Chimichurri Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Marinated chicken with fresh herbs and vegetables over rice

# What You'll Need:

→ Chimichurri Marinade & Sauce

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

→ Chicken

10 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately 1.5 pounds
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Bowl Assembly

13 - 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
14 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
15 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
16 - 1 avocado, sliced
17 - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
18 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
19 - 2 limes, cut into wedges

# Directions:

01 - Combine parsley, cilantro, garlic, oregano, olive oil, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir until well combined. Reserve 1/3 cup of the mixture separately for serving as sauce.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the remaining chimichurri mixture over the chicken, ensuring complete coating. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - Preheat a grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat approximately 400°F. Allow the surface to reach proper temperature before adding chicken.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry. Season both sides with additional salt and pepper. Place on preheated cooking surface and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
05 - Divide cooked rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Arrange sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, avocado slices, and red onion on top of each rice portion.
06 - Drizzle each bowl with reserved chimichurri sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately with lime wedges for added brightness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chimichurri marinade works fast, so you can have juicy, flavorful chicken on the table without planning days ahead.
  • It feels restaurant-quality but comes together in less time than ordering takeout, which means weeknight victories.
  • Every bowl is customizable, so picky eaters and adventurous ones can build exactly what they want.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting step after cooking; rushing it turns moist chicken into a rubbery disappointment that even great sauce can't fix.
  • Reserve some chimichurri before marinating the chicken, or you'll end up with none left for serving, which is when this dish loses its final spark.
03 -
  • If your chicken starts cooking too fast on the outside but stays pink inside, lower your heat slightly and cover loosely with foil for the last few minutes to gentle the inside through.
  • Make chimichurri in a food processor for a finer texture, or chop by hand if you like it more rustic and herbaceous with visible flecks.
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