Chimichurri Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)

Grilled chicken with al dente pasta and vibrant herby chimichurri sauce. A fusion twist combining Argentinian and Italian flavors.

# What You Need:

→ Chimichurri Sauce

01 - 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, finely chopped or 2 teaspoons dried
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, approximately 1 pound 2 ounces
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:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine finely chopped parsley, oregano, minced garlic, shallot, red pepper flakes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly and set aside to allow flavors to develop.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
03 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Grill chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
05 - Toss cooked pasta with sliced chicken and chimichurri sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Serve garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chimichurri transforms simple pasta night into something that feels special and restaurant worthy
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the sauce soaks into everything
  • It comes together in under an hour but looks like you spent much more time on it
02 -
  • The chimichurri needs at least 30 minutes to rest so the harsh garlic mellows and the herbs properly infuse the oil
  • Pasta water is your secret weapon for creating a silky sauce that clings to every piece of pasta
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps all the juices inside instead of running onto your cutting board
03 -
  • Double the chimichurri recipe and keep the extra in your fridge for quick weeknight meals
  • Grill the chicken outdoors when the weather is nice for that extra smoky dimension
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