Description
Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that brings the warmth of Peru straight to your table. Imagine tender chicken marinated in zesty spices, served over fluffy long-grain rice and drizzled with a creamy green sauce made from fresh cilantro and pepitas. This delightful meal not only tantalizes your taste buds but also creates unforgettable memories, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 cup long-grain rice (or jasmine rice)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 serrano peppers (optional)
- 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds), toasted
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp vinegar (white or apple cider)
- Water as needed for consistency
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Finely chop garlic, cilantro, and green onions.
- Marinate chicken with olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, lime juice, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes.
- Rinse rice under cold water until clear. In a pot, sauté chopped onions in olive oil until translucent. Add rice and stir.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until tender; fluff with a fork.
- Sear marinated chicken in an oiled skillet over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
- Blend together cilantro, toasted pepitas, Greek yogurt or sour cream, lime juice, vinegar, salt & pepper until smooth. Adjust consistency with water if needed.
- Serve the chicken over rice topped with green sauce and garnished with green onions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Searing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Peruvian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 plate (320g)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 675mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: For added flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. You can customize by adding vegetables like peas or bell peppers or substituting chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option.