Peruvian Grilled Chicken Salad
A vibrant Peruvian Grilled Chicken Salad featuring citrus-marinated, smoky grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, and a garlicky aji verde for a bright, flavorful bowl.
Ingredients
Chicken & Marinade
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, about 1.5 lbs
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens romaine, butter lettuce, or baby greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 4 radishes thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 ripe avocado sliced
- ½ cup cooked corn optional
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Aji Verde (Peruvian green sauce)
- 1 cup packed cilantro leaves stems removed
- ¼ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 1 jalapeño or 1 small aji amarillo, seeded for less heat
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional finishing
- Lime wedges smoked paprika, or toasted pepitas
Instructions
- Combine minced garlic, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat. Let rest at room temperature 15–30 minutes or refrigerate up to 4 hours.
- In a blender or food processor, combine cilantro, mayonnaise or yogurt, jalapeño, garlic, lime juice, and olive oil. Blend until smooth. Thin with water if needed and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat grill or grill pan over medium-high. Oil grates. Grill chicken 4–6 minutes per side for thighs (less for breasts) until 165°F (74°C). Rest 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.
- Arrange greens, tomatoes, bell pepper, radishes, onion, corn (if using), and avocado. Top with sliced chicken and drizzle with aji verde. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
- Aji amarillo adds authentic Peruvian flavor; substitute with jalapeño if unavailable.
- Make aji verde up to 3 days ahead; store in an airtight container.
- Leftover grilled chicken keeps 3–4 days refrigerated; reheat gently or serve cold.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 38gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 680mgSugar: 4g
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