This Peruvian Chicken recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients to bring new life to chicken thighs.  Plus, our homemade Peruvian green sauce creates the perfect flavor combination that the whole family will love.

The Best Peruvian Chicken

If you’re wondering what is Peruvian chicken, the answer is simple; a blend of spices to get savory, tender chicken every single time.  It’s one of our favorite recipes when we’re craving something out of the ordinary and fresh.  And the green sauce, also known as aji verde sauce, really makes this an outstanding chicken dish.

What You Will Need

Peruvian Chicken

• bone-in chicken thighs – You could use boneless skinless chicken thighs, but this will change the cooking time.  We love bone-in, as it adds so much flavor!
• olive oil – Just a bit to keep things moist. Avocado oil is another neutral oil that would work well here too. 
• fresh lime juice & zest – A hint of citrus to balance out flavors. 
• soy sauce – To make this recipe gluten-free sub with Tamari.
• garlic – Adds some nice earthy flavors.
• ground cumin, kosher salt, & ground black pepper – Just a few simple spices to bring out the best flavor.
• Garlic Chili Sauce – Feel free to pick some up from your local grocery store or make our homemade version.

Peruvian Green Sauce

• cilantro – One of our favorite green herbs that helps this sauce get that amazing green color. 
• jalapeño peppers – Some people prefer to use a Peruvian pepper here, but since they can be hard to find, we went with one that tends to be available at most grocery stores.
• green onion – Adds a subtle warmth.
• lime – A bit of citrus to help even out all the other bold flavors. You could always sub with lemon juice if you’re in a pinch.
• plain Greek yogurt & mayo – Together these two make this sauce the creamiest! 
• rice vinegar – Has a sweet and mild flavor.
• olive oil – Just a bit to help everything blend together.
• kosher salt  & ground black pepper – Don’t forget the OG seasonings!

Other Ingredients

• cooked rice of your choice – We love using our instant pot for perfectly cooked fluffy rice.
• quick-pickled onions – These add an undeniable tang and so much flavor!

How To Make Peruvian Chicken

Start by patting dry the chicken and season generously with salt and pepper.  

To make the Peruvian Chicken Marinade, whisk together the marinade ingredients of olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, soy sauce, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper and Garlic Chili Sauce. Then pour that mixture over the chicken, cover, and let marinate for at least 30 minutes. 

While your chicken is marinating, place all of the green sauce ingredients into a high speed mini food processor and blend until everything is a smooth consistency.  Give it a quick taste, and if you want to turn it into a spicy green sauce, blend in more of the jalapeño seeds.

Once your chicken is done marinating, bring your grill up to medium-high heat and place the chicken thighs, skin side down, on direct heat for 4-6 minutes.  Then flip the chicken and cook on the other side until the internal temperature reaches 163 degrees. Then remove them from the grill and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes. The internal temp will continue to rise as the chicken rests and will reach 165 degrees F. after resting.  For best results, always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for doneness.

What To Serve With Peruvian Chicken

This delicious recipe is great on it’s own, but it really shines as a rice bowl complete with fluffy rice and that yummy green sauce with a few quick pickled onions to top it all off. Peruvian green sauce is also amazing with potato wedges or even french fries. So get creative and make this recipe your own!

Recipe FAQs

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Other Chicken Recipes You Might Like

• Greek Chicken Thighs
• Cilantro Lime Chicken
• Smoked Chicken Thighs
• Pickle Brine Chicken