How Many Calories Are in Greek Style Chicken? A Comprehensive Guide

January 12, 2026 •

5 min read

A simple serving of grilled Greek marinated chicken breast can contain as few as 212 calories, but the total number for your meal depends heavily on the recipe and preparation. The answer to the question of how many calories are in Greek style chicken is not a single number, as it varies widely based on the cut of chicken, the cooking method, and the specific ingredients used, especially for marinades and accompaniments.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for Greek chicken fluctuates widely depending on preparation, from simple grilled breast to elaborate platters. Factors like the choice of chicken cut, cooking method, marinade ingredients, and accompanying side dishes all influence the final nutritional value. Understanding these variables is key for accurate calorie tracking and meal planning.

Key Points

Variable Calories: The calorie count for Greek chicken is not fixed, ranging from around 200 to over 500 depending on preparation and portion.
Leaner Cut, Fewer Calories: Opting for boneless, skinless chicken breast instead of thighs significantly reduces fat and calories.
Cooking Method Matters: Grilling and baking are the lowest-calorie cooking methods, while frying adds a substantial amount of fat.
Marinade and Sides Impact: High-fat marinades, creamy sauces, and starchy sides like rice or pita bread can drastically increase the total calorie count.
Portion Control is Key: Accurately measuring your serving sizes, especially for toppings and sides, is crucial for managing overall calorie intake.
Homemade vs. Restaurant: Restaurant portions and recipes, particularly for salads, often contain more calories due to larger sizes and more dressing.

The Core Components of Greek Chicken

Greek-style chicken is celebrated for its zesty, savory flavor profile, typically derived from a marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, herbs like oregano and thyme, and garlic. However, the calorie content is far from uniform. It's an aggregate of several key components, and understanding their individual contributions is the first step toward accurately assessing your meal.

Factors That Influence Greek Chicken Calories

The final calorie count of your Greek chicken dish is a sum of several variables. Controlling these factors is the best way to manage the nutritional impact of your meal.

The Role of Chicken Cut

The choice between white and dark meat is a primary determinant of calorie and fat content. Chicken breast is naturally leaner, while thighs are darker, juicier, and higher in both fat and calories. For example, a 100-gram serving of skinless, boneless cooked chicken breast has approximately 165 calories, whereas a similarly prepared thigh has around 209 calories. Leaving the skin on either cut will also significantly increase the total calories from fat.

Cooking Method Matters

How you cook the chicken has a major impact on its final calorie count. Lean cooking methods are key for a lighter meal:

Grilling or baking: These methods require minimal added oil and are the best options for keeping calories low.
Pan-frying: Depending on the amount of oil used, this method can add a moderate amount of extra fat and calories.
Deep-frying: This process, while not traditionally Greek, adds a large number of calories and should be avoided if you are watching your intake.

Marinade and Sauce Ingredients

The marinade is where many extra calories can hide. While basic lemon and herbs are low in calories, the additions change things dramatically:

Oil: Olive oil is healthy but calorie-dense. A typical recipe may call for 1/3 cup of olive oil, which adds a significant number of calories to the batch. However, much of this oil remains in the marinade and does not get consumed.
Yogurt: Some Greek marinades use yogurt to tenderize the chicken. Full-fat Greek yogurt adds more calories than a non-fat variety. For example, a non-fat Greek yogurt marinade can help create a flavorful, lower-calorie meal prep bowl.
Honey or Sugar: Recipes that include honey or sugar will have a higher carbohydrate and calorie count.

Accompaniments and Side Dishes

The items served alongside Greek chicken can easily double or triple the calories of the entire meal. Simple sides keep the calorie count in check, while heavy additions can make it a much more indulgent dish.

Low-Calorie Sides: Fresh salads with light vinaigrette, roasted vegetables, or a small serving of cauliflower rice are excellent, low-calorie pairings.
High-Calorie Additions: Pita bread, large servings of rice, and creamy, high-fat sauces like tzatziki (depending on the recipe) can quickly drive up the total.

Comparison of Greek Chicken Dishes

To better illustrate the calorie variation, here is a comparison table of several popular Greek chicken dishes based on typical recipes and preparations.


Greek Chicken Dish	Calories per Serving (approx.)	Typical Serving Size	Key Calorie Factors
Grilled Greek Chicken Breast (simple marinade)	212-300 kcal	4 oz cooked	Lean protein, minimal oil in marinade.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers	191 kcal	1 skewer	Lean chicken, grilled, portion control.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Platter with Rice	530 kcal	1 platter	Added rice, larger portion, sometimes higher-fat toppings.
Greek Chicken Salad (restaurant)	550 kcal	Large bowl	Feta cheese, oily dressing, and often larger portion size.
Low-Calorie Greek Chicken Meal Prep	308 kcal	3 cups	Cauliflower rice substitute, light sauce, controlled portion.

Popular Greek Chicken Variations and Their Nutrition

Greek Chicken Souvlaki

Souvlaki is a perfect example of how preparation affects calories. A simple skewer of marinated, grilled chicken is a very lean and healthy choice, sometimes containing under 200 calories per skewer. However, when served as a full platter with rice, pita bread, and a generous dollop of tzatziki, the calorie count can rise dramatically, often exceeding 500 calories for the entire meal. For a lighter option, opt for the skewers on their own or with a side salad instead of rice and pita.

Greek Chicken Salads

Greek salads with chicken are often perceived as a healthy lunch, but restaurant versions can be surprisingly high in calories. The culprits are typically the dressing, generous amounts of feta cheese, and portion size. A homemade version with a light olive oil and lemon vinaigrette, lean chicken breast, and a moderate amount of feta is a much lower-calorie alternative. A restaurant salad could contain 550 calories or more, while a well-controlled homemade one might be closer to 350 calories.

How to Reduce Calories in Greek-Style Chicken

For those looking to enjoy the delicious flavors of Greek chicken while minimizing calories, here are some actionable tips:

Choose a leaner cut: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breast over thighs to immediately save calories and fat.
Use a light marinade: Create a simple marinade with lemon juice, fresh herbs, and minimal olive oil, or use a yogurt-based marinade with non-fat Greek yogurt.
Grill or bake your chicken: These cooking methods add very little to the overall calorie count compared to pan-frying with lots of oil.
Control portion sizes: Use a food scale to portion your chicken and sides accurately. A 4oz serving of chicken is a good target.
Swap side dishes: Replace calorie-dense rice with a lower-calorie alternative like cauliflower rice or a large Greek salad with light dressing.
Measure sauces and toppings: Be mindful of toppings like tzatziki and feta cheese. A little goes a long way in terms of flavor and calories.

Conclusion

The calories in Greek style chicken are highly variable and depend on several key factors, including the chicken cut, cooking method, marinade, and side dishes. A simple, grilled chicken breast marinated in lemon and herbs is a lean, high-protein meal, while restaurant platters or salads can be surprisingly calorie-dense due to added fats and accompaniments. By making conscious choices about your ingredients and preparation, you can enjoy this flavorful Mediterranean dish as part of a healthy, balanced diet. The key is to be mindful of the entire meal composition, not just the chicken itself. For more general information on chicken nutrition, see Healthline's guide to chicken calories.

Frequently Asked Questions

A homemade serving of Greek chicken breast (around 4oz or 113g), prepared with a basic lemon and herb marinade and grilled or baked, can contain approximately 212 to 300 calories.

Using non-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt can help control calories while adding flavor and moisture. A full-fat yogurt marinade will add more calories, but it will still be a healthier choice than many creamy sauces.

Restaurant Greek chicken salads often have high calorie counts due to large portions, heavy dressings, and generous amounts of full-fat feta cheese. A Panera Greek salad with chicken, for example, lists 550 calories.

To reduce calories, use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice, measure your portion of chicken, and use a light sauce. Some recipes show a meal prep version with cauliflower rice that is around 308 calories per 3-cup serving.

A single, plain grilled Greek chicken souvlaki skewer can be a very low-calorie option, around 191 calories. However, a souvlaki platter with rice, pita, and sauces can easily exceed 500 calories.

Chicken breast is significantly leaner, with cooked skinless breast containing about 165 calories per 100 grams. A cooked skinless thigh contains more fat and about 209 calories per 100 grams.

Grilling or baking the chicken keeps the calorie count lower by minimizing added fat. Frying, especially with batter or skin, significantly increases calories, while boiling or steaming is also low-calorie but less traditional.