Grilled Chicken Sauce Recipe

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The simple marinade and vibrant green sauce (aji verde) in this Peruvian chicken dish deliver big flavors.

Boneless chicken thighs are marinated in a mixture of garlic, soy sauce, and cumin before being served alongside this incredible creamy green sauce, which gives the dish layers of complex and genuine Peruvian flavors.

The vibrant green sauce in this recipe is similar to my favorite Mojo Sauce and Peruvian Aji Amarillo and is made with jalapeno, cilantro, and fresh lime juice; the flavor and texture are creamy but made tangier with the addition of Greek yogurt.

It goes great with this chicken and is also good on salads, tacos, and roasted vegetables.

This meal is one of my favorites because it is quick, easy, and unexpected. It is also the ideal option for entertaining because most of the preparation can be done in advance. Lastly, you can forget about watching the meat and spending hours cleaning the kitchen.

How to Make a Simple Pan Sauce for Chicken

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Lemon-Thyme Sauce đź”—

This winning technique for grilled chicken pecks out any dry—or bland—results. A few juicy secrets: Choose small cuts, and pound them flat so they cook quickly and evenly. Then, for maximum flavor without flare-ups, finish with a robust sauce like this lemon-thyme number.

Prep: 20min

Total: 50min

Ingredients:

  • 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (each about 8 ounces)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 3/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grill
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Instruction:

  1. Place chicken breasts between two layers of plastic wrap and lightly pound them to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch). Let stand at room temperature about 30 minutes.
  2. While chicken rests, whisk together lemon juice, thyme, sugar, red-pepper flakes, oil, and 2 teaspoons salt.
  3. Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper. Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking; let grates get very hot (this ensures a good sear without drying out meat).
  4. Oil grates and cook chicken, turning occasionally, until charred in places and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes total. Transfer to a serving dish. Pour or spoon sauce over pieces while still warm; serve.

FAQ

What condiment is good on chicken?

You want the chicken to slowly cook to perfection and then add the sauce during the final 10 to 15 minutes of cooking. Most grillers will apply the sauce first and then continue to baste the chicken with sauce while it cooks. This is a common practice, but it can lead to burning your chicken.

Can I use grilling sauce as a marinade?

Honey mustard is a tasty alternative to regular mustard that goes well with both grilled and crispy chicken. You can make your own honey mustard at home by combining dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, and oregano. It’s easy, affordable, and healthy!

What should I serve with grilled chicken?

Yes, you can easily transform the Heinz BBQ sauce I used in this recipe into a marinade. It doesn’t take much to make the sauce into the marinade, and it tastes great either way!

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