Description
A flavorful Peruvian-inspired chicken recipe featuring marinated chicken thighs cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer, served with a fresh jalapeño yogurt sauce and optional coriander rice for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 Chicken Thighs
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Ground Cumin
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable or Canola Oil
- Juice of 1 Lime (about 15ml)
- 1.5 tablespoons Chili Paste
Sauce
- 20g Jalapeños, chopped
- 140g Yogurt (⅓ cup)
- 14g Coriander, chopped
- 1 Garlic Clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- Juice of 1/2 Lime
Coriander Rice (Optional)
- 1 cup Basmati Rice, rinsed
- 1 ½ cups Water
- 5g Chopped Coriander
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine salt, soy sauce, ground cumin, paprika, black pepper, minced garlic, vegetable or canola oil, lime juice, and chili paste to make the marinade. Toss the chicken thighs in this mixture ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Marinate the Chicken: Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, ideally overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
- Make the Jalapeño Sauce: In a blender or with a stick blender, combine jalapeños, yogurt, chopped coriander, minced garlic, olive oil, and lime juice. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding a little water to adjust to mayonnaise-like consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and additional lime juice if needed.
- Cook the Coriander Rice (Optional): Rinse basmati rice under cold water until water runs clear. Cook rice according to package instructions using 1 ½ cups water. Once cooked and drained, stir in the chopped coriander to add freshness.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (355°F). Place the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cook for 18-25 minutes depending on size, until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy and golden.
- Serve: Plate the air-fried chicken with coriander rice if using. Drizzle with the jalapeño yogurt sauce and offer remaining lime wedges on the side for added zest.
Notes
- Marinating overnight intensifies the flavors and tenderizes the chicken perfectly.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, leave some jalapeño seeds in or add extra chili paste to the marinade.
- Ensure the air fryer is preheated for the crispiest skin.
- The coriander rice is optional but adds a lovely fresh herb flavor that complements the chicken well.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, the chicken can also be baked in an oven at 200°C (390°F) for about 30-35 minutes until cooked through and skin is crispy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Peruvian-inspired
