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Delicious plate of Peruvian Chicken and Rice served with green sauce

Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce

A complete meal loaded with incredible flavor that features marinated halal chicken, saffron-hued rice, and a vibrant cilantro-jalapeño green sauce.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Peruvian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 2–2.5 lbs halal bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks or 1 whole halal chicken, butterflied
  • 2 tbsp olive oil plus extra for searing
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 large lime zest + juice or lemon if limes are out of season
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp ground turmeric for color and warmth
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp kosher salt adjust to taste
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 small aji amarillo paste or 1 tsp mild chili paste (optional)
  • 1 cup long-grain rice Basmati or Jasmine
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water + bouillon
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot diced (optional)
  • ½ cup frozen peas (optional)

For the Green Sauce

  • 1 large bunch cilantro stems mostly removed
  • 1–2 jalapeños or serranos seeds removed for milder heat
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan or crumbled queso fresco (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1–2 tbsp water to thin if needed

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, lime zest and juice, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, oregano, salt, pepper, and aji amarillo paste if using.
  • Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Add chicken to the marinade and rub thoroughly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 4 hours in the fridge.

Make the Green Sauce

  • In a blender, combine cilantro, jalapeño, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and Parmesan or queso fresco if using. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed.
  • Taste and adjust salt, lime, or heat. Transfer to the fridge.

Cooking

  • Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange marinated chicken on a roasting rack, skin-side up, and roast for 30–40 minutes until fully cooked.
  • For stovetop cooking, sear chicken in a skillet, then finish in the oven.
  • For stovetop only, cover and simmer in a skillet with broth until cooked through.

Cooking the Rice

  • Sauté onion and carrot in oil until softened. Add rice and cook for 1–2 minutes, then add broth and bay leaf.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer covered for 15–18 minutes. Let steam off the heat for 5–7 minutes.
  • Stir in peas in the last few minutes if using.

Assembly and Serving

  • Arrange rice on a platter, top with chicken, and drizzle with green sauce. Serve extra sauce on the side.

Notes

Marinate chicken up to 24 hours in advance for deeper flavor. Store leftovers separately for optimal texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 40gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
Keyword Comfort Food, Green Sauce, One-Pan Meal, Peruvian Chicken, rice
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