This chimichurri chicken recipe is a simple and easy meal loaded with flavor! The juicy pieces of grilled meat pair nicely with the delicious tangy herb sauce.
Recipe Science
- Seasoning the chicken first with a thin layer of salt acts as a dry brine, retaining more moisture on the grill.
- The acetic acid from the red wine vinegar in the sauce helps to tenderize the chicken while marinating.
- Drying the moisture from the meat’s surface before grilling yields better golden sear marks.
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“I have used chimichurri on beef and lamb but never chicken. Wish I hadn’t waited so long. Delicious. I used boneless, skinless thighs and since I no longer have access to an outdoor grill, I used a cast iron grill pan on the stove. Worked fine.”—Michael
Why It Works
Are you looking to spice up your weeknight chicken dinner? Making a homemade Argentinian chimichurri recipe only takes five minutes. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s a flavor game-changer! I use the condiment for two critical roles: a marinade and an herb vinegar topping.
Before the chicken hits the grill, marinate it for 30 minutes. Having the extra sauce ready to drizzle or dip is also nice. What’s great about this recipe is that since the barbecue is fired up, you can toss vegetables like zucchini, corn on the cob, or portobellos for a complete meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken: For a lean protein option, use boneless, skinless chicken breast. The meat stays juicer when soaked in the marinade. Look for about 8-ounce pieces for quick cooking without drying out. If they are thicker than 1 inch, slice them in half into cutlets.
- Herbs: Use equal parts of parsley and cilantro for a mild taste.
- Olive Oil: Use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil. It adds a fruity taste to the sauce.
- Vinegar: Fermented red wine vinegar is traditionally used for its oaky taste and pungency.
- Seasoning: A savory combination of earthy cumin and red pepper flakes for heat, salt, and pepper. Fresh garlic adds a sharp bite that mellows when mixed with the vinegar.
See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).
Ingredient Substitutions
It’s simple to swap out ingredients for the chimichurri chicken recipe. Try these delicious options:
- Chicken: If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs or drumsticks also work well. Adjust the time as needed. Bone-in and skin-on pieces need more cooking time.
- Herbs: If you’re not a fan of cilantro, use all parsley for the sauce.
- Vinegar: Sherry vinegar is the best replacement. Other types of vinegar, like champagne, white wine, or apple cider, will work.
- Peppers: Add a pinch of cayenne, chili, or chipotle powder instead of red pepper flakes.
How to Make Chimichurri Chicken
Step 1: Season the Chicken
The chicken is seasoned with salt and black pepper. I like to do this step first because it allows the salt to dissolve while preparing the sauce. It also restructures the proteins, helping them to retain moisture while cooking. The extra time allows it to evenly and rapidly add a savory flavor to the surface.
Step 2: Make the Chimichurri Sauce
If you haven’t tried this uncooked Argentinian sauce, you are in for a treat! I love to pair a New York strip with chimichurri sauce. You can make green chimichurri with fresh parsley, cilantro, cumin, salt, garlic, red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, and red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. All you must do is add everything except the fat to a blender for a food processor.
The blades quickly break down the herbs and emulsify the oil into the sauce. I like the texture to be chunkier, with some visible pieces of green, or you can process it until it is very smooth. Double the recipe if you want more than ½ cup of sauce for serving.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
The small amount of acid from the red wine vinegar and salt in the sauce helps season and tenderize the chicken. I use just enough to coat the pieces, about ¼ cup. They don’t need to be drenched.
Ingredient Chemistry: Soak the chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to an hour before cooking. When grilled, the pieces will have a nice herb crust.
Step 4: Dry the Chicken
Lightly dry the surface of the meat with a paper towel to wick up excess moisture before barbecuing. This technique makes achieving a golden brown sear easier and prevents flare-ups.
Step 5: Preheat the Grill
It’s important to preheat the barbeque before grilling the chicken. Heat between 400 to 425ºF (204 to 218ºC), leaving one burner off for indirect cooking. Clean the grates and grease them with paper towels to prevent the meat from sticking.
Step 6: Grill the Chicken
The marinated chicken cooks over medium-high heat for 5 to 8 minutes on both sides. I look for the meat to have dark char marks and be cooked about 50% before flipping.
Pro Tip: If using a gas grill or charcoal set-up, have a lower temperature indirect heat side. Transfer the meat to this area if you need to finish cooking more gently.
Step 7: Rest the Meat
The chicken breast is fully cooked when it is no longer pink and turns opaque. Use an instant-read thermometer and probe the thickest part of the meat.
Tips for Perfect Execution: Target between 160 and 165ºF (71 to 74ºF). For thighs, target 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77oF) because they have more fat and connective tissues. Cover and let the meat rest for 10 minutes to allow for carryover cooking before slicing and serving.
Step 8: Serve the Chimichurri Chicken
You’ll be thankful that you have some reserved sauce on the side. It’s herbaceous, tangy, and garlicky—perfect for pairing with the smoky grilled pieces. I like to serve chimichurri chicken with grilled zucchini, mushrooms, or corn on the cob. My guests always rave about the meal when served with my couscous salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some cooks don’t like cilantro. Substitute the cilantro portion in the sauce with parsley. Add basil if you want an anise note.
Sherry vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and white wine vinegar are suitable substitutes. The vinegar’s acetic acid should impart a mild spice, with some aged flavor notes from the starting ingredient.
Yes! You don’t need to fire up the barbecue, but it does add a nice smoky flavor to the meat. You can use a grill pan, cast iron skillet, or nonstick pan to cook chicken on the stove—Cook in hot olive oil over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes per side.
More Grilled Favorites
If you tried this Chimichurri Chicken, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Chimichurri Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, 4 pieces
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cilantro leaves, firmly packed
- 1 cup flat leaf parsley, firmly packed
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons garlic, roughly chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
Instructions
- Season the Chicken – Evenly season both sides with 1 ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to marinate.
- Make the Chimichurri Sauce – Using a countertop blender or food processor, add the cilantro, parsley, red wine vinegar, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, cumin, and crushed red pepper. Process for 20 seconds to break down the leaves, stopping to scrape the sides of the cup as needed.With the machine running on low speed, slowly add the olive oil in a thin steady stream in the lid or feed tube opening. Cover and process on medium-high speed until the sauce is slightly thickened, with small herb pieces, about 30 to 45 seconds. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Marinate the Chicken – Add the chicken to a baking dish or large resealable plastic bag. Add ¼ cup of the chimichurri sauce, and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate. Press out the excess air if using a plastic bag. Marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 60 minutes. Reserve and refrigerate the remaining unused sauce for serving.
- Dry the Chicken – Before grilling, use paper towels to pat dry the surface to remove excess moisture.
- Preheat the Grill – Preheat the grill over medium-high heat between 400 to 425ºF (204 to 218ºC). Keep one burner off for indirect heat cooking. Clean and carefully grease the grates with the oil. Alternatively, you can use a grill pan.
- Grill the Chicken – Place the chicken on the direct heat side of the grill and close the lid. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 160 to 165ºF (71 to 74ºC) on a thermometer, about 5 to 8 minutes per side, depending on thickness. If browning too quickly, move to the indirect heat side to complete cooking.
- Rest the Meat – Cover and rest the chicken for 10 minutes, then cut into ¼-inch thick slices against the grain.
- Serve – Serve with the reserved chimichurri sauce.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Sauce Yield: About ¾ cup
- Extra Sauce: Double the chimichurri recipe
- Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Cover and microwave the chicken on high heat in 15 to 30-second increments until hot.
- Making the Sauce without a Blender/Processor: Using a chef’s knife, finely chop the cilantro, parsley, and garlic. Whisk together the cilantro, parsley, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, cumin, and crushed red pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly add the olive oil, vigorously whisking until slightly thickened.
- Cooking Chicken Thighs: Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77ºC), about 25 to 30 minutes for bone-in and 10 to 15 minutes for boneless.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Recipe Resources
Michael says
I have used chimichurri on beef and lamb but never chicken. Wish I hadn’t waited so long. Delicious. I used boneless, skinless thighs and since I no longer have access to an outdoor grill, I used a cast iron grill pan on the stove. Worked fine. Thanks for posting this great recipe .
Jessica Gavin says
You’re welcome, Michael!