Chimichurri Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Grilled chicken meets al dente pasta with vibrant herby chimichurri sauce in this easy 45-minute fusion dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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, 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 cooking water

→ Garnish

17 - Extra chopped fresh parsley
18 - Lemon wedges

# How to make it:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine parsley, oregano, garlic, shallot, red pepper flakes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly and set aside to allow flavors to develop.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain remaining pasta.
03 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly 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 golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
05 - Return cooked pasta to the pot. Add chimichurri sauce and toss to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
06 - Divide pasta among serving bowls or plates. Top with sliced grilled chicken and drizzle with additional chimichurri sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Recipe Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The chimichurri transforms ordinary pasta into something restaurant worthy in under 45 minutes
  • It keeps beautifully in the fridge making it perfect for meal prep or next day lunches
02 -
  • The chimichurri tastes better after sitting for at least 20 minutes so make it first
  • Adding a splash of pasta water creates this gorgeous emulsified sauce that clings to every piece
03 -
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before searing for the best golden crust
  • Do not rinse the pasta after draining or the sauce will not stick properly
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