Aji de Gallina

This is a delicious, traditional Peruvian chicken stew in a spicy, nutty cheese sauce. It takes time, but is well worth it! I serve this over boiled white rice and baby yellow potatoes.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 357 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 quarts water
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1 onion, coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup walnut pieces
• 4 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
• 2 pounds skinless, bone-in chicken breast halves
• 1 loaf white bread, crusts removed and cubed
• 2 teaspoons aji amarillo chile paste
• ¼ cup kalamata olives, pitted and quartered

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place chicken breasts, onion, carrot, and 2 cloves garlic in a large saucepan, pour in 2 quarts of water and slowly bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Skim off the foam which forms on top, then cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the chicken is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and allow to cool. Strain the resulting chicken stock, discarding the vegetables.

Step 2

Pour evaporated milk and 1/2 cup chicken stock into the bowl of a blender. Add bread cubes and puree until smooth. Add Parmesan cheese and walnuts; puree until smooth. Shred the cooled chicken and discard the bones.

Step 3

Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in minced garlic and minced onion; cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in shredded chicken and aji amarillo until heated through. Pour in bread puree and cook until hot, stirring frequently. Add more chicken stock if needed to keep from getting too thick. Season with turmeric and simmer for 5 minutes more.

Step 4

Serve garnished with hard-cooked egg slices and sprinkled with kalamata olives.