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Seco de Pollo

A traditional Peruvian chicken stew braised in a flavorful cilantro, pale beer, and chili sauce. Served tender alongside tender carrots and sweet peas.

60 minMediumServes 4480 cal/serving

PeruvianDinnerStovetop and BlenderHigh ProteinLow CarbDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-Free

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs, patted dry
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 large red onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp aji amarillo paste
  • 2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup pale lager beer
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a blender, process 2 cups chopped fresh cilantro with half of the 1/2 cup chicken broth until completely smooth to create the green sauce.

  2. 2

    Season 2 lbs patted dry chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp ground cumin.

  3. 3

    Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat, then brown the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side and set aside.

  4. 4

    In the same pot, add 1 large diced red onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp aji amarillo paste, cooking for 5 minutes until onions are soft.

  5. 5

    Pour in 1/2 cup pale lager beer, remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, and the blended cilantro mixture, scraping up any browned bits.

  6. 6

    Return chicken thighs to pot, add 2 sliced carrots, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

  7. 7

    Stir in 1 cup thawed frozen green peas and cook for 3 minutes until heated through before serving.

Questions

Can I make Seco de Pollo gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1/2 cup pale lager beer. Swap the beer for a certified gluten-free beer or a dry cider. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Seco de Pollo keep?

Refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to four days and stir it back together before serving.

Can I halve or double Seco de Pollo?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, blend in batches rather than overfilling the jar.

Serve it with

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