Perfectly grilled chicken thighs with Herby Chimichurri on top.

Easy Herby Chimichurri on Chicken Thighs

In Mains by sarawalkenbach4 Comments

Take your chicken thighs from ordinary to extraordinary with easy Herby Chimichurri. This zesty green sauce, bursting with the goodness of fresh herbs and spices, is the perfect companion for not only chicken thighs.

If you like this zesty condiment recipe, you’ll love my Chunky Artichoke Dip recipe. It’s also great on chicken.

Why Chimichurri?

Hailing from Argentina, this vibrant condiment is known for its robust flavors and versatility. Traditionally made with a delightful blend of parsley, cilantro, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil, chimichurri adds a zesty punch to any dish it accompanies.

Plated chicken thighs with herby chimichurri on top with a side of steamed broccoli and roasted sweet potatoes.
Fresh from the garden, chimichurri is full of flavor with fresh herbs and a bit of vinegar.

The best part? It’s incredibly easy to whip up and requires no fancy equipment – just a trusty food processor or a sharp knife and cutting board.

Herby Chimichurri Ingredients

Fresh Herbs

Our garden is in full harvest mode on fresh herbs. It’s the perfect time for making sauces. If you have a brown thumb, or don’t have time to grow your own, get your herbs at the local farmer’s market.

This batch was a kitchen sink of herbs. Here’s what we threw in:

  • Parsley
  • Cilantro
  • Oregano
  • Thyme

There are several ways to make chimichurri. I prefer 1-part parsley: 1/2-part Cilantro: 1/2-part Oregano version. If you are blessed with more fresh herbs, throw them in this ratio. I added thyme in with the 1/2-part oregano.

Fresh is best, dried will not do in this recipe. Plus, fresh herbs contain essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds that support overall health and well-being.

Parsley is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like diabetes, stroke, heart disease and cancer. 

Health Benefits of Parsley“, WebMD.com
Herby Chimichurri ingredients are fresh herbs, shallot, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and a little salt.
Fresh from the garden ingredients with a few pantry staples makes a delicious and versatile sauce great on chicken, salmon, steak or veggies.

Fresh Veggies

I’ve made chimichurri a multitude of ways. Since our garden is at peak season, in this recipe, I added in shallot and jalapeno. Here are other ways to get that flavor if you aren’t a fan of shallot or jalapeno.

Shallot: Use a red onion or fresh chives. Raw onion can be a little overpowering, especially if you’re putting it in a food processor. Try mincing an onion or fresh chives. Or omit.

Jalapeno: Remove most of the seeds and ribs for a less spicy bite. Or omit.

Garlic: the ultimate flavor enhancer. Garlic is a must in this recipe. And it’s an immune booster.

Vinegar & Olive Oil

This sauce begs for fat and acid. I like to use a good quality aged balsamic vinegar; however, red wine vinegar works as well. Fresh lemon juice with fresh herbs is a match made in heaven. Squeeze a half a lemon in to brighten up the sauce.

Finish this vibrant condiment with olive oil. Adding a dose of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

How to Make Chimichurri

There are 2 ways to make chimichurri: in a food processor or with a sharp knife.

Sharp Knife: takes a little more time.

Finely chop all ingredients, add together, whisk in vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil. Salt to taste.

Food Processor: the easiest way.

  1. Rough chop veggies before putting them in food processor.
  2. In the processor, pulse the veggies a few times.
  3. Add in the herbs and pulse to chop the herbs, place in a bowl.
  4. Add in juice, vinegar, & olive oil, stir.

Be careful not to over processor the herbs. Otherwise, they’ll lose their pretty green color. Using a knife makes everything look better but do what’s best for you.

Versatile Chimichurri

Herby Chimichurri should not just be used on chicken thighs. This delightful sauce is great on other meats too. A cheap cut of steak can easily be enhanced with this herby sauce. It’s also great on salmon and pork chops.

Drop this flavor bomb on a side dish of veggies. Here are some ideas:

  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Green beans
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Roasted or mashed sweet potatoes (or regular potatoes)

Chimichurri also makes a great salad dressing and marinade. It’s FANTASTIC on this Nourish Bowl.

Chimichurri on Chicken

Level up that chicken with a spoonful of chimichurri. Prepare your chicken anyway you like:

  • Grilled
  • Air-Fried
  • Pan seared
  • Baked

And top with this Herby Chimichurri.

If you are a planner and like to marinate your meats, do it! I tend to forget this step. Plus, my kids aren’t a fan of this herby goodness. So, we just garlic salt our chicken, grill it, and spoon that deliciousness on top.

A fork full of perfectly grilled chicken thighs topped with herby chimichurri.
Herby Chimichurri will level up any protein or veggie side dish. It also makes a great salad dressing.

If you love this chicken recipe, try Easy Healthy Chicken Artichoke Recipe.

Do I have to use fresh herbs in chimichurri?

Yes. Period.

Will a food processor work for chimichurri?

Yes. It whizzes up in the food processor well. Once the herbs are in just give it a few pulses to chop the greens. If you go too long, it will look more like a dark paste.

How long will chimichurri keep?

Up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Can chimichurri be frozen?

Yes. Thaw in the refrigerator, don’t microwave.

Sauces & Dip Recipes

Chunky Artichoke Dip

Homemade Greek Yogurt Ranch

Lightened Up Mushroom Gravy

Thai Peanut Dressing (or Dip)

Healthy Queso Dip

thyme branch

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Perfectly grilled chicken thighs with Herby Chimichurri on top.

Herby Chimichurri on Chicken Thighs

Sara Walkenbach
Take your chicken thighs from ordinary to extraordinary with this easy Herby Chimichurri. This zesty green sauce, bursting with the goodness of fresh herbs and spices, is the perfect companion for not only chicken thighs.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course, Sauce
Cuisine American, Argentinian
Servings 10 1/4 cup Chimichurri
Calories 160 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Chimichurri Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups Parsley, flat leaf fresh, loosely packed
  • 1/2 cup Oregano fresh, loosely packed
  • 1 cup Cilantro fresh, loosely packed
  • 1/4 cup Thyme fresh (optional), loosely packed
  • 1 Garlic clove minced
  • 1/4 cup Shallot or red onion or chives, fine chop
  • 1 Jalapeno or Red Pepper seeds & ribs removed for less heat, fine chop (optional)
  • 3/4 cup Olive Oil extra virgin
  • 1/4 cup Vinegar balsamic or red wine
  • 1/2 Lemon juiced
  • 1/2 – 1 tsp Red Pepper Flake optional
  • 1/4 tsp Sea Salt optional

Chicken Thighs

  • 4 Chicken Thighs or whatever chicken cut you prefer
  • Garlic Salt

Instructions
 

  • Before you start the chimichurri, season chicken thighs. Sprinkle garlic salt on both sides of chicken, set aside or marinate in chimichurri for 2-3 hours.

Chimichurri Using Sharp Knife – 20 minutes

  • Destem and chop all herbs, place in bowl with finely chopped shallot, jalapeno and minced garlic. Salt to taste and add red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine.
  • Add in lemon juice, olive oil, and vinegar. Stir to combine.

Chimichurri Using Food Processor – 10 minutes

  • In food processor, roughly chop shallot, garlic and jalapeno. Add in fresh herbs. Pulse a few times until herbs are chopped. Don't over process causing herbs to turn dark.
  • Place herby mixture into bowl. Add lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and red pepper flake, if using. Stir

Chicken Thighs

  • If you have planned ahead, and don't have picky eaters, feel free to marinate your chicken in 3/4 cup of the chimichurri for 2-3 hours prior to cooking. Otherwise, just sprinkle both sides of chicken with garlic salt before making the chimichurri.
  • Cook however you like, this is grilling instruction:
  • Preheat grill to medium heat, 400℉. Place chicken thighs on grill. Grill for 7-8 minutes per side. They are done when internal temperature is 165℉. Bone-in thighs will take longer.
  • Remove chicken from grill when done. Let rest for 10 minutes. Serve with a spoonful of chimichurri on top of chicken.

Video

Notes

Store in refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
Can be frozen but let thaw in refrigerator. Don’t microwave.
Nutritional Facts listed are for 1/4 cup chimichurri. 
One skinless, boneless, cooked chicken thigh (116 g) contains:
  • Calories: 208
  • Protein: 28.8 g
  • Carbs: 0 g
  • Fat: 9.5 g
This recipe makes about 2-1/2 cups of chimichurri. If not using as marinade, you will have some leftover. Chimichurri makes a great salad dressing or is delicious topper for any veggie.
Try a spoonful on top of a slice of your home-grown tomatoes.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup ChimichurriCalories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 64mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 499IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 2mg
Keyword chimichurri, chimichurri on chicken thighs, flavor bomb condiment, herby chimichurri, herby sauce, steak sauce
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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