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Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce Recipe

Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce Recipe

5.2 from 11 reviews

This vibrant and flavorful Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce recipe features tender, marinated chicken paired with fragrant Peruvian yellow rice and a creamy, zesty cilantro-based green sauce. Perfect for beginner cooks, it breaks down cooking into simple steps including marinating, grilling or baking the chicken, cooking aromatic yellow rice with peas, and blending a fresh, tangy sauce. This meal is a wholesome, satisfying dinner option that balances protein, complex carbs, and fresh herbs, ideal for family meals or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade:

  • 1.52 lbs chicken (thighs, breasts, or any cut)
  • 23 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp lime juice or white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil)
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Green Sauce:

  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (full-fat)
  • ¼ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt as substitute)
  • 2 jalapeño chiles, roughly chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Peruvian Yellow Rice:

  • 1 cup jasmine rice (or long-grain rice such as basmati)
  • 1 tbsp butter or oil
  • ¼ cup onion, diced (yellow or white)
  • 23 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • ¼ tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients (The Flavor Base): In a medium bowl, mix minced garlic, lime juice or vinegar, oil, cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create the chicken marinade. Stir well to blend the flavors.
  2. Reserve Marinade (The Flavor Booster): Set aside about ¼ of the marinade in a separate small bowl to brush on chicken during cooking, which adds extra moisture and flavor.
  3. Marinate Chicken (The Flavor Deepening): Add the chicken pieces to the remaining marinade, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight to enhance flavor and tenderness.
  4. Cook the Chicken – To Grill (The Smoky Option): Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill chicken 5-7 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Brush with reserved marinade midway to keep moist and flavorful.
  5. Cook the Chicken – To Bake (The Convenient Option): Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Place marinated chicken on foil-lined baking sheet without crowding. Bake for about 30 minutes or until internal temp is 165°F (74°C), brushing with reserved marinade halfway through.
  6. Wash the Rice (The Starch Removal): Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until clear to remove excess starch, preventing stickiness.
  7. Soak the Rice (The Even Cooking Secret): Soak rinsed rice in cold water for 10-15 minutes, then drain thoroughly to promote even cooking and flavor absorption.
  8. Sauté the Aromatics (The Flavor Base): In a medium pot with a tight lid, melt butter or heat oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté 3-5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
  9. Add Rice and Seasoning (The Flavor Infusion): Stir in drained rice along with turmeric, cumin, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toast rice with spices for 1 minute for enhanced aroma and taste.
  10. Add Chicken Stock (The Flavor Liquid): Pour chicken stock into pot and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer undisturbed for 15 minutes to cook rice.
  11. Add Peas (The Veggie Addition): After 15 minutes, stir frozen peas into rice. Cover and let stand 5-10 minutes to lightly cook peas with residual heat.
  12. Fluff the Rice (The Texture Touch): Use a fork to gently fluff rice grains before serving to prevent clumping and ensure light texture.
  13. Blend Ingredients (The Flavor Fusion) for Green Sauce: Add cilantro, mayonnaise, sour cream, jalapeños (seeds removed if desired), garlic, olive oil, and lemon or lime juice into a blender.
  14. Pulse and Blend (The Creamy Transformation): Pulse a few times to roughly chop then blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency by adding extra olive oil or lemon juice if needed.
  15. Taste and Adjust (The Flavor Perfection): Taste green sauce, adjusting salt, pepper, or citrus juice for balanced flavor and desired brightness.
  16. Assemble Plates (The Plating Presentation): Serve Peruvian yellow rice evenly on plates, top with grilled or baked chicken pieces, then generously drizzle the green sauce over the chicken and rice.
  17. Garnish (The Finishing Touch): Add extra cilantro sprigs or chopped red onion for visual appeal and a fresh element.
  18. Enjoy (The Delicious Reward): Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the rich, layered flavors of this satisfying Peruvian-inspired meal.

Notes

  • Adjust the spice level of the green sauce by removing jalapeño seeds or reducing jalapeño quantity.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Do not lift the rice lid while cooking to prevent steam loss and uneven cooking.
  • Blend the green sauce until completely smooth for the best creamy texture.
  • Chicken thighs are more forgiving and stay moist; breast meat is leaner but can dry out if overcooked.
  • Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour; overnight marinating results in deeper flavor and tenderness.
  • Rice variations: substitute jasmine rice with basmati or brown rice (longer cook time for brown rice).
  • Optional vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, corn, or spinach can be sautéed with the onions for added nutrition.
  • If grilling chicken skin, ensure grill grates are clean and oiled; pat chicken skin dry before cooking for crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Peruvian chicken, Peruvian yellow rice, green sauce, cilantro sauce, marinated chicken, jasmine rice recipe, grilled chicken, baked chicken, Latin American cuisine