Peruvian-Style Grilled Chicken with Aji Verde Sauce
Juicy grilled chicken marinated in zesty Peruvian spices, served with a bright, creamy aji verde sauce for a vibrant and flavorful meal. This Latin American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup packed cilantro leaves
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 garlic clove (for sauce), minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (for sauce)
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat the chicken evenly and marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: While the chicken marinates, prepare the aji verde sauce by blending 1 cup packed cilantro leaves, 1 seeded and chopped medium jalapeño, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the chicken thighs for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely charred at the edges.
- Step 4: Remove the chicken from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve topped with 1/3 cup of the aji verde sauce per serving for a fresh, tangy complement.









