Peruvian Grilled Chicken Sauce (Print)

Smoky Peruvian-style grilled chicken with tangy, herb-packed creamy green sauce, perfect for flavor-packed dinners.

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken and Marinade

01 - 1 whole chicken (1.4–1.8 kg), butterflied
02 - 30 ml olive oil
03 - 30 ml fresh lime juice
04 - 15 ml soy sauce
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 15 ml Aji Amarillo paste or 10 ml paprika
07 - 10 ml ground cumin
08 - 10 ml smoked paprika
09 - 10 ml kosher salt
10 - 5 ml freshly ground black pepper

→ Creamy Green Sauce

11 - 60 g fresh cilantro leaves, packed
12 - 120 ml mayonnaise
13 - 120 ml sour cream
14 - 45 ml fresh lime juice
15 - 1–2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
16 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
17 - 2 ml salt
18 - 2 ml black pepper

# Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, Aji Amarillo paste, ground cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
02 - Coat the butterflied chicken evenly with the marinade, ensuring the mixture reaches all surfaces. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, or overnight for optimal flavor infusion.
03 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (200–230°C). Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Place the marinated chicken skin-side down over direct heat. Grill for 10–15 minutes per side, turning as needed, until the skin is golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 75°C.
05 - While grilling, blend cilantro, mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, jalapeños, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy.
06 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 minutes to retain juices.
07 - Portion the chicken and serve immediately with generous spoonfuls of the creamy green sauce.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Aji Amarillo paste imparts authentic Peruvian flavor; substitute with chili paste if unavailable.
02 - For a spicier sauce, retain jalapeño seeds or increase the amount to taste.
03 - Resting the chicken after grilling ensures a moist and tender result.
04 - The creamy green sauce also pairs well with grilled meats or as a dip for raw vegetables.