Grilled Chimichurri Chicken

There are many reasons we look forward to grilling season, and this chimichurri chicken recipe is one of them! It's juicy charred chicken thighs served with an authentic Argentinian chimichurri sauce.

Chimichurri is one of our favorite condiments to make because it's versatile, easy to make, and adds bright complexity to both meat and veggies.

Many recipes recommend marinating the chicken in the chimichurri, but we've found the parsley burns on the grill so it needs to be brushed off before cooking. In this version, the chicken gets lots of flavor from the grill, then we toss it in the chimichurri sauce at the end which keeps the flavors fresh and bright.

Chimichurri chicken is a quick and juicy chicken recipe that's perfect for weeknights, summer BBQs, and outdoor gatherings of all kinds. Leftover chimichurri sauce tastes great in a wrap or drizzled over grilled veggies.

What is chimichurri chicken?

Chimichurri is a classic Argentinian condiment typically made from olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, red wine vinegar, and red pepper flakes. It's a vibrant herb-infused oil that can be brushed on during cooking or served on the side. It's tangy and herbal and brings chicken, meats, and veggies to life!

Chimichurri chicken is simply tender grilled chicken thighs tossed with this incredible homemade green sauce!

How to make chimichurri chicken

Chicken with chimichurri is a quick main for weeknights or anytime you feel like an easy and super delicious chicken dish. Here's how we make it in a couple of simple steps:

1. Toss your chicken with oil and season it with salt and pepper.
2. Cook your chicken on a hot grill until it's fully cooked and has a nice char. Just make sure not to overcook it!
3. Prepare your chimichurri by mixing all the ingredients together in a bowl.
4. Toss your grilled chicken with chimichurri to coat it well (we like to reserve a bit of the sauce to serve on the side) and enjoy it right away. That's it!

Tip: the chimichurri sauce is easily doubled and keeps well in the fridge or freezer.

Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

Chimichurri chicken ingredients

This chimichurri chicken recipe is fresh and healthy, and you only need a few simple ingredients to make it. Here's everything you need for the chicken:

• Bone-in chicken thighs – we use skinless bone-in chicken thighs for this recipe, but chicken breasts or any cut of chicken works.
• Olive oil – for grilling the chicken and preventing it from sticking.
• Sea salt + pepper – for seasoning.

Here are the ingredients you need for the homemade chimichurri sauce:

• Parsley – the flavor of fresh parsley really shines in this chimichurri sauce. It's peppery, clean-tasting, and slightly earthy. Feel free to add some fresh cilantro if you have some on hand.
• Olive oil – extra-virgin olive oil makes up the base of this loose condiment.
• Sherry vinegar – sherry vinegar is a lovely vinegar that's rich and slightly sweet. It's super versatile and tastes great in dressings so we highly recommend picking up a bottle. Red wine vinegar is a bit more acidic but it makes a great substitute.
• Seasonings – we use a mix of dried oregano, dried red chili flakes, and sea salt.
• Garlic – a couple of garlic cloves add a pungent kick.

What to serve with chimichurri chicken

If you're wondering what goes well with chicken chimichurri, the answer is pretty much anything. It's a versatile chicken dish that pairs well with everything from a side salad to potato wedges, rice dishes, and more!

Sides that taste great with chimichurri chicken

• Tomato and Grilled Corn Salad
• Sweet and Spicy Yam Wedges
• Garlic Butter Rice

Recipe FAQs

Easy chicken recipes

• Jerk Chicken Marinade
• Creamy Tarragon Chicken
• Salsa Chicken

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5 stars (52 ratings)

Chimichurri Chicken Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

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This chimichurri chicken is juicy, bright, and bursting with flavor. It's smoky grilled chicken thighs topped with our homemade zesty chimichurri sauce. It's a quick and easy meal and it's ready in just 40 minutes!

4 servings

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 lb bone-in chicken thighs (with or without skin, your choice)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ ½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper

The Chimichurri

• ▢ ¾ cup parsley (minced)
• ▢ ¼ cup olive oil
• ▢ ¼ cup sherry vinegar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)

Instructions 

• Preheat your grill to medium-low and oil the grate. Toss the chicken thighs with oil and then season them with salt and pepper.
  2 lb bone-in chicken thighs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper
  
• Place the chicken thighs on the grill skin side up and let them cook for 20 minutes. Flip them over and let them cook for another 10 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
• While the chicken is cooking, prepare the chimichurri. Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
  ¾ cup parsley, ¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup sherry vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon chili flakes, ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  
• When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and put it into a large bowl. Pour the chimichurri sauce over the chicken and toss well to coat. Serve it right away.
  

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving = ¼ of the recipe, Calories: 323kcal (16%), Carbohydrates: 2g (1%), Protein: 27g (54%), Fat: 23g (35%), Saturated Fat: 4g (25%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 14g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 129mg (43%), Sodium: 567mg (25%), Potassium: 417mg (12%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 1026IU (21%), Vitamin C: 16mg (19%), Calcium: 40mg (4%), Iron: 2mg (11%)

© Author Kristen Stevens

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.

For more dinner inspiration, check out all of our chicken recipes!