Chicken chimichurri is a delicious way to dress up a simple chicken breast or thigh. The zesty chimichurri sauce, made with parsley, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and spices, adds tons of bright, herby flavor. But what should you serve alongside this tasty chicken dish? With so many options for side dishes and vegetables that pair well with chimichurri, it can be tough to narrow it down. This article will explore 10 fantastic options for what to eat with chicken chimichurri.
Rice
One of the most classic pairings with chicken chimichurri is rice. The sauce is ideal for drizzling over a bed of hot, fluffy rice. White rice is a neutral base that soaks up the tangy flavors of the chimichurri. For a more interesting texture, try brown or wild rice instead. You could also opt for rice pilaf, cilantro lime rice, or coconut rice to complement the chimichurri flavors. The possibilities are endless! Rice is an easy, crowd-pleasing accompaniment for chicken chimichurri.
Cauliflower Rice
For a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice is a great alternative to regular rice. To make it, simply pulse raw cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice grains. Then cook the cauliflower rice on the stove top or in the microwave until tender. Top it off with a generous spoonful of chimichurri sauce. The cauliflower soaks up the flavorful oil and herbs wonderfully. Cauliflower rice contains fewer carbs and calories than regular rice, but is still filling. It’s an awesome choice for paleo, keto, or low-carb diets.
Roasted Potatoes
Crispy, roasted potatoes go fantastically with chimichurri chicken. Small red or yellow potatoes are ideal for roasting. simply toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper and spread on a baking sheet. Roast at 400°F for 20-30 minutes until browned and fork-tender. The hot roasted potatoes readily soak up the tangy chimichurri sauce. Wedges, cubes, or sliced potatoes also work well. Fingerling or baby potatoes can be roasted whole for a finger-food side dish. Potatoes are a satisfying, hearty accompaniment for chimichurri chicken.
Sweet Potatoes
For a sweeter, colorful variety, try roasting sweet potatoes or yams alongside chimichurri chicken. Sweet potatoes have a distinct, maple-like sweetness that pairs nicely with the herby chimichurri sauce. Cut sweet potatoes into wedges, cubes, or slices, coat in olive oil, and roast at 400°F for 25-35 minutes. The caramelized exterior contrasts beautifully with the chimichurri sauce. The natural sugars in sweet potatoes balance the acidity from the vinegar in the sauce too. It’s a tasty combination!
Grilled Vegetables
Grilled veggies are a fresh, healthy side to serve with chicken chimichurri. Almost any vegetable tastes fantastic grilled – try zucchini, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or eggplant. Brush sliced veggies with olive oil and grill on medium-high, turning occasionally, until charred and tender. Top the colorful grilled veggies with a drizzle of chimichurri sauce. The smoky notes from grilling pair exceptionally well with the parsley, garlic, and oregano in the sauce. Grilled veggies add great texture and flavors to complement chimichurri chicken.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
For an extra fun and summery option, grill corn on the cob to go with your chimichurri chicken. Pull back the corn husks, remove silk, and brush with oil. Grill over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly charred. The sweet juicy corn picks up tasty char flavor from grilling. Drizzle the grilled corn with chimichurri sauce for incredible flavor. The corn adds a pop of color and natural sweetness that really enhances the chimichurri chicken dinner.
Bread
What better for mopping up every last bit of flavorful chimichurri sauce than bread? Focaccia, ciabatta, crusty baguettes – any hearty artisan bread makes an excellent accompaniment. The bread can be served plain, toasted, or grilled to add extra texture and flavor. Tear off pieces of the bread to soak up the herby oil and juices from the chicken. Chimichurri also works great as a dip for chunks of bread. For gluten-free options, try grilled polenta slices or chickpea flatbread instead of regular bread.
Garlic Bread
For next-level flavor, whip up a loaf of garlic bread to serve alongside your chicken chimichurri. The garlicky notes pair perfectly with the garlic-infused chimichurri sauce. Start with a baguette, ciabatta, or French loaf. Slice the loaf and brush generously with olive oil and minced garlic. Sprinkle with salt and Parmesan if desired. Broil or grill briefly until toasted and crispy. The combination of garlic bread and garlic-parsley chimichurri is absolute perfection. It makes a cozy, comforting match with chimichurri chicken.
Salad
A fresh, vibrant salad balances out the richness of chimichurri chicken wonderfully. Take your pick of leafy greens – try spinach, kale, arugula, or mixed greens. Top with sliced veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, or red onion. Toss with a simple vinaigrette or your favorite salad dressing. The brightness of the salad contrasts the deep, herby flavors of the chimichurri sauce. Feel free to top your salad with a drizzle of leftover chimichurri too! Salad offers nutrition, color, and freshness alongside this flavorful chicken dish.
Warm Potato Salad
For a heartier salad option, try a warm potato salad with chimichurri chicken. Boil petite potatoes until tender, then toss with your favorite vinaigrette while still warm. Mix in chopped scallions, bacon crumbles, parsley, and any other desired add-ins. Top the dressed warm potatoes with sliced chimichurri chicken breast for an incredible flavor combination. The potatoes absorb the tangy dressing and chimichurri flavors beautifully. It’s perfect for a satisfying light meal or side dish.
Roasted Vegetables
In addition to grilled veggies, roasting is another excellent way to cook vegetables to pair with chimichurri chicken. Try roasting bell peppers, carrots, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, or beets. Toss veggies in olive oil, salt, and pepper and spread on a baking sheet. Roast at 400°F, tossing once, until caramelized and tender. The concentrated sweetness of roasted veggies balances nicely with the vibrant chimichurri sauce. Feel free to toss them with a bit of the sauce after roasting too. Roasted veggies add great texture and big flavor alongside chimichurri chicken.
Hasselback Potatoes
For an impressive roasted veggie, try Hasselback potatoes with your chimichurri chicken. Slice potatoes into thin rounds, leaving them attached at the bottom. Brush with oil and roast cut-side up at 400°F for 45-60 minutes until crispy. The accordion shape allows the interior to get creamy while the edges get ultra crispy. After roasting, top the Hasselbacks with dollops of chimichurri sauce. Each tender layered potato round soaks up the delicious sauce. It’s a fancy and fun roasted potato presentation!
Quinoa
Quinoa is a gluten-free grain that makes an excellent and nutrient-dense pairing for chimichurri chicken. Quinoa contains protein, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. It has a pleasantly light, fluffy texture and mild nutty flavor when cooked. Simply boil quinoa according to package directions, then fluff with a fork. Top the quinoa with chimichurri chicken and enjoy! The quinoa soaks up the flavorful sauce beautifully without overpowering it. Spruce up the quinoa with herbs, lemon juice, or roasted veggies too.
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
For even more flavor, try serving chimichurri chicken over quinoa tabbouleh salad. Tabbouleh is a Middle Eastern salad traditionally made with bulgur wheat, parsley, tomato, onion, lemon, and olive oil. Substitute cooked quinoa for the bulgur to make it gluten-free. The bright, fresh parsley and lemon perfectly complement the herby chimichurri sauce on the chicken. It’s a tasty twist on tabbouleh salad.
Pasta
Pasta is a no-brainer pairing for chicken chimichurri. The sauce clings nicely to short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or farfalle. Cook the pasta al dente, then toss with the garlicky chimichurri sauce and chopped parsley. Top with sliced chimichurri chicken breast and grated Parmesan for a quick, delicious meal. Or go all out with chimichurri chicken baked ziti, lasagna, or ravioli. Garlic bread on the side takes this meal over the top! There are endless pasta possibilities for putting those chimichurri flavors to work.
Zucchini Noodles
Zucchini noodles (zoodles) make an awesome lower-carb swap for traditional pasta with chimichurri chicken. Use a spiralizer to turn zucchini into long, noodle-like strands. Saute the zoodles briefly until just tender, then toss with chimichurri sauce. Top with sliced chimichurri chicken for a gluten-free, vegetable-packed meal. The light zucchini soaks up the flavorful sauce beautifully. Zoodles are an easy pasta alternative to enjoy with your chimichurri chicken.
Fajitas
Turn your chimichurri chicken into flavor-packed fajitas for a fun Mexican-inspired meal. Saute sliced bell peppers and onions until softened and lightly charred. Add the sliced chimichurri chicken and warm through. Serve the sizzling veggie-chicken mix on warm tortillas or taco shells. Top with your choice of sides like guacamole, salsa, shredded lettuce, cheese, and sour cream. The chimichurri’s bright, herby flavor really shines here. Fajitas are an awesome way to put those flavors to work in an easy weeknight dinner.
Tacos
Along the same lines, chimichurri chicken tacos make an amazing taco night! Warm small flour or corn tortillas on the stove or grill to soften them. Fill with shredded chimichurri chicken, diced onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Salsa, guacamole, and Mexican crema are great taco toppings too. The tacos allow all those fresh Mexican flavors to mingle with the herby chimichurri chicken. This is an awesome fusion flavor matchup you have to try!
Quesadillas
For an easy cheesy chimichurri meal, make chimichurri chicken quesadillas. Spread chimichurri sauce over a flour tortilla, top with shredded chicken, cheese, and other quesadilla fillings. Fold in half and cook in a skillet until crispy and melted. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for dipping. The quesadilla combines gooey cheese and Mexican spices with chimichurri’s signature herb flavors. It’s a craveable way to use up leftover chimichurri chicken in an easy skillet meal.
Enchiladas
Along the same vein, baking chimichurri chicken into enchiladas is amazing. Fill tortillas with shredded chimichurri chicken, enchilada sauce, beans, corn, and cheese. Roll up and bake until hot and melty. Top with avocado, crema, cilantro, and more enchilada sauce. The blend of Tex-Mex flavors pairs so well with bright, herby chimichurri chicken. It’s a fun way to give your chimichurri chicken a tasty Mexican twist.
Pizza
For a quick and easy meal, try topping pizza with chimichurri chicken. Use a pre-made crust or homemade pizza dough as the base. Brush with chimichurri sauce instead of traditional pizza sauce. Top with sliced chimichurri chicken, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, onions, or any other favorite pizza toppings. The flavors of garlic, oregano, and parsley in the chimichurri sauce make a fantastic pizza sauce. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and chicken is warmed through. It’s an awesome way to repurpose leftover chimichurri chicken into pizza night!
| Side Dish | Key Flavors | Preparation Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | Neutral, fluffy, absorbs flavors | Cook white or brown rice; fluff with fork |
| Potatoes | Starchy, hearty, roast until crispy | Toss wedges or cubes in oil, roast at 400°F |
| Bread | Hearty, perfect for mopping up sauce | Slice crusty artisan loaf; toast or grill |
| Salad | Fresh, crunchy, vibrant | Toss chopped greens and veggies with dressing |
| Roasted Vegetables | Sweet, caramelized, concentrated flavor | Toss in oil, roast at 400°F until tender |
| Pasta | Soaks up sauce beautifully | Boil until al dente; toss with chimichurri |
| Tacos | Fresh, vibrant, Mexican flavors | Warm tortillas; fill with chicken and toppings |
Conclusion
Chicken chimichurri is incredibly versatile, pairing well with a wide variety of side dishes and vegetables. From rice and potatoes to pasta and tacos, the options for what to serve alongside chimichurri chicken are nearly endless! When choosing sides, opt for neutral bases like rice and potatoes to soak up flavor, roasted or grilled veggies for texture and char, bread for dipping, or bright fresh flavors like salad and salsa. Tacos, fajitas, pizza, and pasta are also amazing ways to incorporate chimichurri’s signature flavors into a complete meal. With so many tasty pairing possibilities, you could enjoy chimichurri chicken several times a week and never get bored!