Chimichurri Chicken Drumsticks

5 from 4 votes

Posted by Dan from Platter Talk

on Mar 01, 2020, Updated Apr 27, 2025

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Chimichurri chicken is a flavorful and lively meal that is good for your health and good for your wallet. An easy oven-baked chicken recipe, I found this one at my local health club.

Serving of chimichurri chicken on a dinner plate.

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Table of Contents

What is Chimichurri Chicken?

Chicken dinners are some of our favorite family meals. We have many great ways to make chicken, like our Thomas Keller Roast Chicken, our Classic Chicken Pot Pie, and even this Southern-Style Oven-Fried Buttermilk Chicken.

OK. Maybe I live in a closet (although I can assure you that isn’t the case). Why then had I not heard of Chimichurri until earlier this week when I finally made a reappearance at our gym?

As I was making my way toward the treadmill, I came across a podium with a couple of healthy recipes that were on display for gym members. I popped a copy of the recipe into my workout bag on my way out and this is what happened when I got home, later that day.

Tray of chimichurri chicken drumsticks.

Ingredients for Chimichurri Sauce

This Chimichurri Chicken is indeed simple to make and very flavorful. It’s basically made with a marinade that consists of things like:

  • Cilantro
  • Parsley
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Lemon juice
  • Olive oil
  • Other flavorings like garlic, salt, pepper, etc.

The Best Chicken Parts for Chimichurri

You can use any cut of chicken when making this chimichurri dish. As a rule, the darker cuts (thighs and drumsticks) will add more flavor. On the other hand, white meat may be a bit less in calories if you are watching your waistline. The good news is that you can use whatever chicken you have on hand, bone-in or boneless, white or dark.

A plate of food with Chicken and Chimichurri sauce

We like a little zing in our food and so we added some hot pepper flakes to this Chimichurri Chicken. Some other seasonings that would work include cumin, paprika, and oregano.

Although Chimichurri has its roots in South America, it has many of the same seasonings associated with Mexican-style foods. It is healthy food and a great way to celebrate Cinco de mayo.

We baked these Chimichurri Chicken Drumsticks but you can use the marinade for delicious grilled pork, beef, or chicken as well.

Serving of drumsticks with chimichurri sauce and garnished with cilantro.

📝 Chimichurri Chicken – Recipe Details

Category: Dinner, Grilled and Baked Chicken, International Recipes
Cuisine: Argentinian
Skill Level: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour active
Servings: 4
Main Ingredients: Chicken drumsticks, cilantro, red wine vinegar, garlic, olive oil
Equipment Needed: Food processor (or sharp knife and cutting board), large mixing bowl, oven, baking sheet

Summary:
Chimichurri Chicken is a bold and flavorful dish inspired by traditional Argentinian cooking. Drumsticks are marinated in a vibrant sauce made from fresh cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, and olive oil, then baked to juicy perfection and finished with an extra drizzle of sauce for a bright, herbaceous finish.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Fresh and Bold Flavors: The chimichurri sauce brings a burst of tangy, garlicky herb flavor that pairs perfectly with roasted chicken.
  • Simple Preparation: A few fresh ingredients and a quick pulse in the food processor are all you need.
  • Moist and Juicy Chicken: Marinating the drumsticks infuses them with flavor and helps keep them tender during baking.
  • Versatile Sauce: Leftover chimichurri can be used on bread, potatoes, or rice for an extra meal boost.

Good to Know

  • Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Letting the chicken sit in the sauce for at least one hour—or overnight—deepens the flavor.
  • Broil for a Crispy Finish: A quick blast under the broiler crisps up the skin for added texture.
  • Storage: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Sauce Tip: If you prefer a chunkier texture, chop the herbs by hand instead of using a food processor.

How to Make Chicken Chimichuri

This chimichurri Chicken is super simple to put together. Once the meat is in the marinade, it just needs a short stay in the fridge, maybe for a good hour or so, You want the meat to take on the flavor of all of these beautiful flavors. You can even let it soak overnight for a solid marinaded flavor the next day.

Plate or chicken drumsticks with cilantro

🔥 Tips and Notes for Chimichurri Chicken

  • Marinate Longer for Maximum Flavor:
    Let the chicken marinate overnight if possible. Extended marinating time allows the herbs, garlic, and vinegar to deeply flavor and tenderize the drumsticks.
  • Reserve Fresh Sauce for Serving:
    Always set aside a portion of the chimichurri sauce before marinating. Drizzling fresh sauce over the cooked chicken adds a burst of bright, herbal flavor and keeps the dish tasting fresh.
  • Broil for Crispy Skin:
    After baking, pop the chicken under the broiler for 1–3 minutes. This final step gives the skin a beautiful golden finish and an irresistible crisp without overcooking the meat.
  • Hand-Chopped Chimichurri Option:
    While a food processor makes preparation faster, manually chopping the cilantro, garlic, and aromatics by hand creates a chunkier, more rustic sauce with even bigger flavor.
  • Extra Sauce Ideas:
    Leftover chimichurri sauce is a bonus! Serve it spooned over crusty bread, fluffy white rice, mashed potatoes, or even grilled vegetables for a second meal full of bold flavor.

📦 Storage and Reheating Tips

  • Storage:
    Store any leftover chimichurri chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the reserved fresh chimichurri sauce separate if possible, so it stays vibrant and bright.
  • Reheating:
    For best results, reheat the chicken in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 10–15 minutes. This method helps maintain the crispy skin without drying out the meat. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the skin soggy.
  • Freezing:
    You can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before placing it in freezer-safe bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven for best texture and flavor.
  • Extra Sauce Tip:
    Chimichurri sauce does not freeze well because the fresh herbs can lose their texture, but it stays fresh in the fridge for 3–4 days.

📝 Chimichurri Chicken Recipe Summary

Marinated in a fresh, homemade chimichurri sauce, this baked chicken recipe delivers bold, herb-packed flavor with every bite. Simple to prepare and full of vibrant, tangy notes, it’s an easy way to bring a taste of Argentina to your dinner table.

Give this Chimichurri Chicken a try soon. You’ll find out that this entrée is a rare guiltless indulgence that you can enjoy for lunch or dinner. Even better,  it tastes great from the oven or the grill. Enjoy!

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Two chicken drumstricks on a plate with chimichurri sauce.
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Chimichurri Chicken

5 from 4 votes
Chimichurri chicken uses a classic Argentinian sauce that features fresh herbs, garlic, and red wine vinegar. Recipe form Kristie Butler RD
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 people
By: Dan from Platter Talk

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Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs chicken drumsticks

for the Chimichurri Sauce

  • 1 cup cilantro leaves
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 lemon, squeezed for juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp red peper flakes, crushed
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions 

  • Combine all of the ingredients for the chimichurri sauce in a food processor and pulse process until cilantro is coarsely chopped.
  • Pat the chicken try and put it in a large mixing bowl. Pour all but 1/4 cup of chimichurri sauce over the chicken and reserve remaining sauce. Stir the chicken or mix with hands until it is well covered by the sauce. Cover the bowl and place it in refrigerator for at least one hour or overnight for the next day.
  • When you're ready to make the chimichurri Chicken, preheat oven to 350° F. Bake for about 50 minutes or until done. Finish under the broiler for 1-3 minutes for a nice, crispy finish.
  • Serve the chimichurri Chicken while hot and top with the reserved sauce.

Notes

🔥 Top Tips for Chimichurri Chicken

  1. Marinate Longer for Deeper Flavor:
    If you have the time, marinate the chicken overnight. The longer it sits in the chimichurri sauce, the more flavorful and juicy the drumsticks will become.
  2. Reserve Some Fresh Sauce for Serving:
    Always hold back a portion of the chimichurri before marinating the chicken. Drizzling fresh sauce over the cooked chicken brightens the flavor and keeps the dish tasting fresh and vibrant.
  3. Finish Under the Broiler for Crispy Skin:
    Once the chicken is cooked through, a quick 1–3 minutes under the broiler gives it a beautiful golden color and extra-crispy skin without drying out the meat.
  4. You can prepare the chimichurri sauce in a food processor but manually chopping the herbs and aromatics will make the dish more robust.
  5. Keep any leftover chimichurri sauce to serve on crusty bread, fluffy white rice or mashed potatoes.
 
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 41g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 139mg, Sodium: 452mg, Potassium: 378mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 0g, Vitamin A: 340IU, Vitamin C: 8.7mg, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Argentinian
Tried this recipe?Mention @plattertalk or tag #plattertalk!
Updated from the original post from May 4, 2017

Juicy Chicken from the Oven

 

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Dan & Scott split their time between Wisconsin and Southwest Florida and are dads to six boys. Good food runs through their veins, and they love showing others how to cook easy recipes.

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5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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10 Comments

  2. 5 stars
    This looks amazing guys – love all the ingredients in this CHimicurri chicken recipe! Don’t laugh, but I only heard of it recently too! I’m like you, when I see a recipe that intrigues me – I photo copy it and try to duplicate it. Sometimes the recipe is worthy to make the blog- other times – not so great.

    Have a great week gentlemen!!

    Reply

  4. Omggg this chicken looks AMAZING!!! Loving the green on this!

    By the way, I am so loving your blog right now! Everything looks soooo delicious!

    Reply

  5. 5 stars
    It’s incredible that I have never made Chimichurri sauce and it’s so easy. You can make a large batch a use it for different dishes the whole week. Amazing guys!

    Reply