This Creamy Chimichurri Is the Upgrade Your Chicken Dinner Deserves

It’s no secret that Argentine chimichurri is one of the greatest sauces of all time. Fresh oregano, parsley, and cilantro join forces with an unshy amount of red wine vinegar to become an excellent condiment or punchy marinade, transforming simply seasoned proteins and vegetables into standout meals. If it’s a sauce you turn to regularly, then you likely have everything you need to try a new version: creamy chimichurri

Developed by food editor Shilpa Uskokovic for our February 2023 issue, this recipe combines the sharp, herbaceous energy of the original sauce with the soothing tang of yogurt. Whole-milk Greek yogurt is key here. According to Uskokovic, it “plays an extra role in tenderizing the meat, while doing so more gently and effectively than the straight-up acid of the original.” 

Bracing vinegar-based marinades can toughen proteins like chicken if left on for too long. Yogurt-based marinades, however, slowly tenderize, resulting in juicy meat. That’s what makes Shilpa’s sauce so effective: You can marinate chicken for up to 12 hours, but it works well in short-term scenarios too. Plus, it creates a crackly crust on the bird, showing off the heavy-hitting flavors that make chimichurri so great.

Between us, this was my first time roasting a whole chicken. I know it’s very easy, but if you’ve met me, then you know that I have little to no faith in myself come dinnertime. But let me tell you: Once this bird emerged from the oven, I felt proud. My partner and I carved the chicken, dipped our forks into the sauce, took our first bites, and then, in our sultriest voices, said, “Oh my.” That’s right, this chicken—this sauce!—has the power to change your vocal inflections. 

Shilpa’s recipe yields enough sauce that you can marinate a whole chicken, then enjoy the extra sauce with anything slash everything for days. It gets along with meatballs, burgers, you name it. And if you’re vegetarian (or social omnivore), you have a new go-to green sauce for instant zhuzhing. Spoon it over roasted vegetables. Spread it on a cheesy sandwich. Drizzle it atop a grain bowl. There are no wrong answers here.