Description
Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring marinated grilled chicken served over saffron yellow rice with peas, topped with a creamy green sauce (ajà verde). Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Units
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For the Chicken Marinade:
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp white vinegar or lime juice
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
For the Yellow Rice:
- 1 tbsp oil or butter
- 1 cup basmati or jasmine rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp turmeric or saffron threads
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- Salt to taste
For the Peruvian Green Sauce (Ajà Verde):
- 1 cup fresh cilantro (stems removed)
- 1–2 jalapeños, seeded (or ajà amarillo if available)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Salt to taste
- Optional: 1 tbsp grated Parmesan or olive oil for richness
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken – Combine all marinade ingredients, coat the chicken, and marinate for at least 30 minutes (preferably 4–8 hours).
- Cook the Rice – In a saucepan, heat oil, toast rice, add chicken broth, turmeric, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and cook for 15 minutes. Stir in peas in the last 5 minutes.
- Grill or Sear Chicken – Heat a grill pan or skillet, cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until fully cooked and slightly charred.
- Make the Green Sauce – Blend all ingredients until smooth. Adjust consistency with water or lime juice.
- Assemble & Serve – Plate the rice, top with grilled chicken, drizzle or serve with green sauce on the side, and garnish with cilantro.
Notes
- Make the green sauce spicy by keeping the seeds or adding serrano pepper.
- This recipe also works beautifully with boneless chicken thighs on the grill.
- Serve with lime wedges or a simple cucumber salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 130mg