Roasted Peruvian Chicken with Aji Verde Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy roasted chicken infused with traditional Peruvian spices served alongside a vibrant and tangy aji verde sauce made from fresh jalapeños and cilantro. This latin american ready in about 95 minutes pairs whole chicken, olive oil, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp lime juice to form a spice rub. Rub this mixture all over the 3 lbs whole chicken, making sure to coat inside the cavity.
  2. Step 2: Place the seasoned chicken on a roasting pan breast-side up and roast in the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden brown and crispy.
  3. Step 3: While the chicken roasts, prepare the aji verde sauce by blending 2 seeded jalapeño peppers, 1 cup packed cilantro leaves, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp white vinegar, 1 large garlic clove, and 1/2 tsp salt in a food processor until smooth and vibrant green.
  4. Step 4: Remove the roasted chicken from the oven, let rest for 10 minutes. Carve and serve with generous spoonfuls of the aji verde sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Roasted Peruvian Chicken with Aji Verde Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Roasted Peruvian Chicken with Aji Verde Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep whole chicken from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Peruvian Chicken with Aji Verde Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Roasted Peruvian Chicken with Aji Verde Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Roasted Peruvian Chicken with Aji Verde Sauce?

Latin American latin american like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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