The most tender, flavorful, delicious chicken? This Yogurt Chicken is in the running! The easy chicken recipe is delicious on its own, shredded for kids, or added to pasta, rice, or another favorite meal. Plus, it stores well and can be served cold or warm.

yogurt chicken pieces on grey plate and also shredded

Yogurt Chicken

We love Baked Chicken Tenders and Chicken Nuggets, and I wanted to try to have another easy option in the rotation that wasn’t breaded. This version, which uses yogurt and pantry spices to make a quick marinade, is incredibly tender and perfect for shredding. That makes it a great chicken recipe for babies, toddlers, and really anyone who’s interested!

I usually make this recipe in the air fryer, but you can also bake it. It’s very flexible and quick to prepare.

Ingredients You Need

To make this chicken recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

ingredients for yogurt chicken on countertop
  • Chicken tenders: I love using chicken tenders here since they are thin and cook so fast, but you can also cut chicken breast into strips or use boneless chicken thighs.
  • Yogurt: Greek or regular plain whole-milk yogurt helps make the chicken super moist.
  • Spices: I use a mix of garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and salt to flavor the chicken.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Below is an overview of how to make this recipe. Scroll to the end of the post for the full information and recipe.

yogurt chicken step by step in grid of 4 images
  1. Add all of the ingredients to a wide pie plate or bowl.
  2. Stir to coat well. Cover and marinate.
  3. Preheat the air fryer or oven and add the chicken.
  4. Cook until just cooked through. Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled.

TIP: I usually don’t turn this over since it cooks so fast, but you can if you’d like to.

yogurt chicken after cooking in air fryer pan

Frequently Asked Questions

What does yogurt do for chicken?

Marinating chicken in yogurt helps the chicken stay very moist and very tender.

Should I rinse yogurt marinate off of chicken before cooking?

No, leave it on and cook the chicken as directed. The marinade will be absorbed into the chicken adding flavor and tenderness.

What kind of yogurt is best for this?

I prefer to use plain whole milk Greek yogurt. You can use regular style yogurt, too, if you prefer.

shredded yogurt chicken with tots on pink plate

What goes well with Yogurt Chicken?

We love to pair this recipe with one or two of the following:

How to Store

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled.

Best Tips for Success

  • Shred, slice, or dice for easy eating as needed.
  • Use plain whole-milk Greek or regular yogurt.
  • To make these with whole chicken breast, slice it into 1-inch strips and proceed with the recipe.
  • To make with chicken thighs, follow the recipe as written and increase the cooking time by 2-4 minutes, or cook until the chicken registers 160 degrees F with an instant-read meat thermometer.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment and rate it below!

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
yogurt chicken pieces on grey plate and also shredded

Yogurt Chicken (Baked or Air Fried)

The most tender, flavorful, delicious chicken? This Yogurt Chicken is in the running! The easy chicken recipe is delicious on its own, shredded for kids, or added to pasta, rice, or another favorite meal. Plus, it stores well and can be served cold or warm.
5 from 34 votes
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 43 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Dinner
Calories 140kcal
Servings 4 -6

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • ¼ cup plain regular or Greek yogurt (I use whole-milk yogurt)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
Save this recipe?
Enter your email to save this recipe in your inbox!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Instructions

  • Add the chicken, yogurt, and spices to a wide bowl. Mix with a fork to coat the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
  • To air-fry: Heat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Coat the tray with nonstick spray. When heated, add the chicken and cook for 8 minutes.
  • To bake in the oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet or pie plate with either nonstick spray or parchment paper. Place chicken onto the prepared pan and bake for 12-14 minutes or until cooked through.

Notes

  • Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled. Shred, slice, or dice for easy eating as needed.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Use plain whole-milk Greek or regular yogurt.
  • To make these with whole chicken breast, slice it into 1-inch strips and proceed with the recipe.
  • To make with chicken thighs, follow the recipe as written and increase the cooking time by 2-4 minutes, or cook until the chicken registers 160 degrees F with an instant read meat thermometer.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 427mg, Potassium: 449mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 0.4g, Vitamin A: 42IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

Related Products

Share it with the world

Pin

Filed Under

5 from 34 votes (23 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How many stars would you give this recipe?




All comments are subject to our Terms of Use.

Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is such a simple and delicious recipe. It is now part of my regular rotation as it satisfies my 7 year old and my husband (one is into plain foods and the other prefers tons of herbs/spices). Thank you, as always, for being so generous with your recipe shares.

  2. 5 stars
    Hi! This came our great! I’m now trying to eat a diet lower in saturated fat (per my dietician). Do you think non-fat Greek yogurt would work? Thanks!

  3. 5 stars
    So yummy and very easy. Made with regular yogurt instead of Greek. Everyone loved it from hubs to 2 year old. Thank you for making dinner so easy and yum!

  4. 5 stars
    I made this along with cheesy rice for my family and it was a hit! So simple and so yummy. In the words of my 3 year old….”This is deee-wicious!” Thank you for another amazing recipe!

  5. 5 stars
    Fantastic recipe, thank you! My 14mo twins are just graduating from whole foods to more interesting things and I’m so grateful for this site. My personal preference would be to cut the salt in half for this recipe. But my twins literally ate it faster than I could put pieces down!