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Peruvian Chicken Salad Recipe

4.8 from 113 reviews

A vibrant and flavorful Peruvian Chicken Salad combining tender shredded chicken with creamy mayonnaise, tangy lime juice, spicy ají amarillo paste, and the unique taste of crumbled cojita cheese, fresh cilantro, and red onion. This quick and easy salad offers a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and fresh flavors, ideal for a light lunch or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Salad

  • 1 cup Cooked Shredded Chicken
  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 oz. Cotija Cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tbsp. Ají Amarillo Paste
  • ½ Lime, juiced
  • 2 tbsp. Chopped Cilantro
  • 1 Garlic Clove, minced
  • 2 tbsp. Minced Red Onion
  • ¼ tsp. Salt, or more to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked shredded chicken, mayonnaise, crumbled cotija cheese, ají amarillo paste, lime juice, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, minced red onion, and salt.
  2. Mix Thoroughly: Use a spoon or spatula to carefully mix all the ingredients until they are evenly combined, ensuring the chicken is well coated with the creamy and spicy dressing.
  3. Serve Immediately: Transfer the mixed salad to a serving bowl and enjoy right away for the freshest taste and best texture.

Notes

  • Choosing the Right Chicken: Boiled, roasted, or rotisserie chicken all work excellently for this salad. Using bone-in, skin-on chicken for cooking adds extra flavor; remove skin and bones before shredding.
  • Ají Amarillo Paste Substitute: If ají amarillo paste is unavailable, blend a yellow bell pepper with a pinch of cayenne pepper to achieve similar flavor and heat. Mild hot sauce can be used as an alternative but may alter the authentic taste.
  • Adjusting the Creaminess: Customize the creaminess by varying the amount of mayonnaise used. For a lighter and healthier version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or mashed avocado.

Keywords: Peruvian Chicken Salad, Ají Amarillo Chicken Salad, Easy Chicken Salad, Creamy Chicken Salad, Latin American Salad