Zesty Peruvian Chicken With Green Sauce Recipe To Delight All

Succulent chicken takes center stage in this vibrant peruvian chicken with green sauce recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Bold and zesty flavors dance across every bite of this classic dish.

The creamy, herbaceous green sauce adds a remarkable depth that elevates simple roasted chicken to extraordinary heights.

Peruvian cuisine brings robust, complex seasonings that transform ordinary meals into culinary adventures.

Fresh cilantro, jalapeños, and garlic blend seamlessly to create the signature sauce that makes this recipe legendary.

Each ingredient tells a story of traditional cooking methods passed through generations.

Prepare to experience a delicious journey through the heart of Peruvian culinary traditions that will leave you craving more.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ marinating time)

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: About 5 hours (including marinating)

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

What’s In Peruvian Chicken With Green Sauce

• Olive Oil: Helps distribute spices evenly and creates a rich, glossy coating for the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami flavor and helps tenderize the meat with its saltiness.
• Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness and helps break down protein fibers for more tender chicken.
• Lime Juice: Brings zesty citrus notes and helps balance the marinade's richness.
• Garlic: Infuses bold, aromatic flavor characteristic of Peruvian cuisine.
• Cumin: Introduces warm, earthy undertones typical in South American cooking.
• Paprika: Contributes subtle smokiness and beautiful reddish color to the chicken.
• Oregano: Offers herbaceous Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and brings out other ingredients' natural tastes.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and complements the marinade's complexity.
• Annatto: Provides vibrant orange-red color and mild peppery undertone.

• Chicken: Select fresh, high-quality whole chicken or preferred chicken pieces for authentic Peruvian preparation.

• Jalapeño: Brings fresh, spicy kick to the sauce.
• Cilantro: Adds bright, herbaceous flavor quintessential to Peruvian green sauces.
• Garlic: Provides pungent depth to the sauce.
• Lime Juice: Offers tangy brightness and balances the sauce's richness.
• Mayonnaise: Creates creamy, smooth base for the green sauce.

Tools For Cooking Peruvian Chicken

• Large bowl or resealable bag: For marinating chicken with all the delicious spices.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing marinade ingredients quickly.
• Whisk or fork: Great for blending marinade components smoothly.
• Cutting board: Helps prepare ingredients and chicken prep.
• Sharp knife: Needed for cutting chicken or chopping garlic.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning amounts.
• Measuring cups: Helps measure liquid ingredients precisely.
• Grill or oven: Required for cooking marinated chicken.
• Tongs: Useful for flipping and handling chicken during cooking.

How To Prepare Peruvian Chicken

• Prep the Chicken

Grab your chicken and get it ready for an amazing flavor journey. Gently dry the meat with paper towels to ensure a perfect marinade absorption.

• Create Flavor Magic

Whip up a zesty blend of tangy oils, aromatic spices, and bright citrus. Combine olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, crushed garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. This will be your flavor powerhouse.

• Massage the Marinade

Lovingly coat every inch of the chicken with the spice mixture. Work the marinade under the skin to ensure deep, rich flavors penetrate the meat completely.

• Chill and Infuse

Tuck the seasoned chicken into the refrigerator. Let it rest and soak up all those incredible flavors for at least 4 hours, but overnight is even better. The longer it sits, the more delicious it becomes.

• Get Ready to Cook

When you’re ready to transform this marinated chicken into a mouthwatering meal, remove it from the refrigerator and prepare your cooking method – whether that’s grilling, roasting, or baking.

Tips For Authentic Peruvian Flavor

• Marinating Magic: Let the chicken soak up flavors for a full night to achieve maximum taste penetration and tenderness.
• Temperature Control: Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out.
• Roasting Perfection: Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe and juicy results.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe completely gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace chicken with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms, adjusting marinating and cooking times accordingly.

Serve Peruvian Chicken With Flair

• Flavor Fiesta Plating: Arrange the golden-brown Peruvian chicken on a vibrant platter with colorful roasted bell peppers and fresh cilantro sprigs for a stunning presentation that captures Peru's culinary spirit.
• Weekend Brunch Delight: Slice the chicken and serve alongside crispy breakfast potatoes, scrambled eggs, and a dollop of green sauce for a hearty weekend morning meal that brings international flair to your table.
• Family-Style Feast: Create a communal dining experience by placing the entire chicken on a large wooden board with rice, black beans, and green sauce, allowing everyone to serve themselves and enjoy the rich, zesty flavors together.
• Leftover Magic Makeover: Transform remaining chicken into tasty tacos, salad topping, or stuffed into warm empanadas, ensuring not a single delicious bite goes to waste.

Keep Peruvian Chicken Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store marinated chicken in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag, pushing out excess air to maintain freshness and prevent potential bacterial growth.
• Smart Leftover Management: Cooked chicken stays delicious for 3-4 days when refrigerated in sealed containers, keeping meat tender and green sauce vibrant without losing flavor intensity.
• Freezing Success Plan: Wrap individual chicken portions in aluminum foil, then place inside freezer-safe bags, which allows storage up to 2-3 months while maintaining original taste and texture.
• Thawing Wisdom: Transfer frozen chicken to refrigerator 24 hours before reheating, ensuring gradual temperature adjustment and preventing moisture loss during the defrosting process.

Authentic Peruvian Chicken With Green Sauce Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: About 5 hours (including marinating)
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Peruvian chicken with green sauce delivers a zesty culinary journey through Lima’s bold flavors. Cilantro-rich marinade and creamy aji verde sauce combine for an unforgettable meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 whole chicken (4.5 lbs or 2 kg)
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 3 tbsps soy sauce
• 2 tbsps white vinegar
• 2 tbsps lime juice
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsps ground cumin
• 2 tsps smoked paprika
• 2 tsps dried oregano
• 2 tsps salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp ground annatto (optional, for color)
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, packed
• 2 jalapenos, seeds removed (or keep seeds for extra heat)
• 2 tbsps Aji Amarillo paste (Peruvian yellow pepper paste) (or sub with more jalapeno)
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsps lime juice
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Meticulously blot chicken dry to guarantee a perfectly crisp exterior, eliminating excess moisture with paper towels.
2. Marinade Creation: Whisk together lime juice, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, cumin, paprika, and oregano to craft an explosive flavor profile that will permeate the entire chicken.
3. Flavor Infusion: Thoroughly massage the marinade into every surface of the chicken, carefully lifting the skin to ensure deep, comprehensive flavor penetration, coating each muscle fiber with the aromatic blend.
4. Marinating Process: Seal the seasoned chicken in an airtight container or robust zip-lock bag, allowing the marinade to work its tenderizing magic for a minimum of four hours, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
5. Temperature Optimization: Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before roasting, letting it reach room temperature to promote even cooking and maximize flavor development.
6. Roasting Technique: Preheat oven to 425°F, carefully positioning the chicken in a roasting pan to ensure uniform heat distribution, creating a golden-brown, crispy exterior while maintaining juicy interior meat.
7. Cooking Completion: Roast until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, developing a rich caramelized finish that locks in the complex marinade flavors.
8. Resting Period: Allow the roasted chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking, enabling natural juices to redistribute, resulting in maximum tenderness and flavor intensity.

Notes

• Blot Chicken Perfectly: Remove all excess moisture with paper towels to guarantee a crispy, golden-brown skin during roasting.
• Marinade Massage Technique: Work the marinade deeply into chicken by gently lifting skin, ensuring every fiber absorbs maximum flavor intensity.
• Marination Time Matters: Refrigerate chicken for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow spices and herbs to penetrate and tenderize the meat completely.
• Room Temperature Preparation: Let chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before roasting, promoting even cooking and preventing uneven temperature zones.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ marinating time)
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Peruvian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg