Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce

(Pollo a la Brasa Style with Aji Verde)

A bold, flavorful dish featuring juicy spiced chicken, fragrant yellow rice, and a creamy, spicy green sauce.

📝 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks)

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp lime juice or vinegar

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Yellow Rice:

• 1½ cups basmati or long-grain rice

• 2 cups chicken broth

• 1 tbsp butter or oil

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

• ½ cup onion (finely chopped)

• 1 tsp turmeric (for color)

• ½ cup frozen peas

• ½ cup diced carrots

• Salt to taste

For the Green Sauce (Aji Verde Style):

• 1 cup fresh cilantro

• 1–2 jalapeños (seeds removed for mild heat)

• 2 cloves garlic

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream

• 1 tbsp lime juice

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken

Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Coat chicken well and marinate at least 1 hour (overnight for best flavor).

2️⃣ Cook the Chicken

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

• Place chicken on a baking tray and roast 35–45 minutes until internal temp reaches 165°F (75°C).

• Broil 3–5 minutes for crispy skin.

(You can also grill for authentic flavor.)

3️⃣ Make the Rice

• Rinse rice until water runs clear.

• In a pot, sauté onion and garlic in butter.

• Add rice and turmeric, stir for 1 minute.

• Pour in broth, bring to boil.

• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes.

• Add peas and carrots in the last 5 minutes.

• Fluff and rest 5 minutes before serving.

4️⃣ Make the Green Sauce

Blend all sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy. Adjust salt and lime to taste. Chill until serving.

🍽️ Serving

Plate the yellow rice, top with roasted chicken, and drizzle generously with green sauce. Serve extra sauce on the side.

❓ Q & A

Q1: Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but reduce cooking time to avoid drying out.

Q2: Is this spicy?
Mild to medium. Remove jalapeño seeds for less heat.

Q3: Can I air fry the chicken?
Yes. Air fry at 190°C for 20–25 minutes (flip halfway).

Q4: How long does green sauce last?
Store in fridge up to 5 days in an airtight container.

Q5: Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes. Replace mayo/yogurt with dairy-free alternatives.

Q6: Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely! Store chicken, rice, and sauce separately for up to 4 days.