Introducing a delicious dish that brings the rich flavors of Peruvian cuisine to your table, let’s explore the art of making Peruvian Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce. The secret to its delightful taste lies in the easy-to-prepare marinade and the vibrant aji verde. The combination of garlic, soy sauce, and cumin creates layers of complex and authentic flavors that enhance tender, marinated chicken thighs.
The crowning touch of this dish is the creamy green sauce made with jalapeno, cilantro, fresh lime juice, and Greek yogurt, which adds a tangy zest. Not only is it perfect for dipping the chicken, but it can also be used to elevate your salads, tacos, and roasted vegetables. This quick and casual meal is an ideal option for entertaining, as most of the work can be done ahead of time, allowing you to enjoy the company of your guests.
Key Takeaways
Peruvian Chicken owes its flavorful taste to a special marinade infused with garlic, soy sauce, and cumin
Aji verde, the creamy green sauce, is made from jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and Greek yogurt for a tangy finish
The dish is great for entertaining, as it can be prepared in advance and pairs with various sides and salads
What is Peruvian Chicken?
Peruvian Chicken, also known as Pollo a la Brasa, is a unique dish that involves marinating chicken in a blend of lime juice, oil, garlic, and various spices before grilling or roasting it. You can customize this dish by using boneless chicken thighs or opting for a whole chicken, breasts, wings, or legs. To fully enjoy Peruvian-style grilled chicken, make sure to pair it with a delicious green sauce called Aji Verde, which combines jalapenos, mayonnaise, and cilantro for a creamy, spicy accompaniment.
Green Sauce – Aji Verde Components
To prepare Aji Verde, you’ll need jalapeños (deseeded for less heat), cilantro (substitute with parsley if needed), green onion tops, garlic, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy this tangy, spicy green sauce!
How to Make Creamy Green Sauce (Aji Verde)
To create a delicious Aji Verde, simply combine all sauce ingredients, excluding the olive oil, in a blender or food processor. Blend everything until it reaches a smooth consistency. Gradually pour in the extra-virgin olive oil while the appliance is running to fully incorporate it into the mixture. Once done, transfer the sauce to a bowl, cover, and chill until ready to serve. Enjoy your creamy Peruvian Green Sauce with some lime wedges on the side!
Crafting Marinated Peruvian Chicken
Grilling the Chicken: An Option
To grill your marinated chicken, place it on a medium-high heat oiled grill grate. Flip it once during cooking until it’s cooked thoroughly.
Roasting the Chicken: An Alternative
In case you prefer cooking indoors, roast your marinated chicken in a 500ºF oven for about 30 minutes. Once done, cover the pan with foil and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes until the chicken turns brown and is fully cooked.
Handy Suggestions and Alternatives
Feel free to skip the mayo in the green sauce and just increase the Greek yogurt amount or use sour cream or Mexican crema as a replacement.
To ensure the chicken thighs are well-cooked, measure their internal temperature with a meat thermometer; 165ºF signifies they’re done.
In case the green sauce turns out too hot, reduce the number of jalapenos to 1 or 2, and make sure to take out the seeds and veins from the pepper.
This recipe is versatile, as you can use a whole chicken or any specific cut such as breasts, legs, or wings.
For a more authentic Peruvian touch, swap the jalapenos in the green sauce with aji amarillo (Peruvian yellow pepper) paste.
Ideal Wine for Your Peruvian Chicken Experience
To elevate your Peruvian chicken meal, choose an affordable Vinho Verde. Its high acidity complements the dish’s rich and creamy green sauce perfectly.
What to Serve with Peruvian Chicken
Tasty Side Dishes
Ingredients
Peas and Rice
Grilled Potato Salad
Grilled Peppers
Wedge Salad
Green Bean Fries
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Salad, rice, avocado, grilled corn, quinoa, potatoes, and other salads
Instructions
Peas and Rice: Cook peas and rice separately, then mix them together to create a simple and hearty side dish that pairs well with Peruvian chicken.
Grilled Potato Salad: Boil potatoes and cut them into bite-size pieces. Grill them until they’re slightly crispy and mix with your preferred dressing, chopped onions, and fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley.
Grilled Peppers: Slice bell peppers and grill them until tender. Serve alongside Peruvian chicken to add a flavorful and colorful touch.
Wedge Salad: Cut a head of iceberg lettuce into wedges and top with your favorite salad dressing, crumbled bacon, and crumbled blue cheese.
Green Bean Fries: Coat fresh green beans in a light batter, then air fry or bake them for a healthy and crispy side dish.
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers: Place whole shishito peppers in the air fryer, cook them for a few minutes on high heat, and then season with a mixture of salt and lime juice.
Feel free to mix and match these side dishes with your Peruvian chicken, making sure to find the perfect balance of flavors for your meal.
Nutrition
Keep in mind the nutritional value of your side dishes as well. Choosing healthier options like salads, grilled vegetables, and quinoa can help balance the protein-rich Peruvian chicken and create a complete, well-rounded meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Ingredients Go Into Creamy Green Sauce?
For a delicious creamy green sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Aji amarillo paste
Fresh cilantro
Mayonnaise
Garlic
Lime juice
Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Salt and pepper, to taste
How Can I Make Authentic Peruvian Grilled Chicken?
To make authentic Peruvian grilled chicken, follow these steps:
Marinate: Prepare a marinade with garlic, aji panca paste, soy sauce, white vinegar, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper. Marinate your chicken for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight.
Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through.
Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Which Side Dishes Complement Peruvian Chicken?
Some tasty side dishes that pair well with Peruvian chicken are:
Green rice (cilantro)
Quinoa salad
Fried yuca
Grilled vegetables
Sweet potato fries
The Importance of Aji Amarillo in Peruvian Cooking
Aji amarillo is a bright orange-yellow pepper that adds a distinctive flavor and mild heat to many Peruvian dishes. Its fruity, berry-like taste enriches sauces, stews, and marinades. In Peruvian cuisine, aji amarillo is an essential ingredient.
How Do I Cook Peruvian Chicken Breast?
To prepare Peruvian chicken breast, follow these simple steps:
Marinate: Create a marinade by mixing garlic, aji panca paste, soy sauce, white vinegar, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper. Marinate your chicken breasts for at least 2 hours.
Cook: Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken breasts onto the cooking surface and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through.
Rest: Let the cooked chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
The Uniqueness of Huacatay Sauce in Peruvian Dishes
Huacatay sauce is made from the Peruvian black mint, which gives it a unique, earthy flavor. This vibrant green sauce often includes ingredients such as aji amarillo, cheese, peanuts, and garlic. It is a versatile accompaniment often used in traditional Peruvian dishes, rich in flavor and distinct in taste.
Peruvian Chicken with Aji Verde Sauce
Delicious and tasty. Your whole family will enjoy this.
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, white vinegar, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and coat them well with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the excess.
Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle.
While the chicken is cooking, make the Aji Verde sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the cilantro, jalapenos, mayonnaise, sour cream, parmesan cheese, white vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
Serve the grilled chicken with the Aji Verde sauce on the side. Enjoy!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
