Chicken marinated in yellow hot pepper sauce (aji amarillo) with added spices and then quickly grilled on skewers is a taste of Peru that you can make in minutes. The sauce gives a sweet and hot pepper flavor to the dish. I was delighted to find it in a jar at the supermarket and created this simple dish. It captures the flavors of Peru, without a long marinating time. If you can’t find aji amarillo ready-made, this recipe will work with hot paprika instead.
Anticuchos are kabobs that are found in many street-carts and food stalls in Peru and are often served with potatoes. For this dinner, the potatoes are made in the microwave and a simple sauce completes the meal.
Fred Tasker’s wine suggestions: Garlicky chicken kabobs? A rich California chardonnay.
Helpful hints:
• Red or yellow potatoes can be used instead of purple potatoes.
• Boneless, skinless chicken breast can be used instead of chicken tenders.
• The kabobs can be cooked under a broiler instead of on a stove-top grill for the same amount of time.
Countdown:
• Marinate the chicken.
• Make the potatoes.
• Make the sauce.
• Cook the chicken kabobs.
Shopping list:
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for tonight’s Quick Fix Dinner in Minutes.
To buy:1 jar aji amarillo, 1 bottle ground cumin, 3/4 pound chicken tenders, 1 pound purple potatoes, 1 lemon and 1 red bell pepper.
Staples: Olive oil, minced garlic, reduced-fat mayonnaise, salt and black peppercorns.
Chicken Anticuchos (Peruvian Chicken Kabobs)
Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer
1 tsp. minced garlic, crushed
3 Tbsp. aji amarillo, divided use
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1, 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, divided use
3/4 lb. chicken tenders
1 lb. purple potatoes
1 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 red bell pepper, cut into 2-inch pieces
Mix the garlic, 2 tablespoons aji amarillo, black pepper and cumin together in a bowl. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces and add to the bowl. Toss to coat the chicken and let marinate while making the potatoes and sauce (about 10-15 minutes).
Wash do not peel and cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Toss with the olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
Mix the mayonnaise, remaining 1 tablespoon aji amarillo, remaining 1 teaspoon cumin and lemon juice together. Set aside.
Remove chicken from marinade and thread the chicken and red bell pepper onto skewers. Heat a stove-top grill and add the skewers. Grill 4 minutes, turn and grill 4 minutes. Serve the kabobs and potatoes with a drizzle of the sauce and the rest of the sauce on the side for dipping.
Per serving: 555 calories (35 percent from fat), 21.8 g fat (3.4 g saturated, 8.6 g monounsaturated), 126 mg cholesterol, 43.8 g protein, 45.5 g carbohydrates, 5.9 g fiber, 369 mg sodium.
Yield 2 servings
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