Why Peruvian Chicken and Rice with Green Sauce Rocks

You catch the smell through the steam vent and suddenly you are starving. That bold mix of garlic, cumin, and a little heat from jalapeo pokes right through the kitchen air. Its kinda funny how a scent can grab you so hard before you even see the food.

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Then you spot the float valve doing its thing on the pressure cooker and realize dinners nearly done. You feel that tug of impatience and excitementlike something real good is about to come outta that pot. The steams got you hopeful and your stomachs got you hungry.

You remember the creamy green sauce waiting for you, cool and soothing, ready to splash over the rich chicken. Juicy thighs soaked in that bright marinade, cooked so tender it falls off the bone. Its not just dinner, its a little moment of joy you didnt know you needed.

The Real Reasons You Will Love This Method

• You get that deep broth depth flavor without babysitting the stove for hours.
• The sealing ring keeps all the juiciness right where it belongs. No drying out here.
• Quick release lets you get right to the good part, no long waits after cooking.
• The chicken comes out so tender it sorta melts in your mouth.
• No oven needed, just your pressure cooker doing all the work.
• Marinade flavors soak in faster because the pressure helps push it deep.
• Cleanups quick since you use just one pot and no extra messy pans.

Your Simple Ingredient Checklist

• 6-8 chicken thighs or breasts your choice here, but thighs got more fat and flavor
• ⅓ cup olive oil or melted butter you need the fat to carry all that taste
• 6 cloves garlic dont skimp, garlic is the backbone of this recipe
• 1 jalapeo, seeded if you dont want too much heat, and chopped
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin that smoky earthiness is key
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky vibe
• 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper simple seasoning done right
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro and/or parsley fresh herbs brighten things up
• For the sauce: 1 mango and 1 avocado, both chopped and ready to blend
• ½ cup each of mayo and plain Greek yogurt makes the green sauce creamy and tangy
• Fresh herbs again for the sauce: ½ cup cilantro, ¼ cup parsley, plus 2 jalapeos (seeded if you want) and 2 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice and 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil finish the sauce perfectly

These ingredients come together to make something wholesome and full of flavor without that extra fuss. You gotta get that marinade just right so your chicken gets that authentic taste right down to the bone.

The Exact Process From Start to Finish

Step one, toss olive oil, garlic, jalapeo, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro or parsley into your blender or food processor. You blend that until its all smooth and ready to be the marinade.

Step two, slather that marinade all over your chicken in a large bowl or a zip-top bag. Make sure every piece is coated because you want that flavor in every bite. Toss it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or longer if you got the time.

Step three, set your pressure cooker on the counter and make sure the sealing ring is on good. You need it tight so that float valve can do its job. Pour a half cup of water or broth if you like in the bottom for that broth depth.

Step four, place your marinated chicken inside the cooker. Close the lid, lock it, and set it for about 12 minutes on high pressure. Once it hits pressure, youll see the float valve pop up to show its locked in.

Step five, when the timer beeps, do a quick release to let out the steam fast. Watch that float valve drop so you know its safe to open. Careful though, steams hot and can jump.

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Step six, while the chickens cooking or after its done, blend up your creamy green sauce with mango, avocado, mayo, Greek yogurt, jalapeos, garlic, herbs, lime juice, and toasted sesame oil. Serve that lush sauce on top or on the side and dig in.

Valve Hacks You Need to Know

• When you do quick release, stand back and use a wooden spoon or towel to lift the valve safely without getting burned.
• If you want juicier chicken, try slow release for 5-10 minutes before quick releasing the rest of the pressure.
• Keep an extra sealing ring handy because sometimes they wear out and swap them out to keep your cooker sealing perfectly.

Your First Taste After the Wait

That first bite hits you with a punch of garlic and spice, warmed up by cumin and smoked paprika. You can almost feel the juices soak into every nook of the chicken. Its tender, and it kinda just falls apart on your fork.

The creamy green sauce is cool and bright, with smooth avocado and a hint of sweetness from mango. You feel that tangy lime tingle right after the mild heat from jalapeo. Its the perfect counterbalance to the rich chicken.

Together they make one heck of a combo that keeps you going back for another bite. You might even lick your plate a bit cause the sauce is just that good.

Its a mix of warmth and coolness, spice and sweetness that kinda wraps your senses up in a cozy place. And all that came from your trusty pressure cooker doing the heavy lifting.

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Making It Last All Week Long

• Store leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to 4 days. The chicken keeps its texture pretty well but you gotta keep it cold.
• Freeze cooked chicken in portion-sized containers. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in your pressure cooker or microwave for best results without drying it out.
• If you want quick meals, shred the chicken and mix with some sauce. Use it in wraps, salads, or bowls all week long. Its super versatile and keeps you fed fast.

The FAQ Section You Actually Need

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? Yeah, you totally can. Breasts cook a bit faster and can dry out if you overdo it, so keep an eye on timing and maybe reduce cooking time by a couple minutes.
• What if I dont have a sealing ring? You gotta have a good sealing ring to keep pressure in. If its worn or missing, the cooker wont pressurize right. You can order replacements that fit your model easy.
• Do I have to use fresh jalapeos? Not really, but fresh gives you the best heat and flavor. You can swap with jarred jalapeos if you want but reduce the quantity cause theyre often pickled and more intense.
• Why quick release instead of slow release? Quick release stops cooking fast so the chicken doesnt get mushy. Slow release is good if you want juicier meat but takes longer and needs more attention.
• Can I make the creamy green sauce ahead of time? Sure thing. Just store it in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed on top to keep air out. It lasts a day or two in the fridge but best fresh.
• Is the broth depth really necessary? Yeah, it helps the cooker come to pressure and adds flavor to steam inside. A bit of broth or water makes a big difference in how your chicken turns out.

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Peruvian Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce: A Pressure Cooker Treat

This bold and juicy Peruvian-inspired chicken is tenderized in a pressure cooker and paired with a smooth, tangy herb sauce made with avocado, mango, lime, and herbs. Bright flavors meet quick cooking in this delicious weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 6 people

Calories 619 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Pressure cooker for cooking the chicken
• 1 Blender or food processor for blending marinade and sauce
• 1 Large bowl or zip-top bag for marinating chicken

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 6-8 chicken thighs or breasts your choice here, but thighs got more fat and flavor
• ⅓ cup olive oil or melted butter you need the fat to carry all that taste
• 6 cloves garlic don’t skimp, garlic is the backbone of this recipe
• 1 jalapeño seeded if you don’t want too much heat, and chopped
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin that smoky earthiness is key
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky vibe
• 1 teaspoon salt simple seasoning done right
• 1 teaspoon pepper simple seasoning done right
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro and/or parsley fresh herbs brighten things up
• 1 mango chopped
• 1 avocado chopped
• ½ cup mayo for the green sauce
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt for the green sauce
• ½ cup fresh cilantro for the sauce
• ¼ cup fresh parsley for the sauce
• 2 jalapeños seeded if desired for the sauce
• 2 cloves garlic for the sauce
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice to finish the sauce
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil to finish the sauce

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Blend olive oil, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chopped herbs until smooth to make the marinade.
• Coat chicken thoroughly with marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or longer.
• Prepare pressure cooker with a sealing ring. Pour ½ cup of water or broth in the bottom.
• Place marinated chicken in cooker, seal lid, and cook for 12 minutes on high pressure.
• Quick release pressure carefully. Open lid once float valve drops.
• While chicken cooks or afterwards, blend mango, avocado, mayo, Greek yogurt, jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, parsley, lime juice, and sesame oil into sauce. Serve with chicken.

Notes

Serve chicken with rice and garnish with fresh herbs or avocado slices for extra appeal. Great for meal prep – store leftovers and reheat gently for best texture.