Churu Chicken Amarillo is a flavorful and spicy Peruvian-inspired dish, featuring tender chicken in a creamy, tangy sauce made with aji amarillo peppers. Follow this step-by-step guide to prepare a delicious Churu Chicken Amarillo.
Ingredients:
- For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Amarillo Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 aji amarillo peppers, deseeded and chopped (or substitute with aji amarillo paste)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- For Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Cooked rice or potatoes (optional)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Chicken:
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
- Cook the chicken breasts for about 6-8 minutes per side until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
2. Prepare the Amarillo Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion over medium heat for about 5 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and chopped aji amarillo peppers to the pan. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes to release the flavors.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any bits from the pan to add more flavor to the sauce.
- Add the ground cumin and paprika, stirring to combine, and let it cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and continue to cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken. Add salt to taste.
3. Combine Chicken with the Sauce:
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the Amarillo sauce.
- Spoon the sauce over the chicken breasts and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
4. Serve:
- Once the chicken is well-coated with the sauce, serve it hot.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.
- Optionally, serve with a side of rice or roasted potatoes for a full meal.
Tips:
- Aji Amarillo Substitute: If you cannot find fresh aji amarillo peppers, you can use aji amarillo paste, which is widely available online or in Latin stores.
- Spice Level: Adjust the number of aji amarillo peppers to your desired level of heat. The more you use, the spicier the dish will be.
- Extra Flavor: For extra richness, you can add a splash of white wine or a dollop of sour cream to the sauce.