Pan Seared Chimichurri Chicken 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 CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the chicken: Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the grapeseed oil and allow it to heat up. Place the chicken breasts in the pan skin-side down, making sure not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. Sear one side of the chicken until nicely browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the chicken over and finish cooking until cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F., 3 to 4 minutes.
• For the chimichurri: Combine the grapeseed oil, parsley, vinegar, cilantro, honey, oregano, garlic, shallot, red pepper flakes and salt in a food processor and process slowly. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and mix to combine. The final product should be smooth but have a bit of texture to it.
• For the sweet potatoes: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the grapeseed oil and allow it to heat up. Add the sweet potatoes and cook on high to sear, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook the the potatoes, stirring regularly, until tender, about 20 minutes.
• Add the chili powder and cayenne and saute for 1 to 2 minutes to toast the spices. Add the molasses and cook, stirring, until glazed, 3 to 4 minutes. The potatoes should be tender but not falling apart.
• Just before serving, heat the sweet potatoes over high heat and add the kale. Cook until the kale is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• To plate: Divide the sweet potatoes and kale among 6 plates, placing the vegetables in the center of the plates. Lay the chicken breast over the sweet potatoes. Spoon about 2 ounces of the chimichurri over each of the chicken breast. Garnish with the chopped parsley.

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.

PAN-SEARED CHIMICHURRI CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat butter and olive oil in a deep skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir until golden brown, about 1 minute. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet and cook until browned on each side, no longer pink in the center, and juices run clear, 3 to 5 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Combine olive oil, onion, parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, garlic, and salt together in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped.
• Spoon chimichurri sauce over chicken tenders; serve.

LATIN SPICE ROAST CHICKEN WITH CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Whisk the melted butter, paprika, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt and pepper in a bowl.
• Remove the chicken giblets. Remove any excess fat and leftover pin feathers and pat the outside very dry with paper towels.
• Massage the entire chicken with the spiced butter, making sure to coat the inside. Use your fingers to separate the skin from the breast and pour some of the butter mixture inside, using your fingers to push it into all the crevices. Stuff the cavity of the bird with the orange and cilantro. Tuck the wings underneath the chicken. Truss the legs with kitchen twine and put the bird breast-side up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Put the bird, uncovered, in the refrigerator and chill for at least 6 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Allow the chilled chicken to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Roast until the skin is crisp and a knife inserted in the thickest part of the thigh produces only clear juices, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for the chimichurri: Combine the parsley, cilantro, lime juice, vinegar, red pepper flakes, paprika, garlic, salt, olive oil and black pepper in a food processor. Process until creamy but still a little chunky.
• Let the chicken rest 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the twine. Serve the chicken with the chimichurri sauce and drizzled with more olive oil, if desired.