High-Protein Peruvian Chicken Breasts with Pinto Beans
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Level:Easy
Total: 1 hr 35 min
Active: 1 hr
Yield:6 servings
Nutritional Analysis
Per Serving
Calories
733
Total Fat
40 grams
Saturated Fat
10 grams
Cholesterol
180 milligrams
Sodium
992 milligrams
Carbohydrates
25 grams
Dietary Fiber
10 grams
Sugar
3 grams
Protein
66 grams
We developed this version of flavorful, spice-marinated Peruvian chicken to be both easy to make at home and packed with protein — 66 grams per serving. The dish usually uses whole chicken, but we chose bone-in breasts for a consistently generous dose of lean protein in every portion. We found that a short 30-minute marination worked well for this cut, and instead of cooking the chicken on a grill or rotisserie we roasted it in a hot oven, a hands-off method that produced wonderfully juicy meat. Ají, the spicy, creamy green sauce made with cilantro and jalapeños, is the chicken’s classic accompaniment and is simple to make in a blender. We added a super-flavorful pot of simmered pinto beans to this recipe to double down on the protein. Other classic accompaniments to Peruvian chicken include yellow rice, sliced avocado and tomato salad if you’d like to round out your menu for a crowd. If you’re cooking for a smaller group, this is an excellent meal for prepping ahead for planned leftovers; the chicken, beans and sauce will all keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
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Directions
For the chicken and marinade: Whisk the lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, brown sugar, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper in a large bowl until combined. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place it in the bowl. Massage the marinade into the chicken until evenly coated. Leave to marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and no more than 1 hour (see Cook’s Note).
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Place the marinated chicken skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until it reaches 155 degrees F when tested with an instant-read thermometer, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; the temperature should rise to 165 degrees F.
Meanwhile, for the ají green sauce: Combine the cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, mayonnaise, yogurt, olive oil, lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a blender and blend on high until puréed, adding 1 tablespoon of water at a time to help it blend smoothly if needed. Transfer to a small bowl, cover and refrigerate.
For the beans: Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the bacon with a slotted spoon to a small bowl leaving the bacon fat behind. Set the bacon aside. If there is more than 1 tablespoon fat in the saucepan remove the excess.
Add the onion to the bacon fat in the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring, until softened and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the diced tomato and cook until soft and broken down, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ají amarillo paste, cumin, oregano and bay leaf. Add the beans, chicken broth and reserved bacon and simmer until the beans are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaf. Season the beans with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mash some beans against the side of the pot until the sauce thickens to your preference. Cover and set aside to keep warm.
Divide the chicken and beans among 6 plates and dollop with ají green sauce.
Cook’s Note
Marinating for more than 1 hour at room temperature or at temperatures over 90 degrees F is not recommended for food safety. If you need to keep the chicken longer, or if your kitchen is very warm, cover the bowl and refrigerate it. Note that we don’t recommend marinating the chicken for longer than 2 hours even if it’s refrigerated as the lime juice may change the texture of the meat.
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