Aji de Gallina
Yield 4
Prep time
20 MinCook time
15 MinInactive time
15 MinTotal time
50 MinA creamy chicken Peruvian Stew utilizing the bright and fruity Aji Amarillo pepper, that gives this dish its trademark yellow hue.
Ingredients
- Half a sleeve of Ritz crackers (Salteens would be more traditional, but Ritz taste soooo good here)
- ¼ Cup walnuts
- 1 Cup evaporated milk
- ¼ - ⅓ Cup grated parmesan or a little more, to taste
- 2 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 Tablespoons aji amarillo chili paste or more to taste* (see notes)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 2-3 Cups shredded chicken
- 1-2 T kosher salt
- 1-2 t white pepper
- ½-1 cup chicken stock
Instructions
- Combine the Ritz crackers and walnuts with the milk. Let soak for at least 15 minutes.
- Dice the onion and garlic.
- Bring the vegetable oil to high heat in a pan. Add onions and garlic, and a healthy pinch of salt. Let sweat for 3-5 minutes until softened and very fragrant.
- Then add the aji amarillo paste and turmeric, and cook a minute more, stirring to combine and color all of the oil and veggies with the paste.
- Take off heat, and add into a blender with the soaked crackers and walnuts, and parmesan, and blend until smooth. Add chicken stock if necessary for blending.
- Return sauce to the pan and bring to a low simmer. Add stock (start with half a cup) until the sauce is slightly runnier than the desired texture.
- Salt to taste.
- Add the chicken, stir, and simmer for 3-5 minutes to heat chicken through.
- Serve with Peruvian white rice, and top with chopped walnuts, black olives, and a hard boiled egg.
Notes
The first time I made this was after a Thanksgiving where we had a leftover turkey carcass and a lot of meat. I recommend either baking the bird yourself or buying a rotisserie chicken and shredding the meat, then using the carcass to make stock with.
Aji Amarillo paste is kinda the star of the show here, but difficult to find in the States. You can buy it online or look for a international grocery store near you. Or, you could prepare your own pepper paste with what's available locally.