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Close-up of a grilled chicken meal in a plastic container, garnished with green onions.
StovetopComplexity

Chimichurri Chicken and Rice

Chimichurri Chicken and Rice delivers 28g protein and 554 calories per serving—a balanced dinner with built-in carbs for glycogen replenishment after lifting. Quick-preps 4 servings on the stovetop, blending protein and starch in one container. Streamline your meal prep workflow by eliminating separate rice batches from your routine.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • Olive oil(60g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Vinegar, Red Wine(30g)
  • Oregano, Dried(3g)
  • Cumin, Ground(1g)
  • Red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
  • Garlic(60g)
  • Parsley, Fresh(120g)
  • Cilantro, Fresh(120g)
  • Olive oil(15g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(340g)

    Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.

  • Pinch salt and pepper ($0.05)
  • Yellow Onion
  • Tomato
  • Peas, Sweet, Frozen(120g)
  • White Rice(240g)
  • 1.5 cups water ($0.00)
  • 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)

Instructions

  1. 1Prepare the chimichurri first to allow time for the flavors to blend. Combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, cumin, red pepper flakes, and salt in a bowl.
  2. 2Pull the parsley and cilantro leaves from the stem and finely chop them. Mince the garlic. Stir the parsley, cilantro, and garlic into the bowl with the oil, vinegar, and spices. Set the chimichurri aside.
  3. 3Cut the chicken breast into very small pieces, then season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and sauté until golden brown.
  4. 4While the chicken is browning, dice the onion. Remove the chicken pieces from the skillet once golden brown, and add the diced onion in their place. Sauté the onion until soft (about 5 minutes). 
  5. 5While the onion is sautéing, dice the tomatoes. Once the onions are soft, add the diced tomatoes and sauté for about two minutes more, or until they begin to break down.
  6. 6Add the chicken back to the skillet along with the frozen peas, uncooked rice, water, and 1/4 tsp salt. Briefly stir to combine all the ingredients.
  7. 7Place a lid on the skillet, turn the heat up to medium-high, and let it come to a boil. As soon as it reaches a boil, turn the heat down to low or medium-low, and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and let it rest for 10 minutes.
  8. 8After letting the rice rest for 10 minutes, remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Pour the prepared chimichurri over the rice and fold it in to combine. Be careful not to vigorously stir the chimichurri into the rice because this will cause it to become sticky and mushy. 
  9. 9Taste the chimichurri chicken and rice and season with extra salt if needed. Top with an extra pinch of fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish, then serve. 

Nutrition — Per Serving

554

calories

28g

protein

22g

fat

Carbohydrates
61g
Saturated fat
3.3g
Sodium
108 mg
Dietary fiber
4.6g

4 servings per batch · ~277g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Chimichurri Chicken and Rice have per serving?

Each serving has 28g of protein and 554 calories with 22g fat and 61g carbs. The carbohydrate content is substantial, so this works best as a post-workout or higher-calorie day option.

How long does Chimichurri Chicken and Rice take to prep?

This is a quick prep recipe that makes 4 servings on the stovetop in one batch. It's efficient for meal prepping if you're cooking for 2-3 days at a time.

Is Chimichurri Chicken and Rice good for muscle gain?

At 28g protein and 554 calories per serving, the carbohydrate load (61g) makes this ideal for muscle gain phases where you're eating in a caloric surplus. It provides steady energy and glycogen replenishment for training.

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