Chimichurri Chicken Thighs in Creamy Yogurt Marinade

These chimichurri yogurt chicken thighs are succulent and bright with herbaceous flavor.

Chimichurri is an Argentine sauce that is made with a base of garlic, fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, and fresh oregano leaves. It’s extra herby and tangy from the red wine vinegar, which makes it pair perfectly with chicken.

In this recipe, we have combined the chimichurri with yogurt to create a marinade that will infuse the flavors into the chicken while tenderizing the meat.

These chicken thighs are very versatile, so we have offered three cooking method options for you to choose from.

Honestly, our favorite is grilling them because of the smoky flavor it provides along with the tasty char.

Why you will love this Chimichurri Chicken Thighs recipe…

Chimichurri Chicken Thighs in Creamy Yogurt Marinade

These chicken thighs are marinated in a spicy, herbaceous, and tangy chimichurri yogurt marinade that is really easy to make. This results in chicken that is tender and bursting with a riot of flavors.

Rate this recipe!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Argentinian

Servings 6

Calories 348 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the Chimichurri Yogurt Marinade:

• ▢ ½ cup Greek yogurt
• ▢ ⅓ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ▢ 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• ▢ 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ 1 ½ tbsp red wine vinegar
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference)
• ▢ 1 tsp dried oregano
• ▢ ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ▢ ½ tsp ground cumin
• ▢ ½ tsp salt
• ▢ ½ tsp black pepper

For the Chicken:

• ▢ 6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on (or boneless if preferred)
• ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)

Instructions

 

Ingredients

• 
• In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, parsley, cilantro, red pepper flakes, oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
  
• Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and coat them evenly in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight for maximum flavor).
  
• 

Choose Your Cooking Method:

• 

Grill Method:

• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
• Brush the grates with oil and grill the chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes.
• Flip and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the internal temp reaches 165°F.

Oven-Baked Method:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through.

Pan-Seared Method:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Cook the chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until crispy.
• Flip and cook for another 6-7 minutes, covering with a lid for even cooking.

Nutrition

Calories 348kcal (17%)Carbohydrates 2g (1%)Protein 20g (40%)Fat 28g (43%)Saturated Fat 6g (38%)Polyunsaturated Fat 5gMonounsaturated Fat 15gTrans Fat 0.1gCholesterol 112mg (37%)Sodium 296mg (13%)Potassium 304mg (9%)Fiber 1g (4%)Sugar 1g (1%)Vitamin A 568IU (11%)Vitamin C 5mg (6%)Calcium 45mg (5%)Iron 1mg (6%)

Keyword Chimichurri Chicken Thighs

Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

These chimichurri chicken thighs are very versatile, so you can serve them with a variety of sides. Rice or quinoa are ideal because they will absorb the extra sauce.

You can serve with a side of grilled veggies or remove the chicken from the bone and stuff the meat and veggies into a pita with a drizzle of extra chimichurri.

Expert Tips 🧑‍🍳

Storage Suggestions

Chimichurri Chicken FAQs