Grilled Chimichurri Chicken (25-Minute Recipe!) - Cooking Classy (2024)

This Grilled Chimichurri Chickenis first rubbed in an earthy cumin spice blend before being grilled to perfection and topped with a fresh chimichurri sauce. It’s a staple summer recipe in my house, and my whole family goes crazy for it!

Grilled Chimichurri Chicken (25-Minute Recipe!) - Cooking Classy (1)

Flavorful Chimichurri Chicken Recipe

Let me start of by saying you HAVE to try this chicken! This Grilled Cumin Chicken with Chimichurri Sauce is the definition of good food!

It’s packed to the max with vibrant flavors, it’s hearty, it’s healthy, it’s colorful, it’s fresh. How could you go wrong?I could live on this for weeks!

A delicious spiced-rubbed chicken, grilled to perfection and topped with a generous spoonfulof cilantro chimichurri. Then if you’re like me you’ll add chimichurri to everthing else on your plate.

I love it with grilled vegetables or baked potatoes. Maybe that’s weird, but try it and you may just find yourself loving it too.

You’ll have leftover sauce, so you may as well add it to the side dish too. If you haven’t tried chimichurri sauce, don’t let another week go by without makingit — trust me, you need it in your life!

I can’t wait for the herbs in my garden to be fully grown so I can make this for days an days…and days! Have I said I love this stuff yet? I really, really love it!

What is Chimichurri?

I first learned about chimichurri sauce from my husbandbecause he hadlived in Argentina for two years, so in other words I’d been living most of my life missing out on such an amazing thing. This recipe I made isn’t your typical Argentine chimchurri (as far as I know).

I don’t know that you’d find cilantro in a typical version there, but I love LOVE cilantro so I can’t resist adding some to mine. Red pepper flakes also aren’t typical, but I like a little heat, and the red onion is another no so common ingredient but I really likethe flavor it brings so I add a bit to it here.

Then you’ll usually find either vinegar or lemon juice, but I like the combination of the two so I go with both.

More often then not you’ll see chimchurri sauce served with some sort of beef or sausage, which I love it with as well, but I love it just as much served over chicken, so tada. Here you are.

Grilled Chimichurri Chicken (25-Minute Recipe!) - Cooking Classy (2)

Chimichurri Chicken Ingredients

For the grilled cumin chicken, you’ll need:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Ground cumin
  • Ground coriander
  • Salt and pepper
  • Olive oil

And for the homemade cilantro chimichurri, you’ll need:

  • Red onion
  • Garlic
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Fresh parsley, oregano and cilantro
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Olive oil

Grilled Chimichurri Chicken (25-Minute Recipe!) - Cooking Classy (3)

How to Make Grilled Cumin Chicken

  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
  • Pound chicken breasts to even thickness, then brush with olive oil.
  • Sprinkle spice mixture onto both sides of the chicken.
  • Grill until cooked through.

How to Make Chimichurri Sauce

  • Add red onion, garlic, red wine vinegar, lemon juice and salt to a food processor. Pulse until minced.
  • Add the rest of the chimichurri ingredients to the food processor and pulse until combined.

Grilled Chimichurri Chicken (25-Minute Recipe!) - Cooking Classy (4)

What Type of Parsley Should I Use?

For this chimichurri sauce recipe, I used flat leaf parsley. But I’m sure you could use another type of parsley. Play around with the sauce to find what you like best!

What Should I Do with Leftover Chimichurri Sauce?

You’ll likely have leftover chimichurri sauce after making this grilled cumin chicken recipe. You’ll have enough sauce for one more batch of chicken, give or take.

Chimichurri also freezes beautifully and can be thawed out later to be used on any grilled meat.

Tips for the Best Chimichurri Chicken

  • Use some of the stems from the herbs as well as the leaves. The stems are packed with flavor!
  • When making the chimichurri, don’t over mix the sauce. You want it to have some texture.
  • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.

Grilled Chimichurri Chicken (25-Minute Recipe!) - Cooking Classy (5)

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Grilled Chimichurri Chicken (25-Minute Recipe!) - Cooking Classy (6)

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Grilled Cumin Chicken with Chimichurri Sauce

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This Grilled Chimichurri Chickenis first rubbed in an earthy cumin spice blend before being grilled to perfection and topped with a fresh chimichurri sauce.

Servings: 5

Prep15 minutes minutes

Cook10 minutes minutes

Ready in: 25 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Chimichurri Sauce

Instructions

  • For the chimichurri sauce:Add red onion, garlic, red wine vinegar, lemon juice and salt to a food processor. Pulse, stopping and scraping down sides occasionally, until finely minced.

  • Add in parsley, cilantro, oregano and red pepper flakes, then pour in olive oil while pulsing several times until herb leaves are finely minced**. Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill until ready to serve.

  • For the chicken:Preheat a grill to 425 degrees over medium-high heat. In small mixing bowl whisk together cumin, coriander, salt and pepper.

  • Pound chicken to an even thickness using the flat side of a meat mallet then brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle and rub both sides evenly with cumin mixture.

  • Transfer to clean grill grates and grill until center of chicken registers 165 on an instant read thermometer, about 4 minutes per side.

  • Serve warm with chimichurri sauce.

Notes

  • *Use leaves and some stem with all the herbs.
  • **Don't puree/pulverize everything, it should still have some texture.
  • You'll likely have left over chimichurri sauce, probably about enough to make one more batch of chicken another time and the sauce can be frozen.

Nutrition Facts

Grilled Cumin Chicken with Chimichurri Sauce

Amount Per Serving

Calories 522Calories from Fat 351

% Daily Value*

Fat 39g60%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 108mg36%

Sodium 1138mg49%

Potassium 728mg21%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 36g72%

Vitamin A 955IU19%

Vitamin C 16.8mg20%

Calcium 45mg5%

Iron 2.1mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Argentine

Keyword: chicken, Chimichurri

Author: Jaclyn

Grilled Chimichurri Chicken (25-Minute Recipe!) - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

How long does chimichurri need to rest? ›

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

It's important to let the chimichurri rest for at least 20 minutes before using it; this allows the garlic, fresh herbs, and crushed red pepper flakes meld with the oil so your chimichurri is extra flavorful.

Does chimichurri get better with time? ›

Let the sauce age a bit.

You can use this sauce right away. But for an even better chimichurri, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours (or overnight). This will give it some time to let the flavors meld together!

Why is my chimichurri cloudy? ›

There should be oil present on the spoon when you spoon your Chimichurri out, so make sure it's not too dry. Don't over-chop when adding the oil, as it may start to emulsify and make the final sauce cloudy.

How is chimichurri served? ›

It's amazing on roasted or grilled vegetables: asparagus in spring, vegetable kebabs in summer, potatoes or butternut squash in fall and winter. We pour it onto fish, buffalo (aka bison) burgers and steaks, salads, eggs ... you get the idea.

How do you get the bitterness out of chimichurri? ›

Chimichurri can become bitter if the ingredients aren't balanced properly. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to fix bitter-tasting chimichurri. Adding more acidity, like citrus or vinegar, can counteract bitter flavors. You can also add a touch of sweetness in the form of honey or sugar.

Is chimichurri bad for cholesterol? ›

Chimichurri is a power house of healthy fats and medicinal herbs. Olive oil is packed with monounsaturated fatty acids or MUFA's which have been shown to lower low-density lipoproteins (LDL) as well as total cholesterol levels.

How to make chimichurri sauce Bobby Flay? ›

He starts by adding flat-leaf parsley to the processor and tops it with a bit of fresh oregano. He then adds fresh cilantro, red wine vinegar, lots of black pepper, fresh garlic and smoked paprika to the processor. He tops it off with salt and a healthy amount of olive oil and purees it.

Can you eat old chimichurri? ›

The fresh stage lasts about 2 to 3 weeks when refrigerated, and about 7 days if not. Chimichurri sauce is usually served aged. The ingredients cause a natural pickling process. We recommend that it is consumed within 6 months and be kept in cool dry place.

Why is my chimichurri brown? ›

The vinegar browns the herbs over time making the appearance of the chimichurri dull.

Why does my chimichurri taste bitter? ›

One possible cause is an overuse of parsley stems or garlic, which can have a slightly bitter taste. Another reason could be the use of spoiled ingredients. So, make sure you use fresh ingredients and stick to the listed amount in the recipe.

Can I make chimichurri the night before? ›

Chimichurri can be prepared earlier than needed, and refrigerated for 24 hours, if needed. Use to baste meats (chicken or steaks) while grilling or barbecuing.

Can you leave chimichurri out overnight? ›

Chimichurri is easy to store! You can leave it right on the counter, covered for up to 24 hours if you're going to use it soon. If not, cover it and put it in the fridge for up to two weeks. I use a mason jar to store this condiment made of fresh parsley, extra virgin olive oil, and kosher salt.

What pairs with chimichurri? ›

Potatoes – This is one of the best sides with chimichurri steak. If you want a rich hearty meal, nothing beats steak and potatoes. Try it with Gruyère and Parmesan Potato Stacks and Potatoes Au Gratin Gruyere. Rice – I love to pair this Argentinian dish with a classic Mexican Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice.

What meat do you eat with chimichurri? ›

Chimichurri Sauce and Steak is a match made in heaven, arguably one of the BEST sauce for steak in the world! This famous sauce from Argentina is made with parsley, oregano, garlic, red wine vinegar and olive oil. It's quick to make and will take your next steak dinner to a whole new level!

What is the difference between Mexican chimichurri and Argentinian chimichurri? ›

The Argentinian chimichurri uses parsley and cilantro. It has a slight tinge of spice, but nothing like the extremely spicy Mexican chimichurri. The Argentinian version also uses vinegar and is more like an infused oil than a “sauce”.

Should you let chimichurri sit? ›

You can use chimichurri as soon as you make it, but the flavor gets stronger and better if you allow the sauce to sit for about an hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.

How long can chimichurri sit out? ›

Let the chimichurri sit at room temperature overnight for the flavors to develop. The longer it sits out on the counter, the more the flavor intensifies. Refrigerate after 1 to 2 days.

Why did my chimichurri solidify? ›

If serving after being stored in the fridge, take the chimichurri out and let it come to room temperature first. Olive oil solidifies while in the fridge, so letting it come to room temp will allow the olive oil to return to liquid form.

Do you put chimichurri in the fridge? ›

Chimichurri sauce keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it! I like to portion it into ice cube trays so that I can thaw a little at a time. The cubes will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

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