Description
This Peruvian Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce recipe features juicy, flavorful chicken baked to perfection and served with a vibrant, herbaceous sauce made from fresh cilantro, parsley, avocado, jalapeños, and a blend of creamy mayo and Greek yogurt. The dish is complemented with fresh mango and avocado chunks, making for a deliciously balanced and colorful meal perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 6-8 chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/3 cup olive oil or melted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded if desired and chopped
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and/or parsley
For the Creamy Green Sauce
- 1 mango, chopped
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 2 jalapeños, seeded if desired
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken Marinade: In a casserole dish, combine the chicken with olive oil or melted butter, minced garlic, chopped jalapeño, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chopped cilantro and/or parsley, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat. For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight if time allows.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes, or until fully cooked through and the skin begins to crisp and brown.
- Make the Creamy Green Sauce: While the chicken is baking, combine all sauce ingredients—mango, avocado, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, fresh parsley, jalapeños, garlic, lime juice, and toasted sesame oil—in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
- Serve: Serve the baked chicken over bowls of cooked rice, topped with generous spoonfuls of the creamy green sauce and garnished with fresh mango and avocado chunks. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor but is optional.
- Adjust the number of jalapeños in the sauce depending on your preferred spice level.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt.
- Serve with steamed rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
