Best 7 Chimichurri Chicken Marinade Recipes

CHIMICHURRI CHICKEN

Steps:

• Make the sauce: On a cutting board, smash and coarsely chop the garlic with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mash the mixture using the side of your knife until a coarse paste forms. Move the paste to the side of the cutting board, then chop the parsley and oregano together with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Combine the garlic paste and the chopped herbs and chop and mash until the herbs are bruised and fragrant.
• Transfer to a medium bowl. Add the red-pepper flakes, black pepper, vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil; stir to combine. (You should have about 3/4 cup chimichurri. It can be prepared in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.)
• Make the chicken: Pat the chicken dry. If thickness varies greatly, pound to an even thickness, about 1/2-inch. Rub half the chimichurri all over the chicken and let sit for at least 10 minutes. (You could also refrigerate overnight; just let it come to room temperature before cooking.)
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Wipe off excess marinade from the chicken and cook until juices run clear, about 5 minutes per side for thighs and 4 minutes per side for breasts. (For grilling and oven instructions, see Tips below.)
• Serve with remaining chimichurri spooned over top.

CHIMICHURRI MARINADE

Steps:

• Wash parsley and remove the larger stems.
• Combine parsley, garlic cloves, shallot, red wine vinegar, anchovy fillets, salt, and pepper in a blender. With blender on high speed, slowly pour in 1/2 cup of olive oil. Scrape down to sides as necessary and add slowly add remaining olive oil, with the processor running, until a thick paste forms.

RACHAEL'S CHIMICHURRI CHICKEN BITES

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over high heat.
• In a food processor combine paprika, parsley, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, onion, garlic and cayenne. Finely chop the mixture by pulsing.
• Heat oil in a small pan over medium low heat. When oil is warm, stir herb and garlic mixture into oil and heat 3 to 5 minutes, then remove from heat. The oil will become infused with the flavor of the herbs and garlic. Transfer to a bowl and stir in vinegar and salt. Taste to adjust seasonings.
• Cut chicken tenders into thirds and place in a shallow dish. Wash hands.
• Spoon half of your chimichurri over the chicken and coat completely and evenly. Using tongs, transfer the bites to the hot grill and cook 2 or 3 minutes on each side. Transfer bites to a serving plate. Serve with party picks and reserved chimichurri sauce for dipping.

MAYO-MARINATED CHICKEN WITH CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Season chicken cutlets on both sides with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Whisk together mayonnaise and 1/4 cup chimichurri in a large bowl. Reserve remaining chimichurri. Add chicken cutlets to the mixture and turn to coat. Cook immediately, or for better flavor, transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours.
• To cook on the grill: Heat a gas or charcoal grill over high heat for 10 minutes. Cook chicken cutlets directly over high heat, turning and flipping occasionally, until just cooked through and lightly charred all over, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Spoon some of the remaining chimichurri over the chicken and serve the rest in a small bowl on the side.
• To cook in a skillet: Heat a large (12-inch) cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until a drop of water immediately balls up and dances across the surface. Add chicken cutlets in a single layer and cook, swirling them and flipping them occasionally until browned all over and just cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Spoon some of the remaining chimichurri over the chicken and serve the rest in a small bowl on the side.

CHICKEN WITH CITRUS CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk water, salt, honey and zests until salt is dissolved. Add chicken, making sure it's submerged. Refrigerate up to 2 hours., Pulse sauce ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup sauce for serving., Remove chicken; rinse and pat dry. Brush chicken with remaining sauce. Grill, covered, over medium-high heat or broil 4 in. from heat until a thermometer reads 165°, 4-6 minutes on each side. Serve with reserved sauce.

CHIMICHURRI BAKED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine parsley, 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, oregano, vinegar, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a bowl; mix the chimichurri thoroughly.
• Place chicken on a cutting board and remove the backbone using kitchen shears. Press down on the breast with the heel of your hand to flatten. Loosen the skin of the chicken carefully and rub the chimichurri underneath, distributing it evenly. Wrap the chicken in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Allow chicken to come to room temperature for no more than 1 hour before baking.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Rub 1 teaspoon olive oil over the chicken; season with salt and pepper. Place onion in a cast-iron skillet. Pour chicken broth over onion. Place seasoned chicken on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 45 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Allow chicken to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

Steps:

• To make chimichurri sauce: In food processor fitted with metal blade, puree garlic.
• Add parsley and process until finely chopped.
• Add 3/4 cup oil, vinegar, water or chicken broth, and seasonings, and process.
• Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary. It should be very flavorful and spicy.
• For marinade: In small mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of the chimichurri sauce, with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and mix until smooth; taste for seasoning.
• Place chicken breasts in a sealable bag and pour in marinade, making sure marinade is evenly distributed.
• Zip bag and refrigerate 1/2 hour to 4 hours.
• Prepare barbecue for medium-heat grilling.
• Remove chicken from marinade and grill about 3 inches from flame, 7 to 10 minutes on each side or until no pink color is showing.
• Place on platter and serve with sauce on the side.
• Advance prep. tip: The sauce can be made up to 6 days ahead, covered and refrigerated. Remove from fridge half an hour before serving.