Description
Chimichurri Chicken brings zesty Argentine flavors straight to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. Herbal, tangy sauce coating juicy grilled chicken creates a simple weeknight meal that delivers serious flavor without complicated steps.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
Supporting Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 cup flat-leaf parsley
- 4 garlic cloves
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Liquid and Oil:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 ½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Generously coat 2 lbs of chicken thighs with ½ tsp sea salt, ensuring both sides are seasoned evenly. Allow the meat to absorb the salt while preparing the sauce.
- Create the vibrant chimichurri by mixing 1 cup finely chopped parsley, 4 minced garlic cloves, ⅓ cup olive oil, 2 ½ Tbsp red wine vinegar, ½ tsp oregano, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes in a bowl.
- Separate 2-3 spoonfuls of the chimichurri sauce into a small dish, setting it aside for the final serving drizzle.
- Coat the chicken thighs thoroughly with the remaining chimichurri, massaging the herbs and spices into the meat. Let the chicken marinate for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat a grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Place the marinated chicken thighs on the hot surface and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side.
- Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, with a golden-brown exterior and no pink in the center.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 minutes, which helps redistribute the juices.
- Slice the chicken and drizzle the reserved chimichurri sauce over the top just before serving.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for even 10 minutes allows the chimichurri’s bold flavors to penetrate deeply, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Let the chicken rest after grilling to help redistribute the juices, ensuring each bite stays tender and succulent.
- For a gluten-free version, double-check that all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially if using pre-made spice blends.
- If you don’t have a grill pan, a cast-iron skillet works perfectly for achieving that beautiful golden-brown exterior on the chicken thighs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Argentinian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 6
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg