Juicy Lemon Pepper Yogurt Chicken

5 from 2 votes

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Juicy Lemon Pepper Yogurt Chicken. Thank you for the 17 million + on my yogurt chicken recipes that seem to be a huge hit with everyone. Although yogurt is not a secret ingredient to me or other cultures like India, Middle East, and certain European countries, it is a secret ingredient to a lot of other people around the world. My family and I have been cooking and tenderizing meat with yogurt for generations and it’s by far my favourite way. On my last few viral videos I was asked if you can make it in the air-fryer so I created this new recipe and video for you all. Please keep in mind that you can absolutely bake it in the oven instead at 400F for 45-60 minutes uncovered but be sure to put it on broil for a few minutes at the end to crisp up the skin. If you are unsure and always skeptical or nervous about knowing when chicken the chicken is fully cooked, please use an instant read thermometer. Leg and thigh meat is still safe at 165°F, but it is recommended to cook it to an internal temperature of about 170-175°F (77-79°C). Technically, you don’t have to wait at all but the longer you let it rest, the juicier and more tender it will be. For best results I recommend covered in the fridge overnight.

Juicy Lemon Pepper Yogurt Chicken

Juiciest Lemon Pepper Chicken. Although yogurt is not a secret ingredient to me or other cultures like India, Middle East, and certain European countries, it is a secret ingredient to a lot of other people around the world. My family and I have been cooking and tenderizing meat with yogurt for generations and it’s by far my favourite way. On my last few viral videos I was asked if you can make it in the air-fryer so I created this new recipe and video for you all.
5 from 2 votes
Servings: 2
Author: The Modern Nonna
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 6 bone in, skin on, chicken thighs — or boneless, any cut of chicken will work
  • salt to taste
  • lemon pepper to taste — 1/2-1 tablespoon depending on how you like it
  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 2 heaping tablespoons plain yogurt — I use Balkan-Style but Greek or any you like works
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil — any oil you like

Instructions 

  • Add the chicken to a bowl, add the rest of the ingredients and massage it really well with clean hands.
  • Cover it and let it sit and marinate on the counter for one hour or in the fridge overnight.
  • Transfer it into the air-fryer and air-fry at 380F for 15-20 minutes.
  • The cook time will depend on the size of the chicken but you can always insert an instant read thermometer to be sure. Feel free to bake the chicken instead at 400F for 45-60 minutes + a few minutes on BROIL at the end to crisp up the skin.
  • Enjoy with salad, mashed potatoes, on wraps, with rice, or with any side you like.

Video

Notes

If you don’t have lemon pepper feel free to use black pepper and some lemon zest instead. Any cut of chicken will work and I will link my air-fryer here.
Please look at the back of your air fryer manual for the cook and temperature time as each air-fryer could vary.
I cooked mine at 380F for 15-20 minutes until it was crispy and reached the proper internal temperature. Sour cream or mayo will also work instead of yogurt.
 
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Hi! I'm Sneji. Nice to meet you!

I am more commonly known as “The Modern Nonna” on social media where I create easy home cooked meals with a modern twist. I was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria and learned how to cook at the best culinary school in the world – my grandma’s kitchen. I lived in Greece on the Island of Crete with my parents for a while and then moved to Toronto, Canada when I was in grade 5. I started to really cook and experiment with food 11 years ago when I was 21 years old. Everything I currently know is a reflection of some part of my life…

Keep up to date with me on social media! Follow @themodernnonna

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this with boneless skinless chicken thighs in the oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Came out juicy and the taste was great. Will definitely have to try the original recipe one day in the air fryer with the skin on!

  2. Planning on making this tonight. I’m going to cook in the oven in a cast iron skillet. Would the yogurt burn if I sear the thighs skin down before putting them in the oven?

    1. The yogurt may burn that way I would suggest putting them on broil at the end to crisp up the skin