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Overhead view of four chicken thighs with cilantro lime crema poured over top.
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5 from 6 votes

Air Fryer Peruvian Chicken

Crispy, juicy, and smoky, this Air Fryer Peruvian Chicken paired with a creamy cilantro lime crema makes for a mouthwatering weeknight dinner. This chicken recipe is bursting with flavor thanks to the simple herbs and spices in the marinade. You will love the fresh, bold taste of this recipe.
Prep Time1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Peruvian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 428kcal
Author: Justin Coit

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs or breasts

To Garnish:

  • fresh chopped cilantro.

For the Cilantro Lime Crema Sauce

  • ½ jalapeno with seeds and membranes removed
  • 1 cup cilantro
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ½ lime juiced
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ cup Greek Yogurt
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise or veganaise optional

Instructions

  • Add the garlic, lime juice, paprika, salt, pepper, cumin, and olive oil into a zip lock bag with the chicken and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour to 3 hours.
  • While the chicken is marinating, make the sauce: add all of the sauce ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend on high until smooth. Optional: Add the mayonnaise or veganaise for an even creamier sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
  • Once the chicken has finished marinating, add the chicken pieces into the air fryer and cook at 370 F for: chicken thighs- 18 to 25 minutes (depending on thickness of the pieces), chicken breasts 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Drizzle the sauce on top the chicken and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Video

Notes

  • The easiest way to make sure the chicken is ready is by using an instant-read thermometer. The chicken should have an internal temperature of 165F.
  • Make sure to remove the seeds and membrane from the jalapeno before adding it to the food processor.
  • Bring the lime to room temperature and roll it on the counter to make juicing it easier.
  • If you have time, marinating the chicken overnight makes the Peruvian chicken even more flavorful.
  • When making Peruvian chicken in the air fryer, make sure there’s space between the pieces of chicken in the air fryer basket so the hot air can reach every part of the chicken. It’ll help make sure your chicken crisps up nicely. 

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 963mg | Potassium: 349mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1090IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg