Peruvian cuisine is starting to gain recognition, thanks to a new generation of chefs who are digging into their roots and bringing back the classic dishes of their youth to a broader audience of adventurous eaters around the world. Many of these chefs are the so-called first generation in the United States and have had the chance to learn firsthand all the classic dishes from their moms and abuelas (grandmothers).
Ají de gallina is one of these traditional dishes: Poached chicken slathered in a spicy and creamy nut-based sauce is served over white rice and boiled potatoes. Bright yellow—amarillo—in color, thanks to the famous ají amarillo, and rich from the unusual sauce of ground walnuts, this dish is hearty, filling, and delicious. Don't be intimidated by how complex it sounds, the recipe is broken down into bite-sized pieces and is well worth the effort.
Heavily influenced by Asian immigration into the country, Peruvian cuisine nowadays is a melting pot of Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, African, Andean, and local techniques, flavors, and ingredients. Ají de gallina is no exception as it may find its origin in a sweeter Catalonian dish that later evolved into what we know now as a savory dish combining European, South American, and Asian ingredients.
Since finding ají amarillo at your local supermarket might be difficult, go straight to any Latin markets or Hispanic bodegas in your area: If they don't carry fresh ají, buy frozen or jarred paste. They both will yield a flavorful dish. If you can't find ají amarillo in any form, replace with Scotch bonnet or habanero; their fruity and spicy flavors will make fantastic substitutions.
"It's a mild, creamy chicken dish that was delicious over rice and definitely soul-warming, especially on a cold night. I had never worked with aji amarillo peppers and didn't want too spicy of a dish for my family, so I only used 3 peppers, but next time I think I'll add more." —Carrie Parente
Ingredients
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4 yellow potatoes
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4 slices white bread
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3/4 cup evaporated milk, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons more if needed
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1 1/2 pounds chicken breast
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4 cups chicken stock
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3 to 4 yellow ají peppers
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1/2 cup vegetable oil
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 large onion, finely chopped
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3 tablespoons coarsely chopped walnuts
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3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
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3 cups cooked white rice
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2 large hard-boiled eggs, quartered
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10 black olives, pitted and halved
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Cook the yellow potatoes in salted water until tender when pierced with a fork.
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Let cool, peel, cut into quarters, and set aside.
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Place the bread in a small bowl and pour the 3/4 cup of evaporated milk over it to soak. Set aside.
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Place the chicken in a pot with the chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
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Cook for 10 to 15 minutes until chicken is just barely cooked through.
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Set chicken aside to cool, reserving the stock.
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Strain the stock and reserve 2 cups.
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Shred the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces.
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Remove stems and seeds from the peppers.
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In a blender, process the peppers with vegetable oil. Blend until smooth.
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Add to a medium saucepan the vegetable oil and ají mixture. Add the garlic and onion to the pan and then cook until the onion is soft.
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Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool.
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Add the soaked bread, walnuts, and Parmesan cheese to the blender and process until smooth. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons evaporated milk, or even some of the strained chicken stock, if the mixture is not smooth.
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Add the cooked onion mixture into the blender and process briefly until well combined.
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Place the yellow mixture into a pan and add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved chicken stock. Stir together until combined.
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Bring the sauce to a low simmer. Add in the chicken and heat until warmed through, adding more chicken stock if the sauce is too thick.
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One portion of chicken goes over 1/2 cup of cooked white rice, garnished with a few quarters of yellow potatoes, a couple of quartered hard-boiled eggs, and black olives. Enjoy.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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843 | Calories |
34g | Fat |
81g | Carbs |
54g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 to 6 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 843 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 34g | 43% |
Saturated Fat 6g | 30% |
Cholesterol 175mg | 58% |
Sodium 583mg | 25% |
Total Carbohydrate 81g | 30% |
Dietary Fiber 6g | 21% |
Total Sugars 12g | |
Protein 54g | |
Vitamin C 136mg | 679% |
Calcium 218mg | 17% |
Iron 6mg | 33% |
Potassium 1623mg | 35% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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