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Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce

Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce

This Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce is fresh, spicy, and delicious, featuring marinated chicken thighs cooked fast and paired with a flavorful aji verde sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinate Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine South American
Servings 4 people
Calories 485 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • blender
  • plastic bag

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.25 cup olive oil divided
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 0.25 cup water

For the Green Sauce

  • 1 piece serrano pepper seeds and stems removed
  • 2 cups fresh cilantro
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 0.5 cup Greek yogurt
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1-2 tablespoons water as needed

Instructions
 

Marinate the Chicken

  • Add garlic, lime juice, paprika, oregano, salt, cumin, and 2 tablespoon of olive oil to a large plastic bag. Add the chicken.
  • Seal the bag and massage the marinade into the chicken. Marinate for 1 hour.

Make the Green Sauce

  • While the chicken marinates, add serrano pepper, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, honey, olive oil, Greek yogurt, and salt to a high-powered blender or food processor.
  • Blend until smooth. If needed, add a tablespoon or two of water to thin out the sauce. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.

Cook the Chicken

  • When the chicken has finished marinating, heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
  • Using tongs, pull the chicken out of the marinade. Let excess marinade drip off. When the oil is hot, add the chicken to the skillet.
  • Sear the chicken on one side until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Flip over and continue searing on the other side until cooked through, about another 3-4 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set on a platter.

Serve

  • Reduce heat to low, and add the water to the empty skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the bits at the bottom of the pan.
  • Pour deglazing liquid over the chicken.
  • Serve chicken with green sauce; and rice, beans, or potatoes if desired.

Notes

I use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. Alternative cooking methods and storage tips are also provided.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 47gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 217mgSodium: 1090mgPotassium: 668mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1175IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Cilantro Sauce, Green Sauce, marinated chicken, Peruvian Chicken, Quick Recipes, spicy chicken
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