Chimichurri Chicken Pasta (Printable version)

Grilled chicken and pasta with vibrant, herby chimichurri sauce. A lively Argentinian-Italian fusion dish ready in 45 minutes.

# Ingredient list:

→ Chimichurri Sauce

01 - 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, finely chopped
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
06 - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
07 - 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
08 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Chicken

10 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 pounds)
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pasta

15 - 12 ounces penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti
16 - Salt for pasta water

→ Garnish

17 - Extra chopped fresh parsley
18 - Lemon wedges

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Combine parsley, oregano, minced garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Add extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly and set aside for flavors to meld.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
03 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 3 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
05 - Return cooked pasta to the pot. Add sliced chicken and chimichurri sauce, tossing gently. Add reserved pasta water in small increments to achieve desired sauce consistency.
06 - Plate portions and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The chimichurri sauce comes together in five minutes but transforms into something magical after sitting for just a little while
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as that garlic herb sauce works its way into everything
  • Its the perfect bridge between weeknight convenience and dinner party worthy presentation
02 -
  • The chimichurri can be made up to three days ahead and actually improves with time, so double the batch and keep half in the fridge for emergency meals
  • Never add the sauce to cold pasta or the oil will seize up and separate instead of creating that silky emulsion you want
03 -
  • Use a very sharp knife to chop the herbs or they will bruise and turn dark instead of staying vibrant green
  • Let the cooked chicken rest for at least five minutes before slicing so all those juices stay inside instead of running out onto your cutting board
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