Ingredients
The key to this dish lies in selecting the freshest herbs and quality chicken you can find. I always reach for organic chicken breasts when possible, as they tend to stay juicy and flavorful on the grill. Fresh parsley, cilantro, and oregano really make the chimichurri sing, so I recommend buying these from the farmer’s market or your local grocery’s fresh herb section. When it comes to the garlic sauce, using fresh garlic and a good-quality olive oil makes a world of difference in depth and richness.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup fresh parsley leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (plus 2 more for the garlic sauce)
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus 2 tablespoons for garlic sauce)
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa, for serving
- 1 cup chopped fresh vegetables (like cucumber, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (for garlic sauce)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for garlic sauce)
If you don’t have fresh oregano, dried works just fine, and swapping quinoa for rice is a great gluten-free option. I’ve also made this with chicken thighs when I want a richer, more tender bite.
Instructions
- Start by preparing the chimichurri sauce. In a food processor or blender, combine parsley, cilantro, oregano, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Pulse until you have a coarse, vibrant sauce—scrape down the sides as needed.
- Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or zip-top bag and pour half of the chimichurri over them. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor.
- While the chicken marinates, prepare the garlic sauce by whisking together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Adjust garlic and lemon juice to taste, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Preheat your grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the outside has nice grill marks.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it thinly.
- Assemble your bowls with a base of cooked rice or quinoa, topped with grilled chicken slices, chopped fresh vegetables, a generous drizzle of chimichurri, and a spoonful of garlic sauce.
My secret? I always reserve some chimichurri to drizzle over the finished bowl for an extra burst of freshness. Plus, letting the chicken rest is key to keeping it juicy—something I learned from many a dry dinner disaster early in my cooking days!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Chimichurri Grilled Chicken Bowl with Garlic Sauce, recipe, cooking, food
