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Grilled chicken breasts topped with fresh green chimichurri sauce on a white platter.
Linda

Chimichurri Chicken

Juicy grilled chicken topped with vibrant, herb-packed chimichurri that transforms simple weeknight dinner into something restaurant-worthy.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Argentine, Latin American
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Chimichurri
  • 1 cup fresh parsley packed, roughly chopped
  • 0.5 cup fresh cilantro packed, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 0.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes or more to taste
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt

Equipment

  • Grill or Grill Pan
  • Food Processor or Blender
  • Instant-Read Thermometer

Method
 

Make the Chimichurri
  1. In a food processor, combine parsley, cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt. Pulse until finely chopped, about 8 to 10 pulses. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil through the feed tube until the sauce is emulsified but still slightly chunky. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. The sauce will taste sharp now but mellows as it sits.
Prep and Grill the Chicken
  1. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for good browning. Brush both sides with the 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high, about 400 to 450 degrees F. The grates should be hot enough that you can only hold your hand 5 inches above for 2 to 3 seconds.
  3. Place the chicken on the grill and cook without moving for 5 to 6 minutes until release marks appear and the chicken releases easily. Flip and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest part, about 5 to 7 minutes more for thighs, or 6 to 8 minutes for breasts. Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
Serve
  1. Slice the chicken against the grain into 1/2-inch strips. Arrange on a platter and spoon about half the chimichurri over the top. Serve the remaining sauce on the side for guests to add as they like.

Notes

Chimichurri is best made 30 minutes to 2 hours ahead so the flavors meld. It keeps refrigerated for 3 days, though the color will darken. For a milder garlic flavor, roast the cloves in their skins for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F before blending. This pairs beautifully with grilled bread or roasted potatoes to soak up extra sauce.