Spatchcocked Peruvian chicken, or pollo a la brasa, marinates in a blend of Peruvian spices before roasting to perfection in the oven. The crispy chicken with golden skin is broken down and served with spicy serrano crema.
Key Ingredients
- 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 black pepper, fresh garlic cloves, distilled white vinegar, and extra-virgin olive oil to flavor the chicken.
How to Butterfly or Spatchcock 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, prepare a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack. Butterfly the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels and set it aside.
Step 2: Combine the ground cumin, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic cloves, vinegar, and oil in a small bowl. Brush the mixture evenly over the whole chicken.
Step 3: Arrange the chicken onto the wire rack. Roast for 35 to 45 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How do you know when the chicken is done?
You can tell the chicken is done cooking when it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Check the temperature by inserting a food thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding the bone.’
Step 4: Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and tent it loosely with foil for 10 minutes. Carve the chicken and and serve with serrano crema.
If you enjoy juicy spatchcocked chicken, try more chicken recipes!
What Can I Serve with Peruvian Chicken?
- Serrano Crema, Aji Amarillo
- Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad, Homemade Coleslaw, Vinegar Coleslaw
- Roasted Potatoes, French Fries
- Air Fried Plantains, Fried Yuka, Grilled Zucchini, Corn on the Cob
- Cilantro-Lime Rice, White Rice, Brown Rice
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 chicken pieces take less time to cook. Here is a quick 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.
More Sheet Pan Dinners:
Peruvian Chicken
- Small Bowl
- 3-4 pounds whole chicken, trimmed and butterflied
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar, distilled
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Adjust the oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat the oven to 450°F (242°C). Then, prepare a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack. Butterfly the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels and set it aside.
- Combine the ground cumin, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic cloves, vinegar, and oil in a small bowl. Brush the mixture evenly over the whole chicken.
- Arrange the chicken onto the wire rack. Roast for 35 to 45 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and tent it loosely with foil for 10 minutes. Carve the chicken and and serve with serrano crema.
- 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.
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 :)