Peruvian Potato-Chicken Salad (Causa Rellena)

There's nothing very unusual about serving a chicken or potato salad at a cookout, which is why this layered Peruvian potato and chicken salad will cause such a stir. Or should I say, "causa" a stir, since in Peru that's what this gorgeous dish is called. Infused with ají amarillo, lime juice, and cilantro, these are perfect for making ahead and packing in your cooler on a hot summer day.

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 658 Calories

Ingredients

• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup green peas
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup mayonnaise, or as needed
• cayenne pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 avocado, quartered and sliced
• 1 teaspoon minced shallot
• 1 lime, juiced, or more to taste
• 1 tablespoon sour cream (Optional)
• 1 large cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
• ¼ cup diced cooked carrot
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped roasted red peppers
• 1 ¼ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 2 tablespoons aji amarillo chili paste, or to taste
• 1 small clove garlic, crushed
• 2 teaspoons aji amarillo chili paste, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon water as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine chicken, green peas, carrot, shallot, roasted red peppers, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Season with salt and cayenne. Add mayonnaise and mix until combined. Cover chicken salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 2

Place potatoes into a pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until very tender but not falling apart, about 20 minutes. Drain well and transfer potatoes to a mixing bowl. Mash until smooth.

Step 3

Add ají amarillo, olive oil, and lime juice to the potatoes. Season with cayenne and salt. Mash together with a potato masher. Switch to a spatula and mix until completely smooth.

Step 4

Line four 6-ounce ramekins with plastic wrap. Scoop mashed potatoes evenly into ramekins; press and smooth out the tops. Cover each with a layer of avocado slices. Fill each ramekin to the top with chicken salad, pressing it down and pulling up the plastic wrap to eliminate any air pockets. Cover with a final layer of mashed potatoes, going up to 1/2 inch or more over the rim.

Step 5

Seal top with a new layer of plastic wrap and fold the sides over to seal. Refrigerate salads until completely chilled, at least 1 hour.

Step 6

Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, and ají amarillo together for the sauce, adding a splash of water to adjust the thickness.

Step 7

Remove the top layer of plastic wrap from each salad. Invert each ramekin onto a serving plate; remove ramekins, then plastic wrap. Spoon some sauce around each salad.