a grill (or a grill pan) with oil. When ready to cook, heat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (375-450°F).
Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the yogurt marinade, but do not pat dry. Grill each chicken thigh for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
More Chicken Thigh Recipes to Try!
Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
Grilled Chicken Thighs (Chicken Thigh Seasoning)
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Grilled Yogurt Marinated Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 tablespoons garlic paste (or 3 tablespoons minced garlic)
- ½ tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except for the chicken in a large bowl and stir well to combine. 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt, 1 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon garam masala, 2 tablespoons garlic paste, ½ tablespoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add in the chicken thighs and toss to coat. Spoon the yogurt mixture over the chicken to make sure all is covered. 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.
- Coat the grates of a grill (or a grill pan) with oil. When ready to cook, heat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (375-450°F).
- Remove the chicken from the yogurt marinade, but do not pat dry. Grill each chicken thigh for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Video
Notes
- Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
