Peruvian Pollo a la Brasa
Pollo a la Brasa is Peru’s iconic rotisserie chicken, often served with a vibrant, spicy green sauce called ají verde. To save time without sacrificing flavor, our version uses pan-fried chicken strips. The dish gets its signature smoky-sour depth and rich red hue from ají panca—a mild, fruity chili that's a staple in everyday Peruvian cooking. It adds subtle heat and complexity to sauces, stews, and marinades alike.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1.5 lb boneless chicken pieces [1] cut into 1-inch strips
Grill - Marinade
- 1/4 cup dark beer
- 1 tbsp soy sauce [2]
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 5 cloves garlic grated
Salad - Bean & Corn
- 1 can Lima or kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn frozen
- 1-2 lime or lemon for juice
Sauce - Aji Verde
- 1 green bell pepper finely chopped [3]
- 1 green onion finely chopped [3]
- 1-3 green jalapeno pepper finely chopped (optional) [3]
- 1 clove garlic grated
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro or parsley
- 1-2 lime or lemon for juice
- 4 oz queso blanco or feta plain
Packaged Goods/Staples
- oil
- salt & pepper
Pollo a la Brasa Culinary Spice Kit
- Aji panca pepper, smoked paprika, mild chili pepper, cumin, rosemary, black pepper
Suggested Sides
- French fries
- cooked rice
- roasted bread slices
- mashed potatoes
Instructions
Grill - Marinade
- In a CONTAINER, mix 1/4 cup beer, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp vinegar, 5 cloves garlic, Pollo a la Brasa spices, and salt to taste.
- Add chicken. Mix well. Cover.
- Let it marinate in the fridge for 1 - 3 hours.
Salad - Bean Base
- In a BOWL, add beans and corn. Mix well.
Salad - Dressing
- In a CUP, add 3 tbsp lime or lemon juice and 1 tbsp oil. Mix well.
- Pour dressing over the salad base.
- Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Let salad rest for 1 hour.
Sauce - Aji Verde
- In a BOWL, mix chopped veggies and herbs (bell pepper, green onions, green jalapeno pepper, garlic, cilantro or parsley).
- Season with 2 tbsp lime or lemon juice and 1 tbsp oil.
- Add cheese and mix well.
- Optionally, season with salt & pepper to taste.
Grill or Fry
- In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium-high heat.
- Fry chicken until crisp and cooked through.
Serve
- Serve chicken with salad, Aji Verde sauce, and your preferred sides.
- Enjoy!
Notes
[1] Substitute chicken with pork chops.
Alternatively, grill 2 lbs whole chicken pieces with skin.
[2] Find tips to substitute soy sauce on our blog.
[3] Optionally, add all vegetables in a food processor and pulse for a couple of times.