Ají de Gallina – A Cozy Kitchen


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Ají de Gallina is a the ultimate Peruvian comfort food. This chicken stew is spicy, creamy and so delicious when served over rice. Serve it with other Peruvian favorites like Papa a la Huancaina and a cold glass of Chicha Morada.

Aji de Gallina on a plate with rice.

My mother’s side of the family are all Peruvian. I was raised with Peruvian food being the primary dishes served in our home; Iove it all. I was raised eating everything from Pollo a la Brasa, Lomo Saltado and Peruvian Seco. And I was lucky enough to learn how to make it from the best. This plate of Ají de Gallina is so comforting and delicious.

Make the sauce. Sauté the white onion and ají amarillo peppers in a bit of avocado oil. Then add in the spices: turmeric, cumin, a few pinches of salt and black pepper. Cook until they’re softened. Then mix in the garlic, ají amarillo paste, cubed toast, evaporated milk and reserved chicken broth. Give it a mix and cover it. Let it simmer for 5 minutes. We want everything softened.

Blend sauce. Transfer all of the sauce to the blender and give it a taste; adjust the salt to your liking.

Add everything back to the skillet. Pour the sauce back into the skillet, along with the shredded chicken.

Serve it. Add a scoop of rice to a plate, along with some boiled potatoes. Ladle the ají de gallina over it. Garnish with boiled egg and Peruvian black olives.

Recipe Tip

Ají Amarillos. You can find these in the freezer section at your local Latin supermarket. In a pinch, feel free to leave it out OR replace it with a jalepeño, scotch bonnet or habanero pepper.

Different cuts of chicken. I’m using bone-in chicken breast. But feel free to use boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs! All of the above will work great.

Aji de Gallina Plating.

Recipe FAQs

What does ají de gallina mean in Spanish?

The literal translation is “a hen’s chili”. It’s a spicy stew made with chicken.

Why do you add toast?

This thickens the sauce (similar to how Peruvians add saltine crackers to Papa a la Huancaina.

How can I freeze this dish?

Make the entire dish (minus the rice, etc) and let it come to room temperature. Add it to a freezer safe container and cover with an airtight lid. Transfer to the freezer for up to three months.

Aji de Gallina with Fork and Knife.

More Peruvian Recipes

If you tried this Aji de Gallina Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

To Make the Sauce:

  • In a medium skillet, set over medium-low heat, add the avocado oil, white onion and aji amarillo peppers. Add a pinch of kosher salt. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. And then add in the turmeric, cumin, a few pinches of salt, black pepper. And cook until softened, an additional 2-3 minutes. Add in the minced garlic, aji amarillo paste, cubed toast, evaporated milk and chicken broth. Give it a mix, cover the pot and bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. This will soften everything.

  • Transfer to a blender and blend until very smooth. Give it a taste and adjust the salt to your liking. Transfer back to the pot to warm up. Add in the reserved shredded chicken.

To Serve:

  • Add white rice to a plate, a sliced potato and top with a few spoonfuls of the aji de gallina. Add a sprinkling of walnuts, Parmesan-Reggiano, a few black olives, halved boiled eggs and minced Italian parsley.

Tips and Tricks: 
  • Ají Amarillos. You can find these in the freezer section at your local Latin supermarket. In a pinch, feel free to leave it out OR replace it with a jalepeño, scotch bonnet or habanero pepper.
  • Different cuts of chicken. I’m using bone-in chicken breast. But feel free to use boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs! All of the above will work great.
  • How to Freeze. Make the entire dish (minus the rice, etc) and let it come to room temperature. Add it to a freezer safe container and cover with an airtight lid. Transfer to the freezer for up to three months.

Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 391mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 7741IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.



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