Roasted Peruvian-Style Chicken with Aji Amarillo Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy roasted chicken infused with traditional Peruvian spices and paired with a vibrant, creamy aji amarillo chili sauce. This latin american ready in about 95 minutes pairs whole chicken, garlic cloves, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, mash 6 garlic cloves into a paste with 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 3 tbsp olive oil, and 2 tbsp fresh lime juice until well combined.
  2. Step 2: Rub this spice paste thoroughly all over the 3 lbs whole chicken, including under the skin where possible, then place the chicken on a roasting rack in a baking tray.
  3. Step 3: Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, basting occasionally with pan juices, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden and crisp.
  4. Step 4: While the chicken roasts, prepare the aji amarillo sauce by blending 3 tbsp yellow chili paste with 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup evaporated milk, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro until smooth and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Let the roasted chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve warm with the aji amarillo sauce on the side for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Roasted Peruvian-Style Chicken with Aji Amarillo Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Roasted Peruvian-Style Chicken with Aji Amarillo Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep whole chicken from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Peruvian-Style Chicken with Aji Amarillo Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Roasted Peruvian-Style Chicken with Aji Amarillo Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Roasted Peruvian-Style Chicken with Aji Amarillo Sauce?

Latin American latin american like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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