Peruvian Green Sauce Chicken Thighs

Crisp-edged sear-roasted chicken thighs get a bright Peruvian-style green sauce alongside sweet July corn, green beans, and Walla Walla onion for a colorful summer dinner.

Ingredients

  • Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Chicken Thighs Value Pack, preferably bone-in skin-on thighs
    1 lb $2.79
  • Fresh Green Beans
    8 oz, trimmed $2.19
  • Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob-Each
    2 ears, kernels cut off $0.50
  • Private Selection® Walla Walla Sweet Onions
    1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced $3.29
  • Organic Cilantro
    1/2 bunch, tender stems included $1.69
  • Fresh Organic Limes - Each
    1 lime, zested and juiced $1.29
  • Fresh Jalapeno Peppers
    1 small jalapeño, seeded if desired $1.99
  • Garlic
    2 cloves $0.79
  • Olive oil
    2 tablespoons, divided
  • Mayonnaise
    3 tablespoons
  • Ground cumin
    1 teaspoon
  • Smoked paprika
    1 teaspoon
  • Dried oregano
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
    to taste
  • Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc White Wine
    750 ml $20.99

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Trim the green beans, cut the corn kernels from the cobs, thinly slice the Walla Walla onion, zest and juice the lime, mince 1 garlic clove, and pat the chicken thighs very dry.
  2. Season the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, lime zest, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper, rubbing the spices all over the thighs while keeping the skin as dry as possible.
  3. Make the green sauce in a mini food processor or immersion-blender cup, or finely chop by hand: combine cilantro, jalapeño, remaining garlic clove, mayonnaise, lime juice, 1 tablespoon water, and a pinch of salt until spoonable; refrigerate while the chicken cooks.
  4. Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken skin-side down for 5 minutes, then flip and sear 2 minutes more.
  5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F, about 15–22 minutes for bone-in thighs. If using boneless thighs, start checking after 8–10 minutes in the oven. Rest the chicken on a plate for 5 minutes.
  6. Careful: the skillet handle will be extremely hot, so keep an oven mitt or dry towel over the handle while finishing the vegetables on the stove. Leave about 1 tablespoon drippings in the skillet, set over medium heat, add the onion and cook 2 minutes, then add green beans, corn, minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and a splash of water; sauté 5–7 minutes until crisp-tender and glossy.
  7. Plate the green bean-corn sauté, top with the sear-roasted chicken thighs, spoon the cilantro sauce over the chicken, and serve with extra sauce on the side.

Total time: 45 minutes

Estimated cost: $8–$12 using listed ingredients, plus pantry staples

Health notes: About 600 calories per serving with high protein, moderate carbs, and plenty of vegetables.

Drink pairing: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc complements the limey cilantro sauce and sweet corn.

Wine picks:

  • Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc White Wine $20.99 750 ml
  • M de Minuty Provence France Rose Wine $26.99 750 ml

Why it works: Primary pick: a zippy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to echo the lime, cilantro and jalapeño—its high acidity and herbaceous notes will cut the chicken’s fat and refresh the palate. Second option: a dry Provence rosé for a summer-friendly, slightly saline/stone-fruit profile that complements the smoky-spiced chicken and sweet corn while still standing up to the mayo-based green sauce.