Description
Savory Peruvian‑style grilled chicken skewers marinated in tangy spices, served with a vibrant avocado‑cilantro aji verde sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into cubes
- 3 tbsp lime juice (about 1/2 lime)
- 2 tbsp vegetable or avocado oil
- 2 tbsp paprika (or aji panca paste)
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (2–3 cloves)
- 1/2 tsp Mexican oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1 tsp honey for slight sweetness
- For Aji Verde Sauce: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, 1 jalapeño (seeded), 1 tbsp aji amarillo paste or aji panca, 1 cup cilantro, 2 tbsp chopped mint (optional), 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp honey, salt to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, oil, paprika, cumin, soy sauce, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper (and honey if using).
- Add chicken, toss to coat, cover and refrigerate 2–4 hours (or overnight).
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes.
- Thread chicken onto skewers, packing pieces close.
- Preheat grill to medium‑high. Oil grates.
- Grill skewers 5–6 minutes per side, until charred and internal temp reaches 165 °F.
- Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, combine sauce ingredients and blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning and consistency with water or more lime.
- Serve skewers hot, drizzled with or dipped into the aji verde sauce.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juiciness; breasts also work for leaner result.
- Marinating longer (overnight) yields deeper flavor.
- For milder sauce, remove jalapeño seeds.
- Keep leftover sauce refrigerated up to 4 days.
- Serve with rice, corn, salad or potatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer + sauce
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 574 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 142 mg