Peruvian-Style Roast Chicken with Green Sauce

 

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 6 medium garlic cloves peeled
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice about 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest about 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or mixed parts), about 3 lbs

FOR THE GREEN SAUCE

• 3 jalapeño chili peppers, seeded if desired (I use about half the seeds for a medium-hot sauce), and roughly chopped
• 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ½ cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann's
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, from one lime
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 
  

Instructions

• Blend the garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, lime zest, oregano, honey, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and oil in a blender. Place the chicken in a large sealable bag and pour in the marinade, then move the chicken around to ensure all the pieces are coated. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 4 and up to 24 hours. Turn the bag occasionally to ensure even marinating.
• Heat the oven to 450ºF and set a rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top (you can also lay chicken directly on the foil if you want). Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade set them on the tray with a little room between each piece. Drizzle about a teaspoon of the marinade over each piece.
• Roast the chicken until the skin is golden and the temperature at the thickest part reaches 165ºF on an instant read thermometer, 30 to 40 minutes (if using breasts, check them after 20 to 25 minutes). Remove from the oven and let them rest, covered loosely with foil, for at least 5 minutes before serving.
• While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce. In a blender or food processor, add the cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, lime juice, scallions, salt, honey, and cumin. Blend until smooth. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream and blend until just mixed. Taste and adjust with salt or lime juice, as needed.
• Serve the chicken with the sauce and lime wedges on the side.