Have you ever tried Greek chicken chops? Bone-in chicken pieces, rubbed in a smoky paprika-and-herb marinade, then roasted until the skin turns deep golden and slightly charred at the edges. It’s a weeknight dinner that tastes like it took way more effort than it did. Serve it alongside whipped feta cheese, marinated olives, and roasted gigantes beans for a full Greek spread that works for a casual family dinner or a table full of guests.

If you love these Greek Chicken Chops, you will also love this Za’atar Lemon Chicken Orzo, Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Rice, or Classic Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes!

Sheet pan of Greek chicken chops garnished with fresh oregano and lemon

Overview

A chicken cut into chicken chops on a black cutting board.

What are chicken chops?

In Greece, it is common for butchers to break down a whole chicken into pieces, such as the leg, thigh, and breast. These pieces are then cut into smaller portions using a heavy cleaver, resulting in what is known as “kotopoulo paidakia” or chicken chops. Cooking these chops with the bone results in more flavorful meat.

Why you will love chicken chops

These Greek chicken chops deliver big, bold flavor for almost no effort.
A simple marinade — smoked paprika, dried oregano and thyme, garlic powder, extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt — coats every piece. Let it sit longer and the flavor gets even better, but even a quick 30-minute marinate before roasting gives you juicy, well-seasoned chicken with a beautifully charred finish.
Bonus: this same marinade works just as well on wings, drumsticks, or a whole chicken, so once you’ve made it, you’ve got a go-to for any cut you have on hand.

Here is what you need

Close up of a plate with a whole chicken cut in chops on a cutting board.

A whole chicken cut into chops. You can get a whole chicken, break it down, and cut it in chops yourself, or ask your butcher to do it for you (that’s what I do).

A bowl with dried oregano, thyme, sea salt, garlic powder and smoked paprika.

The seasoning is simple. Dried oregano, dried thyme, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and sea salt.

How to make Greek chicken chops

Add all the marinade ingredients to a bowl, mix well, and add the chicken pieces. Rub the marinade all over the chicken.
Marinate for 30 minutes to 24 hours, refrigerated.

Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the chops in a single layer.
Roast chicken chops for 45 minutes. Halfway turn chops to the other side. Use the broiler to develop nice char on the chops for the last minutes of cooking. Always make sure the chicken is fully cooked, and juices run clear.
Serve with a sprinkle of chili flakes (optional) and plenty of lemon wedges around the table.

Overhead shot of Greek chicken chops with fresh basil, lemon, and whipped feta

What to serve with Greek chicken chops

Greek chicken chops make a flavorful, hearty meal; several sides pair beautifully with them. Some great options include a simple Greek salad with feta cheese and olives, roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers, or a side of tzatziki sauce for dipping. You could also serve the chicken chops with fried crispy or roasted lemon potatoes and pita bread for a filling and satisfying meal.

Greek chicken chops on a baking sheet with lemon wedges and whipped feta dip

FAQ

A chicken chop is a piece of chicken — usually leg, thigh, or breast — cut into smaller portions with the bone still in, rather than left as one large piece. Cooking with the bone in keeps the meat juicier and adds flavor during roasting.

In Greek kitchens, butchers break a whole chicken down into pieces and then chop those pieces further with a cleaver — this is called kotopoulo paidakia. It’s a traditional way to portion chicken for grilling or roasting so every piece cooks evenly and picks up more char.

Chicken chops usually come from the leg and thigh, sometimes the breast, cut crosswise through the bone into smaller pieces — similar in spirit to how a butcher would portion lamb or pork chops, just applied to chicken.

Not exactly. A chicken thigh is a single whole cut. A chicken chop can be made from a thigh (or leg or breast) but refers to that piece being further chopped into smaller bone-in portions.

Greek Chicken Chops

by Jenny Skrapaliori Graves

Greek chicken chops are delicious, flavorful cuts of whole chicken marinated in olive oil, paprika, garlic, and herbs such as oregano and thyme.

5 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 45

Marinate 1

Course Main Course

Cuisine Greek

Servings 6

Calories 312 kcal

Equipment

baking sheet

Ingredients

▢ 4 lb chicken, cut into chops

For the chicken marinade

For serving

▢ lemon wedges
▢ chili flakes

Instructions

Add the marinade ingredients to a bowl, mix well, and add the chicken pieces. Rub the marinade all over the chicken.
Marinate for 30 minutes to 24 hours, refrigerated.
Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roast chicken chops for 45 minutes. Halfway turn chops to the other side.
Use the broiler to develop nice char on the chops for the last minutes of cooking.
Necessary: Make sure the chicken is fully cooked and juices run clear.

Notes

Nutritional Info – Please remember that the nutritional information provided is only estimated and can vary based on the products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 312kcalProtein: 27gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 102mgPotassium: 274mgVitamin A: 203IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg

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