Argentinian Chimichurri Chicken Food

CHIMICHURRI CHICKEN

Steps:

• Make the sauce: On a cutting board, smash and coarsely chop the garlic with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mash the mixture using the side of your knife until a coarse paste forms. Move the paste to the side of the cutting board, then chop the parsley and oregano together with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Combine the garlic paste and the chopped herbs and chop and mash until the herbs are bruised and fragrant.
• Transfer to a medium bowl. Add the red-pepper flakes, black pepper, vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil; stir to combine. (You should have about 3/4 cup chimichurri. It can be prepared in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.)
• Make the chicken: Pat the chicken dry. If thickness varies greatly, pound to an even thickness, about 1/2-inch. Rub half the chimichurri all over the chicken and let sit for at least 10 minutes. (You could also refrigerate overnight; just let it come to room temperature before cooking.)
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Wipe off excess marinade from the chicken and cook until juices run clear, about 5 minutes per side for thighs and 4 minutes per side for breasts. (For grilling and oven instructions, see Tips below.)
• Serve with remaining chimichurri spooned over top.

ARGENTINIAN CHIMICHURRI CHICKEN RECIPE

Steps:

• Stir together all marinade ingredients.
• Add marinade to a large ziploc bag along with the chicken. Toss in the marinade to coat, then press out excess air and seal the bag. Chill for 15 minutes.
• Skewer chicken pieces and discard excess marinade.
• Use tongs to place skewers on a preheated grill or grill pan. Cook for 10-15 minutes, turning throughout to ensure even cooking.
• Spoon prepared chimichurri over chicken and serve immediately.

GRILLED ARGENTINEAN CHIMICHURRI CHICKEN WITH GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Brush chicken with 1 tablespoon of the oil; sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper.
• Grill chicken on rack directly over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes or until no longer pink, turning once halfway through grilling time.
• Place beans in microwave-safe 1-1/2-quart dish.
• Add 1 tablespoon water.
• Cover with vented plastic wrap.
• Cook on high 3 minutes; drain.
• For Chimichurri sauce, in small food processor bowl combine parsley, the remaining oil, the vinegar, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and red pepper.
• Process until nearly smooth.
• Serve chicken and beans topped with Chimichurri sauce, lemon peel, and juice.

STEAK GAUCHO-STYLE WITH ARGENTINIAN CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill.
• Place all chimichurri sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until well chopped, but not pureed. Reserve.
• Dissolve cayenne pepper and salt in 1 cup hot water. Transfer to a squeeze container.
• Place the steak directly over a hot grill, baste with the chimichurri grilling sauce, and grill until the outer portion of the meat reaches the desired degree of doneness. Remove the steak from the grill and slice long strips from the outer edges of the steak. Instruct guests to pick up a steak slice from the cutting board with their fingers, place it on a slice of baguette, and enjoy. Return the remaining steak to the grill, baste, and grill until more of the steak is cooked. Remove and repeat the slicing and serving procedure until steak is consumed. For extra spicy steak, baste 2 or 3 additional times with the cayenne pepper mixture during grilling process. Spoon chimichurri sauce over steak. (Also brilliant on any grilled fish or chicken)
• Recommended beverage: Argentinian Malbec (red)

ARGENTINE CHIMICHURRI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Meatballs -- Soak the bread in the milk and then squeeze. Just break up the bread and then add the chimichurri, garlic, pepper, scallions, egg and mix well. Then add in the beef and pork and mix until combined. Don't over mix the meat as it will make tough meatballs.
• I form them into smaller than normal meatballs and then I freeze them 20-30 minutes. They firm up and make them easy to cook. Not necessary, but I just like to do it so they hold their shape.
• Bake -- 425 degrees on a cookie or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 20-30 minutes until golden brown. If you want you can always pan fry them in a little olive oil as well.
• Serve -- In a large dish, add a little chimichurri to the bottom, then add the meatballs, then a little chimichurri over the top and sprinkle with the cheese.
• In Argentina, whole black olives, sliced lemons and baguette slices were the garnish. I still like to serve it like that when I make this as well.

CHIMICHURRI SAUCE - ARGENTINIAN CHIMICHURRI MARINADE

Steps:

• Pulse the garlic and onion in the food processor until finely chopped.
• Add the parsley and/or cilantro, and oregano if using, and pulse briefly, until finely chopped.
• Transfer the mixture to a separate bowl. Add the olive oil, lime juice, and vinegar, and stir. (Adding the liquids outside of the blender gives the chimichurri the correct texture. You don't want the herbs to be completely puréed, just finely chopped).
• Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste.
• Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

ARGENTINEAN CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Stir olive oil and lemon juice together with garlic, shallot, parsley, basil, thyme, and oregano; season to taste with salt and pepper. Allow to stand for 2 hours at room temperature before serving; store remaining chimichurri in refrigerator.

CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Pulse parsley in processor to chop.
• Add remaining ingredients and blend.
• Separate sauce into equal parts.
• (Use half for basting or marinade).
• (Use other half for table service).