Chimichurri Chicken and Blistered Tomatoes Salad

Our zesty Organic Chimichurri Chopped Salad Kit brings the flavors of South American-inspired cuisine home with its mix of cauliflower, broccoli, red & green cabbage, frisée, carrots, almonds, kale, quinoa, and a chimichurri vinaigrette. But what if you want to add some protein and turn it into a main dish for an elegant weeknight meal?

Good news: all you need to do is grab some cherry tomatoes and a fresh rotisserie chicken from your grocery store while you’re getting your salad kit, and you’ll be good to go. The blistered tomatoes add a whole different level of savory, umami-packed flavor to the mix, while the chicken is right at home with our fresh, herby chimichurri vinaigrette.

What? You’re unacquainted with this incredible delicacy? No worries, we’re here to educate—allow us to explain below.

Ingredients

1 Taylor Farms Organic Chimichurri Chopped Salad Kit
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
1 cups cherry tomatoes
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes and let them sit untouched in the pan for 2 minutes to blister the bottom. Add crushed garlic, salt, and pepper to the pan and stir to incorporate. Let tomatoes cook another 2-3 minutes or until blistered. Remove and set aside.
Assemble the chopped salad kit with toppings and dressing. Top with blistered tomatoes and shredded chicken. Enjoy while the tomatoes are still a little warm!

What is Chimichurri?

If you’re a little unfamiliar with this wondrously simple South American culinary creation, that’s okay. After all, we’re pretty far from the confines of places like Argentina and Uruguay, where chimichurri first originated.

This savory uncooked sauce is quite rich in flavor and can be used as an ingredient during cooking and as a table condiment or dip (or all three!). There are two main versions of chimichurri: green (chimichurri verde) and red (chimichurri rojo). The verde version is the base for our vinaigrette and is the most common. This blend of green goodness consists of finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, and a bit of red wine vinegar or lemon juice. Other versions may incorporate ingredients like shallots, red pepper, and sunflower oil.

What can I serve chimichurri with?

Here’s the best part: chimichurri goes well with lots of different foods. And we do mean lots. The use of uncooked herbs and aromatics gives the sauce a very pungent, robust, and fresh flavor that makes it a perfect addition to a wide variety of meals, especially simpler dishes that could use some pizazz or any South American-inspired dishes.

You’ll most often see chimichurri sauce served alongside grilled meats like steak and chicken, but it’s also great as a compliment to dishes like fish, roasted sausages, and grilled vegetable skewers. For those avoiding meat, try it on baked potatoes, too. It’s also used as a marinade for all of the above, and yes, it serves as a great salad dressing base!

So, next time you’re grilling up some steaks, check your pantry and fridge to see if you have the ingredients for a fresh batch of chimichurri—odds are pretty good that you will! Similar to blending up a batch of fresh pesto, it only takes a few minutes to make and just a small amount of it can turn your next meal into a gourmet one. You’ll probably even discover some favorite uses of your own. ¡Provecho!