The Zesty Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce Recipe You’ll Love

Passionate home cooks adore this peruvian chicken with green sauce that brings zesty South American flavors right to your dinner table.

Culinary magic happens when simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Fragrant herbs and vibrant seasonings create a meal that feels like a delicious adventure.

Tender chicken pieces bathed in a creamy, tangy green sauce will make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of spice and freshness that transports you to lima’s bustling streets.

Crisp ingredients and bold techniques turn an ordinary weeknight meal into a celebration of peruvian cuisine.

Jump in and let this recipe become your new favorite kitchen companion.

Reasons to Love Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce

• Unlock Bold Flavors: Discover a zesty Peruvian chicken recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary adventure with its vibrant spice blend and creamy green sauce.
• Master Gourmet Cooking: Achieve professional-level results with simple techniques that guarantee perfectly roasted chicken with a golden crispy exterior and succulent interior.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Ideal for family dinners, weekend gatherings, or impressing guests with a restaurant-quality dish that requires minimal kitchen expertise and delivers maximum taste satisfaction.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare a show-stopping meal in just over an hour, with most time dedicated to hands-off roasting, allowing you to multitask while creating a delicious dinner that will earn rave reviews.

Ingredients for Peruvian Chicken Adventure

• Whole Chicken: Succulent base of the dish that absorbs rich Peruvian spice blend.
• Chicken Breasts: Complementary cut offering additional protein and flavor variety.

• Garlic: Aromatic foundation that provides deep, robust flavor to the chicken.
• Cumin: Warm, earthy spice characteristic of Peruvian cuisine.
• Oregano: Herbal note that enhances overall seasoning profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that amplify and balance the spice mixture.

• Cilantro, Parsley: Fresh herbs that create the signature vibrant green color and bright flavor.
• Jalapeños, Green Onions: Provide heat and sharp, zesty undertones to the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Helps emulsify and smooth out the green sauce consistency.
• Lime Juice: Adds citrusy brightness and helps balance the sauce's flavors.
• Sour Cream, Mayonnaise: Ingredients that create creamy, tangy texture in the green sauce.
• White Vinegar: Contributes additional tang and helps stabilize the sauce.

How to Make Peruvian Chicken Step-by-Step

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Spice Blend

• Garlic
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Crush and mix these ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution across the chicken.

Step 2: Massage Chicken with Spices

Thoroughly work the spice blend into both whole chicken and chicken pieces. Ensure every surface is completely covered to maximize flavor penetration.

Step 3: Allow Chicken to Marinate

Let the seasoned chicken rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This crucial waiting period allows the spices to deeply infuse into the meat.

Step 4: Prepare Roasting Setup

Heat the oven to 425°F. Lightly oil a roasting pan to prevent sticking and potential burning.

Step 5: Position Chicken for Roasting

Place the whole chicken breast-side up in the roasting pan. Arrange additional chicken pieces around the main bird to ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Roast to Perfection

Cook the chicken for approximately 1 hour. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The goal is a crispy golden exterior with a juicy, tender interior.

Step 7: Craft Zesty Green Sauce

• Fresh cilantro
• Parsley
• Jalapeños
• Green onions
• Olive oil
• Lime juice

Pulse until smooth and well-combined.

Step 8: Create Creamy Sauce Finish

• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• White vinegar

Mix until you achieve a creamy, tangy consistency.

Step 9: Rest and Settle

Remove chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This step allows the internal juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum moistness.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Carve the chicken and plate generously. Drizzle the green sauce liberally over the top. Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal temperature and flavor profile.

Key Tips for Cooking Peruvian Chicken Right

• Spice Massage Technique: Thoroughly rub spice blend into chicken, ensuring every surface gets an even coating for maximum flavor penetration.
• Marination Magic: Let chicken sit at room temperature during marination to help spices deeply infuse into the meat's fibers.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat without drying out.
• Sauce Balancing Act: Adjust green sauce consistency by adding more olive oil for thinner texture or extra sour cream for creamier result.
• Resting Ritual: Allow chicken to rest after roasting, which helps redistribute internal juices and ensures each bite remains moist and tender.

Flavorful Styles for Peruvian Chicken and Sauce

• Spicy Herb Fusion: Replace jalapeños with habanero peppers for an intense heat kick, adding extra chili powder to amplify the fiery profile.
• Citrus Zest Edition: Incorporate orange zest and juice into the marinade, complementing the existing lime juice for a brighter, more complex citrus flavor.
• Mediterranean Spin: Substitute oregano with za'atar spice blend, adding sumac and dried mint to create a Middle Eastern-inspired variation of the original recipe.
• Coconut Lime Tropical Version: Mix coconut milk into the green sauce, using lemongrass and ginger to transform the sauce into a Southeast Asian-inspired condiment.

Perfect Pairings for Peruvian Chicken

• Pair with Zesty Peruvian White Wine: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Peru's Ica Valley, highlighting the green sauce's herbal notes and cutting through the chicken's richness.
• Complement with Cilantro-Infused Rice: Create a simple white rice mixed with fresh chopped cilantro and lime zest to echo the green sauce's vibrant flavor profile and provide a complementary side dish.
• Match with Refreshing Lime Mocktail: Blend fresh lime juice, sparkling water, mint leaves, and a touch of honey for a bright, tangy beverage that mirrors the recipe's citrusy and herbaceous elements.

Storing Peruvian Chicken and Sauce Like a Pro

• Transfer leftover chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the green sauce in a separate sealed container to maintain freshness.
• Wrap cooled chicken tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months, separating meat from sauce to preserve texture.
• Gently warm chicken in the oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Restore moisture by adding a splash of chicken broth or water before heating.

All Your Questions About Peruvian Chicken Answered

• What makes this Peruvian chicken marinade unique?

The combination of cumin, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper creates a classic Peruvian spice blend that deeply penetrates the meat, delivering authentic South American flavor profiles.

• How spicy is the green sauce?

The green sauce contains jalapeños, which provide a mild to moderate heat level. You can adjust the spiciness by removing jalapeño seeds or adding more peppers based on your preference.

• Can I use different parts of the chicken for this recipe?

Yes, this recipe works perfectly with whole chicken, chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks. The marinade and roasting technique ensure delicious results with any chicken cut.

Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Peruvian chicken with green sauce delivers a zesty culinary journey through South American flavors. Creamy cilantro-packed sauce and perfectly seasoned grilled chicken combine for an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 whole chicken (3–4 lbs)

Herbs and Spices:

• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Green Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cilantro
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley
• 4 jalapeño peppers
• 2 green onions
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp white vinegar

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Instructions

1. Crush garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper into a fine rub, ensuring even distribution of spices across the chicken.
2. Thoroughly massage the spice blend into both whole chicken and chicken breasts, covering every surface for maximum flavor infusion.
3. Allow chicken to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, permitting spices to penetrate the meat deeply.
4. Preheat oven to 425°F, preparing a roasting pan with minimal oil to prevent sticking.
5. Position whole chicken breast-side up in the roasting pan, arranging chicken breasts around it for even cooking.
6. Roast the chicken for approximately 1 hour, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring crispy golden exterior and juicy interior.
7. While chicken roasts, blend cilantro, parsley, jalapeños, green onions, olive oil, and lime juice into a vibrant green sauce.
8. Fold sour cream, mayonnaise, and white vinegar into the blended green sauce, creating a creamy, tangy condiment.
9. Once chicken is fully cooked, remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
10. Carve chicken and plate with abundant green sauce drizzled generously on top, serving immediately for optimal temperature and flavor.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for deeper flavor by storing in refrigerator overnight, allowing spices to fully penetrate the meat.
• Use boneless chicken breasts for quicker cooking time, reducing total roasting duration to 25-35 minutes.
• Adjust jalapeño quantity to control sauce heat level, removing seeds for milder version or adding extra for spice lovers.
• Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt for lighter, protein-rich green sauce alternative that maintains creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Peruvian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg