PERUVIAN ROAST CHICKEN (POLLO A LA BRASA)

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Peruvian Roast Chicken (Pollo a la Brasa) image

This flavor-packed Pollo a la Brasa is a fan favorite at Chef Erik Ramirez's restaurant, Llama Inn. The marinade blends powerful ingredients from East and West, but it's the aji verde, a cilantro-chile sauce, that truly completes the dish.

Provided by Erik Ramirez

Categories     main-dish

Time P1DT3h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

13 ounces ground bean sauce (fermented soybean paste), preferably Lee Kum Kee brand; available online and Asian specialty stores
1/2 cup aji amarillo paste (yellow hot pepper paste), preferably Doña Isabel brand, available online and Latin specialty stores
3 tablespoons chicken stock, or water
3 tablespoons ground cumin
1/4 cup sunflower oil, or any neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed
6 cloves garlic, about 3 tablespoons minced
4 sprigs oregano (or 1 tablespoon dried oregano), about 3 tablespoons minced
3 1/2 pounds whole chicken
1 poblano pepper
3 jalapeño peppers
1 bunch cilantro, cold
1/2 cup white wine vinegar, cold
1 large egg yolk, cold
1 cup canola oil, cold
Kosher salt, to taste

Steps:

  • Marinade: In a bowl, mix together ground bean paste and aji amarillo paste. Add chicken stock, cumin, and sunflower oil. Peel garlic cloves, then use a Microplane to grate the garlic into the marinade. Finely chop oregano and add it to the marinade. Stir to combine all of the ingredients.
  • Marinate chicken: Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a rack. Spoon marinade onto chicken, liberally covering all surfaces of the bird, including the cavity. Carefully place a heaping tablespoon of the marinade under the skin of each breast. Marinate, covered or uncovered, in the refrigerator, at least overnight and up to 24 hours. (Note: You'll have enough marinade for 2 chickens. Store leftover marinade in a lidded container in the refrigerator up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month.)
  • Roast chicken, part 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, preferably convection. Meanwhile, remove chicken from the refrigerator and let rest at room temperature 20-30 minutes. Roast for 20-25 minutes. (Total roasting time will be 45-60 minutes, depending on oven and size of the bird.)
  • Aji Verde, part 1: Roast poblano and jalapeño peppers by placing directly over the flame of a gas burner set to medium-high. Char on all sides. (Alternatively, peppers can be roasted on a grill or under a broiler in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until charred.) Place charred peppers in a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let rest, 20-30 minutes. Steam will continue to cook the peppers and soften the skin for easy removal.
  • Roast chicken, part 2: After the first 20-25 minutes, rotate the chicken 180 degrees and continue roasting, another 20-35 minutes. Check temperature: A thermometer placed in the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone, should register 160 degrees F. (Temperature will continue to rise after removing chicken from oven.) If necessary, continue roasting and rotating the pan, 10 minutes at a time, until temperature reaches 160 F. Then remove from oven and let rest, 20 minutes.
  • Aji Verde, part 2: After the peppers have rested, remove plastic wrap. Under running water, use your fingers to gently remove charred skin, stems and seeds. Dry peppers between layers of paper towels and set aside. Remove cilantro leaves and set aside, discarding the stems. Place peppers into a blender, followed by cilantro, vinegar, and egg yolk. Starting the blender at low speed, gradually raise it to medium-high to combine, 10 seconds. With motor on, slowly drizzle in half of the oil to begin emulsifying the sauce. Turn off blender, scrape down the sides, and salt to taste. Turn on blender and continue drizzling in the remaining oil. Pour into a serving bowl and set aside.
  • Carve chicken: As you carve, try to keep the skin intact for maximum flavor distribution. First, cut away the thigh and leg in one piece; then separate the thigh from the leg. Repeat on other side. Cut down the center breastbone to remove the breast meat from the bone; cut the breasts in half crosswise. Remove the wings. Arrange chicken on a serving platter and serve with Aji Verde on the side.

Nyaradzo Dube
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This chicken is amazing! The marinade is perfect and the chicken is so juicy and flavorful. I served it with the green sauce and it was a perfect combination.


Angela Ledama
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I've made this chicken several times now and it's always a hit. It's so easy to make and the flavor is amazing. I love that I can adjust the spice level to my liking.


Bret Dread
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This is the best roast chicken I've ever had. The marinade is incredible and the chicken is so juicy and tender. I highly recommend this recipe.


Amora Cotto
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I'm not a big fan of chicken, but this recipe changed my mind. The marinade was so flavorful and the chicken was cooked perfectly. I'll definitely be making this again.


william carlisle
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This chicken is a hit at my family gatherings. Everyone loves the flavor and the crispy skin. I'm definitely adding this recipe to my regular rotation.


Muneeb Malik
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I love Peruvian food and this recipe did not disappoint. The chicken was flavorful and the skin was crispy. I served it with the green sauce and it was a perfect combination.


momenur
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This chicken is to die for! The marinade is incredible and the chicken is so juicy and tender. I highly recommend this recipe.


Irfan Ahammad
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I followed the recipe exactly and the chicken turned out perfect. The marinade was flavorful and the chicken was cooked to perfection. I will definitely be making this again.


adeloye ekundayo
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This chicken is amazing! The marinade is perfect and the chicken is so juicy and flavorful. I served it with the green sauce and it was a perfect combination.


Haps
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I was skeptical about this recipe at first, but I'm so glad I tried it. The chicken was incredibly flavorful and the skin was perfectly crispy. I will definitely be making this again.


bryan leibfried
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I've made this chicken several times now and it's always a hit. It's so easy to make and the flavor is amazing. I love that I can adjust the spice level to my liking.


DC2Red red
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This is the best roast chicken I've ever had. The marinade is incredible and the chicken is so juicy and tender. I highly recommend this recipe.


Rafia Yasir
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I'm not a big fan of chicken, but this recipe changed my mind. The marinade was so flavorful and the chicken was cooked perfectly. I'll definitely be making this again.


Awais ali Awais Ali
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This chicken was a hit at my last dinner party. Everyone raved about the flavor and the crispy skin. I'm definitely adding this recipe to my regular rotation.


Yara Iraqi
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I love Peruvian food and this recipe did not disappoint. The chicken was juicy and tender, and the marinade gave it a wonderful flavor. I served it with the green sauce and it was a perfect combination.


Anokyewaa Juliana
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I followed the recipe exactly and the chicken turned out amazing. The marinade was flavorful and the chicken was cooked to perfection. I will definitely be making this again.


ntu smiso
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This Peruvian roast chicken is a game-changer! The marinade infuses the chicken with incredible flavor, and the skin is perfectly crispy. It's a hit with my family and friends, and I highly recommend it.