When fresh herbs start to grow like weeds in the late summer months, there’s nothing better than using handfuls of them in fresh and bright sauces. From zingy pesto to easy chopped gremolata, herby marinades, and everything in between, fresh herbs can help liven up any dish. One of my favorite ways to use a wide variety of fresh herbs is found in chimichurri, a sauce normally made with parsley, cilantro, and other herbs, drizzled (or slathered) lovingly over grilled chicken kabobs with summer vegetables.

Chimichurri is a sauce essential to Argentinian cuisine and typically spooned on everything from grilled steak to seafood. Unlike pesto or other sauces, chimichurri contains no nuts or cheese and is instead filled with Mediterranean superfoods, which means it will be dietary friendly for even the pickiest of eaters. In this recipe, we’re adding the sauce to vegetable and grilled chicken kabobs for an easy summer meal that will make you Queen (or King) or the barbeque.

Getting Herbal.

Thanks to so many fresh herbs, (hello cilantro, mint, parsley, and oregano) this sauce is jam packed with nutritious benefits. Notably, cilantro is considered one of the most powerful and detoxifying herbs found growing in your garden or at the grocery market. According to Rebecca Wood, author of The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia, cilantro is commonly believed to safely remove toxins, including heavy metals, from the nervous system and body tissues. Cilantro, along with parsley, works as a natural diuretic to help naturally expel toxins from the body while helping to support and protect the liver. Like cilantro, parsley also amps up the detoxifying properties while providing micronutrient support. According to Wood, parsley is a superior source of Vitamin A and has three times as much Vitamin C as oranges and twice as much iron as spinach.

Along with fresh herbs, this sauce packs in olive oil for a boost of healthy fats that support the health of your heart, brain, skin, and may even be protective against damage from GMOs. Another star ingredient, garlic, is an underrated superfood, which also boasts properties that support the health of your heart. In fact, numerous studies note the amazing effects of garlic consumption to have significant effects on lowering blood pressure, preventing plaque buildup in the arteries, reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and protection against blood clots. Other chimichurri sauce ingredients include cumin and red pepper flakes for a hint of spice and red wine vinegar for a zingy kick.

Like all kabob recipes, this one is easy to customize using seasonal ingredients. If you don’t happen to have any bell peppers, swap them out for extra zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or even mushrooms. You can easily make this recipe vegan by omitting the chicken for extra vegetables if you prefer as well. Of course, when it comes to purchasing chicken, look for organic and pasture-raised chicken breasts that haven’t been given antibiotics. The best place to find organic, humanely raised chicken? The selection at your natural grocery store or local farmer’s market will be the best place to find a good bird.

With so much green herb goodness plus freshly grilled chicken and summer vegetables, this easy grilled chicken kabob recipe with herbed chimichurri sauce is just the perfect dish to serve at any midsummer barbeque.

I’m so thrilled to share this recipe with Organic Authority. Head to their website for the recipe!