Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce: A Flavorful Journey for Beginner Cooks

There’s a certain magic in discovering a dish that’s both vibrant and approachable. Peruvian cuisine, with its bold flavors and fresh ingredients, offers just that. This Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce is a perfect example – a complete meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare, even for those new to the kitchen. I remember the first time I tried Peruvian chicken. It was at a small, family-owned restaurant, and the aromas alone were intoxicating. The juicy, flavorful chicken, the perfectly seasoned rice, and that creamy, vibrant green sauce – it was a revelation. I was determined to recreate that experience at home, and this recipe helped me do just that.

Print

It’s a dish that’s become a staple in my kitchen, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. This recipe is ideal for beginners because it breaks down the process into simple, manageable steps. It utilizes readily available ingredients and offers flexibility in cooking methods. It’s a great way to learn how to marinate chicken for maximum flavor, cook perfectly seasoned rice, and create a delicious, fresh sauce. It’s also a fantastic example of a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. This recipe teaches a beginner how to properly marinate meats, cook rice with spices, and blend a fresh flavorful sauce.

Ingredients and Preparation: Vibrant Flavors, Simple Preparation

This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it accessible for even the most novice cooks.

Ingredients:

Chicken Marinade:

• 1.5-2 pounds chicken (thighs, breasts, or any cut) – Alternative: Use bone-in chicken for extra flavor. Use a kitchen scale. Use a meat package.
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced – Use fresh garlic cloves. Use a garlic bulb.
• 2 tablespoons lime juice or white vinegar – Use fresh lime juice. Use a measuring spoon. Use a juice bottle.
• 2 tablespoons oil of choice – Use olive oil or vegetable oil. Use a measuring spoon. Use an oil bottle.
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin – Use a measuring spoon. Use a spice container.
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika – Use a measuring spoon. Use a spice container.
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt – Use a measuring spoon. Use a salt container.
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper – Use a measuring spoon. Use a pepper container.

Green Sauce:

• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves – Use fresh cilantro. Use a measuring cup. Use a vegetable container.
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise – Use your preferred mayonnaise. Use a measuring cup. Use a mayonnaise jar.
• 1/4 cup sour cream – Use sour cream. Use a measuring cup. Use a sour cream container.
• 2 whole jalapeño chiles, roughly chopped – Use fresh jalapeños. Use a vegetable container.
• 2 cloves garlic – Use fresh garlic cloves. Use a garlic bulb.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil – Use a measuring spoon. Use an oil bottle.
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice – Use fresh juice. Use a measuring spoon. Use a juice bottle.
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – Use salt and pepper. Use salt and pepper containers.

Peruvian Yellow Rice:

• 1 cup jasmine rice – Use jasmine rice. Use a measuring cup. Use a rice package.
• 1 tablespoon butter/oil – Use butter or oil. Use a measuring spoon. Use a butter or oil container.
• ¼ cup onion, diced – Use yellow or white onion. Use a measuring cup. Use a vegetable container.
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced – Use fresh garlic cloves. Use a garlic bulb.
• 1 teaspoon turmeric – Use a measuring spoon. Use a spice container.
• 1/4 teaspoon EACH cumin, onion powder, salt, pepper – Use measuring spoons. Use spice containers.
• 2 cups chicken stock – Use chicken stock. Use a measuring cup. Use a stock container.
• 1 cup frozen peas – Use frozen peas. Use a measuring cup. Use a frozen food bag.

Preparation:

• Mince the garlic.
• Chop the jalapeños.
• Dice the onion.
• Measure out all ingredients.
• Wash and soak the rice.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce

These easy-to-follow instructions will guide you through each step of creating your delicious Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce:

1. Marinate Chicken: In a medium bowl, add all the ingredients for the chicken marinade and mix to combine. Reserve about ¼ of the mixture and set aside. Add in the chicken and mix until fully coated. Place in the fridge to marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Marinating enhances flavor and tenderizes the chicken, allowing the spices and acids to penetrate the meat.
2. Preheat Grill or Oven: When ready to cook, preheat grill to medium-high, or preheat oven to 450ºF. This would also be a good time to make rice, if serving with rice. Preheating ensures even cooking and consistent results.
3. Grill Chicken: Grill the chicken on both sides for at least 5-7 minutes per side (will vary depending on the cut of chicken) or until cooked through to 165ºF. Brush with the reserved marinade halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked through and safe to eat.
4. Bake Chicken: Place the chicken on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Brush with the reserved marinade halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked through and safe to eat.
5. Make Rice: Wash rice until water runs clear. Soak for 10-15 minutes then drain water. Sauté shallot and garlic in a pot with butter until soft. Add the rice and seasoning to the pot and stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil, then cover with lid and reduce heat to low. Cook on low heat for 15 minutes. Stir in frozen peas, cover with lid and rest for 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving. Soaking rice helps it cook evenly and prevents it from clumping.
6. Make Green Sauce: Add all the ingredients for the sauce to a blender and pulse for 30 seconds or until creamy. Taste and add salt & pepper. Blend until smooth for a creamy texture and consistent flavor.
7. Serve: Divide rice mixture into serving plates, top with grilled chicken and a drizzle of the green sauce. Enjoy! Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Beginner Tips and Notes: Your Peruvian Chicken Guide

Even simple recipes have a few tricks to make them even better:

• Marinate Chicken Long Enough: Enhances flavor and tenderizes the chicken, allowing the marinade to fully penetrate the meat.
• Use a Meat Thermometer: Ensures chicken is cooked through, preventing foodborne illnesses and ensuring safety.
• Wash Rice Thoroughly: Removes excess starch and prevents sticking, resulting in fluffy rice.
• Soak Rice: Helps it cook evenly, ensuring each grain is cooked through.
• Blend Green Sauce Until Smooth: Creates a creamy texture and consistent flavor, enhancing the overall experience.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Enhances flavor, providing a vibrant and authentic taste.

Serving Suggestions: Completing Your Peruvian Chicken Meal

This Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce is a complete meal on its own, but you can also enhance it with some complementary sides.

• Side Salad: Serve with a fresh green salad for a light and refreshing side, adding a crisp and vibrant component.
• Plantains: Adds a sweet and savory side, providing a warm and comforting addition.
• Avocado Slices: Adds a creamy and healthy side, enhancing the flavors and providing a rich component.
• Roasted Vegetables: Adds a healthy and flavorful side, enhancing the flavors and providing a nutritious addition.
• A side of black beans: provides protein and fiber, enhancing the nutritional value and providing a hearty addition.

Conclusion: A Simple and Satisfying Meal for Home Cooks

This Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce is a delightful meal that’s perfect for beginner cooks. It’s a fantastic way to create a flavorful and satisfying dish without any complicated techniques. I encourage you to try this recipe and make it your own. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices, herbs, and vegetables. Share your culinary creations and experiences in the comments below – I’d love to see your variations! This easy and versatile recipe is a game-changer for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or any time you need a quick and delicious meal. It’s a flavorful way to get a hearty meal on the table without any fuss. And the best part? It’s so easy to customize! You can adjust the ingredients to your liking, and even make it ahead of time.

This recipe is a perfect example of how simple ingredients, when combined with a little creativity and love, can create something truly special. It’s a reminder that cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating; it can be fun, creative, and incredibly rewarding. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to Peruvian cuisine, marinating techniques, and creating flavorful sauces, and a perfect example of a satisfying and crowd-pleasing meal. This recipe is a perfect example of how to make a complete and satisfying meal that everyone will love. It’s a chance to explore new flavors and create your own culinary masterpieces. It’s an invitation to gather around the table with loved ones and share a meal that’s both delicious and easy. So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking and create some Peruvian magic! This recipe is so good, it might just become your new favorite go-to meal for family dinners and casual get-togethers. It’s the perfect combination of flavorful, easy, and satisfying, and it’s so easy to make. You can even get the kids involved in the cooking process – they’ll love helping to measure the spices, wash the rice, and blend the green sauce. It’s a fun and interactive way to get them interested in cooking. And who knows, maybe this will be the recipe that inspires them to become the next generation of chefs.

This Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce is more than just a meal; it’s a memory in the making. It’s the kind of meal that you’ll remember making for cozy dinners, the kind of dish that you’ll crave on a warm evening, the kind of meal that you’ll always associate with good times and happy moments. It’s a meal that’s made with love, and it’s meant to be shared with love. So, gather your ingredients, grab your grill or oven, and get ready to create some delicious memories. This Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce is waiting to be shared, and it’s sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Enjoy! And don’t forget to share your creations in the comments below – I’d love to see your variations! We can all learn from each other and inspire each other to try new things in the kitchen. Cooking is a journey, and we’re all in it together. So, let’s get cooking and create some deliciousness!