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Peruvian Chicken

Golden-skin pollo a la brasa or Peruvian chicken marinates in vinegar and traditional spices before roasting in the oven. The spatchcocked chicken is broken down and served with our spicy serrano crema.

A single serving of our Peruvian roasted chicken served with serrano crema and salad.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

  • Chicken: I use a whole, butterflied chicken for this recipe because it’s the tastiest and most effective prepare whole chicken. Butterflying a chicken is the process of cutting out the backbone and flattening it; as a result, the chicken roasts more evenly. You can also use leg quarters, thighs, legs, or a combination if you prefer.
  • Peruvian Chicken Marinade: Combine ground cumin, paprika, kosher salt, coarse ground black pepper, fresh garlic, distilled white vinegar, and olive oil to flavor the chicken.

HOW TO BUTTERFLY A CHICKEN

HOW TO MAKE PERUVIAN CHICKEN

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Adjust the oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat the oven to 450°F (242°C). Then, line a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack. Dry the chicken thoroughly with a cloth, and set it aside.

A whole chicken on a cutting board.

Step 2: Add cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic, vinegar, and oil to a small bowl and stir to combine.

Using a pastry brush, evenly distribute the mixture over the whole chicken.

Marinade spread onto the Peruvian chicken

Step 3: Place the chicken in the middle of the wire rack. Roast for 35 to 45 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (73°C).

Peruvian chicken baking in the oven.

Step 4: Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil for 10 minutes.

Peruvian chicken tented with foil.

Step 5: Break down the chicken and serve with serrano crema and a nice bright salad like avocado cucumber tomato salad.

A single serving of our Peruvian roasted chicken served with serrano crema and salad.

SEARCHING FOR MORE LIKE THIS? 

If you love this recipe, try one of these chicken favorites!  

A whole roasted Peruvian chicken on a rimmed baking sheet.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH PERUVIAN CHICKEN?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Should I alter the recipe if I’m making leg quarters, thighs, or drumsticks rather than a whole chicken?

Keep the marinade the same, but reduce the cooking time since you’re not making a whole chicken; here is my recipe for oven baked drumsticks with Peruvian spices.

How do you know when the whole chicken is done cooking?

Check the internal temperature of the chicken using a food thermometer; insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. For the whole chicken, check the near the breastbone. 

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A single serving of our Peruvian roasted chicken served with serrano crema and salad.

Peruvian Chicken

Tressa Jamil
Spatchcocked and golden-skin Peruvian chicken marinates in vinegar and traditional spices and roasts in the oven in under an hour.
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Peruvian
Servings 6 people
Calories 674 kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
  
  • 3-4 pounds whole chicken, butterflied
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar, distilled
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
 
  • Adjust the oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat the oven to 450°F (242°C). Then, line a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack. Dry the chicken thoroughly with a cloth, and set it aside.
  • Add cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic, vinegar, and oil to a small bowl and stir to combine.
  • Using a pastry brush, evenly distribute the mixture over the whole chicken.
  • Place the chicken in the middle of the wire rack. Roast for 35 to 45 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (73°C).
  • Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil for 10 minutes.
  • Break down the chicken and serve with serrano crema.
Notes
Adapted From:
  • You’ll find the original recipe and inspiration for this post in Kenji Lopez-Alt’s book, The Food Lab. 
Expert Tips: 
  • You don’t need to butterfly the chicken the way we do, though it is far easier than it seems. Butterflying or spatchcocking a chicken is the best way to ensure the chicken cooks evenly. If you don’t want to butterfly the chicken, leave it whole and adjust the cooking time to 55 minutes.
  • If using a smaller chicken, the excess paste may build up on the chicken. If this happens, lightly brush the chicken with olive oil to serve. 
Nutrition
Serving: 3 chicken pieces | Calories: 674 kcal | Carbohydrates: 2 g | Protein: 83 g | Fat: 35 g | Sodium: 1601 mg
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!
Recipe Rating




RJ

Thursday 19th of May 2022

I wish I could have this chicken once a week. It has been a favorite for kids and grownups alike. Very easy to feed groups with.

Tressa Jamil

Sunday 12th of June 2022

I always make this recipe when we have guests over.

Nelly

Friday 4th of March 2022

Peruvian food is the best in the world, my family is so happy !! ❤️.

Tressa - Jamil Ghar Team

Saturday 5th of March 2022

Nelly, I am so glad you and your family enjoyed it!

Gisela

Tuesday 15th of February 2022

Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I made this recipe tonight, and it was delicious. I am taking some to work tomorrow for two of my colleagues. Thank you!

Gisela

Wednesday 16th of February 2022

@Tressa - Jamil Ghar Team, hello again, my coworkers love it! They kept saying how yummy it was. I came back tonight to let you know and also to send this recipe with one of the nurses I work with. Thanks again. 😊

Tressa - Jamil Ghar Team

Tuesday 15th of February 2022

Oh my gosh, yes! I am so glad you enjoyed it! You will have to let me know what your coworker think. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

Flor

Tuesday 8th of February 2022

Looks delicious and easy to prepare!

Tressa - Jamil Ghar Team

Tuesday 8th of February 2022

Thank you for taking a moment to leave a comment. Be sure to let us know what you think when you try it :)