Grilled Citrus Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri

Grilled Citrus Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri is the perfect flavorful late summer way to change up your grilling routine with Latin flair!

The inspiration behind this recipe:

With fall fast approaching, we’re trying to make the most of all of our garden goodness–especially our basil.  Sure would be wonderful if basil could be hardy like rosemary and make it through our southern winter.  In no time, we’ll be paying $2.99 for a measly sprig.  Kills me!

We normally make pesto–lots and lots of pesto–but we still have some in our freezer from last year.  Because of that, I’m super excited to share my latest and most favorite way to use and preserve all that summer basil.  This Spicy Basil Chimichurri!

Spicy Basil Chimichurri is super easy to make and could possibly kick pesto to the curb as my way to preserve the summer bounty of basil!  It’s perfect with this Grilled Citrus Chicken for a Latin American-inspired light, healthy and super-flavorful way to close out your summer!

What is chimichurri?

Classic chimichurri, the vinegary, garlicky, herbaceous Argentinian condiment is generally made from parsley or parsley and cilantro.  Oregano is often included and it’s served with grilled and barbecued meats.  I think it’s also great with pork, fish, chicken and even vegetables.  I recently pushed the envelope and made a Purslane Chimichurri for my Waste Not feature.

How to make Grilled Citrus Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri:

• First, mix up the marinade.  Combine fresh orange juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, oregano, vinegar, Worcestershire and some ground chipotle for a little kick!

• Pour the marinade into a zipper-top bag along with boneless skinless chicken breasts.

Chicken Freezer and Meal Prep Tips:

• Buy chicken breasts in bulk on sale.
• Trim them up so they’re ready to cook when you need them.
• Place two chicken breasts halves in the bag so they lie flat and side-by-side in 1-quart freezer zipper-top bags.
• Date, seal tightly then place in the freezer.  We like to combine three to four 1-quart bags in a gallon-size bag just to keep like dates together.
• When you need chicken for a recipe, take out just what you need.  Because you packaged the chicken with only two breasts per bag, they’ll thaw faster than a large package would and you can add the marinade directly to the bag!
• I like to use zipper-top bags to marinate chicken (and most proteins) because the marinade envelopes the protein more fully and you can just toss the bag and all when you’re done.
• Be sure to place the bag on a plate or in a bowl just in case the bag leaks.

Just before grilling the chicken, make the Spicy Basil Chimichurri:

• Combine all the chimichurri ingredients in a food processor:  Fresh basil, fresh parsley, a little onion, garlic, a jalapeno pepper or two, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt and black pepper….

• And that’s it!

This Spicy Basil Chimichurri recipe makes more than you’ll need to accompany the Citrus Grilled Chicken.  Simply freeze the rest in small containers for a taste of summer all winter long!  Because of the parsley, it won’t turn a funky brown color as all-basil pesto does.

Citrus Grilled Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri for a late summer Latin American celebration!

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Yield: 4

Grilled Citrus Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri

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Grilled Citrus Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri is the perfect flavorful late summer way to change up your grilling routine!

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

• MARINADE AND CHICKEN:
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle powder
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• CHIMICHURRI
• 3 heaping cups fresh basil leaves
• 1 heaping cup fresh Italian parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded if desired, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/2 large lemon, juiced
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Fresh basil leaves and orange wedges, for garnish

Instructions

1. MARINADE AND CHICKEN: Whisk together orange juice, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire, cumin, oregano, salt, chipotle powder and black pepper.
2. Pour into a zipper-top plastic bag.
3. Add chicken and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
4. CHIMICHURRI: Just before grilling the chicken, combine all the ingredients for the chimichurri in a food processor. Process until smooth.
5. CHICKEN: Preheat a grill over medium-high heat.
6. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on the grill. (Reserve some of the marinade. Reduce heat to medium-low. Close the lid and cook 6-8 minutes on the first (top) side.
7. Flip the chicken, brush with some of the marinade and cook another 6-8 minutes on the second side or until chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees. Discard remaining marinade.
8. To serve: Place chicken on a platter. Drizzle with chimichurri and garnish with fresh basil leaves and orange wedges.

Notes

This recipe makes more chimichurri than you'll need for the chicken. Freeze the rest in small containers.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 784Total Fat: 60gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 49gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 1996mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 3gSugar: 11gProtein: 42g

The nutritional information above is computer-generated and only an estimate. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

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