Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Avocado Salad: A Burst of Flavor in Every Bite
Prepare to elevate your salad game with the sensational **Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Avocado Salad**. This isn’t just any salad; it’s a complete, satisfying meal packed with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients. Imagine tender, perfectly grilled chicken infused with an aromatic chimichurri marinade, nestled amongst crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and zesty red onion, all brought together with a final drizzle of fresh, herbaceous chimichurri dressing. It’s a culinary journey to South America, right in your kitchen!
This Chimichurri Chicken Avocado Salad truly deserves a standing ovation. The secret lies in one incredible ingredient: authentic chimichurri. We harness its power not just as a dressing but also as a marinade, ensuring that every single bite is bursting with its incredible, complex flavors. Having crafted a fresh batch of this Authentic Chimichurri alongside my dad and then grilling chicken thighs to perfection with it, I instantly knew a new, show-stopping salad was destined to be created. It’s about time I shared more from my own heritage, and what better way to introduce you to the heart of Uruguayan and Argentine cuisine than with this unforgettable salad?
The Star of the Show: Authentic Chimichurri Sauce
With its minimal yet impactful ingredients, chimichurri effortlessly takes center stage in this recipe. This bright, zesty, and garlicky herb sauce is a staple in Uruguayan and Argentine cuisine, traditionally served with grilled meats. Its fresh, piquant profile is what makes this salad so extraordinarily flavorful and unique. By using it in a dual role – both as a marinade and a dressing – we ensure a consistent and intense flavor experience from start to finish. Sliced tomatoes and red onion, typical accompaniments in traditional South American salads, perfectly complement the rich flavors, while the addition of creamy avocados transforms it into a substantial and incredibly satisfying main meal that will keep you fueled and full.
To truly unlock the potential of this salad, your first step is to prepare a batch of the glorious chimichurri. We recommend referring to our comprehensive Authentic Chimichurri post for detailed instructions. Once you’ve whisked together this vibrant concoction, you’re halfway to salad perfection!
Crafting the Perfect Chimichurri Chicken
While chimichurri is traditionally served *with* grilled meats rather than as a marinade in our culture, for this recipe, we gladly break with tradition. The goal here is maximum flavor, and a short marinade ensures the chicken absorbs all the beautiful herbaceous notes, leading to an unbelievably delicious result. You’ll set aside a portion of your freshly made chimichurri to generously coat your chicken thighs (or breasts), allowing them to soak up the vibrant flavors.
Choosing and Marinating Your Chicken
For this salad, boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets are often preferred due to their inherent juiciness and rich flavor, which stands up wonderfully to grilling. However, chicken breasts can also be used if you prefer a leaner option; just be mindful not to overcook them to keep them tender. Take about four tablespoons of your prepared chimichurri sauce and use it to liberally coat the chicken. While a 20-minute marinade is sufficient to infuse a fantastic flavor, if time allows, you can let it marinate for up to an hour in the refrigerator for an even deeper penetration of those incredible herbs and spices. Remember to set aside the rest of your untouched chimichurri in the fridge; this will be your fresh, vibrant salad dressing!
Grilling Chicken to Perfection
Now, it’s time to fire up your grill or heat a heavy-bottomed skillet – a cast iron skillet works wonders here! Heat a teaspoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Place your marinated chicken on the hot surface and grill for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until it’s beautifully golden brown, slightly crispy on the exterior, and thoroughly cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). As the chicken cooks, you can baste it with a little extra of the *marinade* (not the reserved dressing) to intensify that incredible chimichurri flavor. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and moist chicken every time.
Assembling Your Vibrant Avocado Salad
While the chicken is resting, it’s the perfect time to prepare the fresh, crisp components of your salad. This salad focuses on quality, fresh ingredients that perfectly complement the star chimichurri chicken.
The Fresh Foundation
Start with a generous bed of five cups of crisp Romaine lettuce leaves (also known as cos lettuce), ensuring they are thoroughly washed and dried. Romaine provides a delightful crunch and a neutral base that allows the other flavors to shine.
Classic South American Additions
Next, add three ripe, juicy tomatoes, thinly sliced. Their natural sweetness and acidity provide a wonderful counterpoint to the savory chicken. Follow with half a red onion, also thinly sliced. Red onion adds a delightful zing and a subtle bite, a classic element in many South American salads.
Creamy Avocado Goodness
Finally, incorporate two perfectly ripe avocados, sliced or diced. Avocado adds a luxurious creaminess and healthy fats, making the salad more substantial and satisfying. Look for avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed to ensure optimal ripeness.
The Chimichurri Dressing Finale
Once your chicken has rested, slice it into strips. Arrange the chicken strips over your prepared bed of lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado slices. The grand finale involves drizzling the remaining, untouched chimichurri sauce generously over the entire salad. This fresh chimichurri dressing ties all the elements together, infusing every bite with that signature herby, tangy, and garlicky goodness. For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, garnish with a pinch of fresh parsley. This Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Avocado Salad is an absolute win!
Watch Us Make Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Avocado Salad!
Pin
Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Avocado Salad
Ingredients
Authentic Chimichurri
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup parsley finely chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic chopped or minced
- 2 red chillies small, or 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped, about 1 tablespoon finely chopped chili
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt leveled
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper to taste
Chicken Avocado Salad
- 4 skinless chicken thigh fillets no bone, or chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 5 cups Romaine lettuce or cos lettuce leaves, washed and dried
- 3 ripe tomatoes sliced
- ½ red onion sliced
- 2 avocados sliced
- 1 pinch fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
-
Make a batch of Chimichurri using this recipe, in a small bowl or jug.
-
Pour 4 tablespoons of Chimichurri out into a shallow dish to coat the chicken fillets, and allow to marinade for 20 minutes (if time allows).
Refrigerate the reserved untouched marinade to use as a dressing.
-
Heat the oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and grill chicken fillets on each side until golden, crispy and cooked through.
Once chicken is cooked, set aside and allow to rest.
-
Slice chicken into strips and prepare salad with leaves, tomatoes, onion and avocado slices.
-
Drizzle with remaining Chimichurri dressing and serve with (optional) extra parsley leaves.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tips for Success and Variations
Meal Prep Friendly
This Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Avocado Salad is excellent for meal prepping. Prepare the chimichurri and grill the chicken ahead of time. Store the chicken separately from the salad components. When ready to eat, simply slice the chicken, assemble your salad, and drizzle with the fresh chimichurri dressing. This will keep your lettuce crisp and your avocado fresh.
Customizing Your Salad
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other crisp vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, or corn for extra color and nutrients.
- Herbs: While parsley is traditional for chimichurri, a touch of fresh cilantro can add another layer of flavor if you enjoy it.
- Cheese: A sprinkle of crumbled feta or cotija cheese can add a salty, tangy element.
- Grains: For an even heartier meal, consider adding a small portion of quinoa or brown rice to the base of your salad.
- Spicy Kick: If you love heat, don’t deseed the red chilies in your chimichurri, or add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
Why You’ll Love This Chimichurri Chicken Avocado Salad
- Flavor Explosion: The chimichurri truly makes this salad unforgettable, infusing every component with its vibrant, herbaceous, and garlicky notes.
- Nutritionally Balanced: Packed with lean protein from the chicken, healthy fats from the avocado and olive oil, and a wealth of vitamins and fiber from the fresh vegetables.
- Satisfying Meal: This isn’t a light side salad; it’s a hearty and fulfilling dish that will keep you satisfied for hours.
- Quick to Prepare: With just 20 minutes of total time (excluding chimichurri prep), it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or quick lunches.
- Authentic Flavors: A wonderful way to experience the delicious and authentic flavors of Uruguayan and Argentine cuisine.
So, go ahead and treat yourself to this incredible Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Avocado Salad. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an experience, bringing together fresh ingredients and bold flavors in a healthy and satisfying way. Whether you’re a long-time fan of chimichurri or discovering it for the first time, this salad is sure to become a cherished favorite in your culinary repertoire. Enjoy the vibrant tastes of South America!