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Peruvian Grilled Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce

Peruvian grilled chicken with creamy green sauce pairs smoky, citrus-marinated thighs with a bright jalapeño-cilantro blend. The chicken char-grills to juicy, caramelized edges, then gets finished with a smooth, lightly spicy sauce.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
marinating 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 34 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: South American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 3 tbsp lime juice
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • Salt, to taste
Creamy Green Sauce
  • 1 fresh cilantro
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp lime juice, for sauce
  • Salt, to taste

Equipment

  • 1 grill
  • 1 blender

Method
 

Marinate the chicken
  1. In a bowl, combine lime juice, garlic cloves, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt with the chicken thighs until coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, letting the chicken take on a citrusy, spiced look.
Grill the chicken
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until charred and cooked through, with visible grill marks and juices running clear.
Make the creamy green sauce
  1. Add cilantro, jalapeño, mayonnaise, lime juice, and a pinch of salt to a blender. Blend until smooth and vivid green, pausing to scrape down the sides for an even texture.
Serve
  1. Slice the grilled chicken thighs against the grain and transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the creamy green sauce for a fresh, herby finish.

Notes

For deeper flavor, marinate overnight; if grilling from cold, let the chicken sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before it hits the grate. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freeze chicken only for up to 2 months and thaw in the fridge before reheating. If you want a lighter sauce, swap mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt for a tangier, lower-fat creamy green sauce.