Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce - Special Colorful Family Dinner Ideas

Looking for a Colorful Healthy Dinner that’s bursting with flavor and totally not boring chicken? Meet your new obsession — Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce! This dish has it all: juicy marinated chicken, golden spiced rice, and that dreamy, creamy green sauce that makes you want to lick the spoon (no judgment here).

This isn’t your average Tuesday night meal, folks. It’s one of those Special Family Dinner Ideas that makes everyone pause mid-bite and say, “Whoa, what is this?” You start with tender chicken — thighs, breasts, drumsticks, whatever you’ve got — and marinate it in warm, earthy spices that hit all the right notes. Then, grill it for that smoky perfection or bake it if you’d rather kick back and let the oven do the work. Either way, you’re landing in flavor paradise.

The rice? Oh, the rice! Seasoned Peruvian yellow rice adds that perfect balance of cozy and exotic. It’s the kind of dish that fits every vibe — Dinner Ideas Warm Weather for those sunny weekends or hearty Dinner Dishes Family for chill nights in. And don’t even get me started on the ají verde, that silky green sauce that turns every bite into pure joy.

Need Side Ideas For Chicken or Chicken Side Dishes Healthy? Honestly, this meal doesn’t need much. Maybe a crisp salad or roasted veggies if you want to go extra, but IMO, it’s a complete Food To Impress situation all on its own.

Whether you’re feeding the fam or planning Group Dinner Recipes with friends, this Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce is the kind of Salty Dinner Recipe magic that brings everyone back for seconds (and maybe thirds). Ready to make it? Let’s get cooking!

Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce - Special Colorful Family Dinner Ideas

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 4 | Author: Alma | Category: Dinner

Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce is a flavor-packed feast that’s hearty, colorful, and perfect for impressing at dinnertime. Juicy, marinated chicken meets fragrant yellow rice, all topped with a zesty, creamy green sauce that ties everything together beautifully.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1.5–2 pounds of chicken (thighs, breasts, or your favorite cut)
• 2–3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice or white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons oil (any kind you prefer)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Green Sauce:

• 1 cup cilantro leaves, packed
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 2 jalapeños, roughly chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Yellow Rice:

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil
• ¼ cup diced onion
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• ¼ teaspoon each of cumin, onion powder, salt, and pepper
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine the garlic, lime juice, oil, and all the spices. Stir well, then set aside about a quarter of the mixture for basting later. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (overnight gives even better flavor!).
2. Cook the Chicken:
   Grill Method: Preheat your grill to medium-high. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade halfway through. Grill until the internal temperature hits 165°F.
   Oven Method: Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil, place the chicken on it, and bake for around 30 minutes or until cooked through. Brush with reserved marinade halfway.
3. Make the Yellow Rice: Rinse the rice until the water runs clear and let it soak for 10–15 minutes. Heat butter in a pot, add onion and garlic, and sauté until soft and fragrant. Stir in the rice, turmeric, and other spices for a minute, then pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add frozen peas, cover again, and let rest for 5–10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
4. Prepare the Green Sauce: Add all the sauce ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
5. Assemble and Serve: Spoon a generous serving of yellow rice onto each plate, top with grilled or baked chicken, and finish with a drizzle of that irresistible green sauce. Enjoy every flavorful bite!

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