Peruvian Chicken Rice With Green Sauce (Printable)
Tender chicken and fluffy rice paired with a zesty herbaceous sauce for a vibrant weeknight meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Chicken and Rice
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
02 - 2 cups long-grain rice
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 cup frozen green peas
07 - 1 cup fresh cilantro, loosely packed
08 - 2 cups chicken broth
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - Salt, to taste
13 - Lime wedges, for serving
→ For the Green Sauce (Aji Verde)
14 - 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
15 - 2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
16 - 2 medium garlic cloves
17 - 0.5 cup mayonnaise
18 - 0.25 cup sour cream
19 - 0.25 cup cotija cheese or feta cheese, crumbled
20 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
21 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
22 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# How To Make:
01 - In a blender, combine cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
02 - Season chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, and cumin, ensuring even coating.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
04 - In the same pan, add onion, garlic, and red bell pepper. Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes.
05 - Add rice and stir to coat with the aromatics. Blend cilantro with 0.5 cup broth until smooth; pour into the pan.
06 - Return chicken to the pot. Add remaining broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
07 - Add peas, stir gently, and cook covered for 5-7 more minutes, until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
08 - Remove from heat. Fluff rice with a fork. Serve with generous spoonfuls of the green sauce and lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The green sauce transforms everything it touches into something extraordinary
- One pot means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor infusion
02 -
- The sauce thickens as it chills, so thin it with a splash of water or lime juice before serving
- Resist the urge to peek while the rice simmers, that steam is doing important work
03 -
- Marinate the chicken in lime juice and cumin for an hour before cooking for deeper flavor
- Double the sauce recipe and thank yourself later