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A white casserole dish with a roasted, spiced chicken it in, flanked by a dish of avocado salad and a bowl of lime wedges.
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4.93 / 13 votes

Peruvian Roast Chicken

This Peruvian roast chicken borrows its Latin American accent from a marinade of paprika, cumin, lemon, and garlic, creating an amazing Technicolor Dream Coat color and a really quite spectacular taste.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Mains
Cuisine: Spanish
Servings: 4
Calories: 684

Ingredients

For the Peruvian roast chicken

  • 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • Fine sea salt
  • One (4-pound) chicken
  • 1/2 lemon, cut into 2 wedges
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup white wine
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons paprika*
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

For the salad (optional)

  • 2 avocados
  • 1/2 to 3/4 of a small red onion, very thinly sliced and soaked in ice water for 10 minutes to lessen its bite
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro leaves, or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, (from 1 large lime)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Coarse sea salt
US - Metric

Instructions

Make the Peruvian roast chicken

  • Using the flat side of a knife blade, mash the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of salt together into a paste.
  • Rinse and pat the chicken dry, inside and out, and put the chicken on a plate. Rub the chicken all over with the lemon quarters.
  • Slip your fingers underneath the skin to loosen it. Slide the garlic paste between the skin and chicken, being careful not to tear the skin. Then smooth the skin to evenly distribute the paste.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, 2 tablespoons of wine, the oil, paprika, cumin, black pepper, and oregano.
  • Place the chicken in a baking dish and slather it with the marinade. Turn the bird several times to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 5 to 8 hours, turning the chicken once or twice.
  • Preheat the oven to 425ºF (220°C). Adjust the oven rack to the middle position.
  • Move the chicken to a small roasting pan or 12- to 14-inch cast-iron skillet. Don't toss out the marinade.
  • Squeeze the lemon quarters into the cavity of the hen and then toss them in. If desired, tie the legs together with kitchen string. Season the chicken all over with 1 teaspoon salt.
  • Roast the bird for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375ºF (190°C). Dump the marinade over the bird and roast, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 165ºF (74°C), about 75 minutes more.

Make the salad

  • Halve each avocado and dice. Toss the avocados with everything else in a bowl.

Get the food on the table

  • Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes.
  • Skim the fat floating on the juices in the roasting pan. Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Add the remaining 1/4 cup wine and simmer, stirring and scraping the pan, for 3 minutes.
  • Carve the bird, toss the avocado salad again, and pass the pan sauce on the side. Graciously accept all applause, kudos, and marriage proposals.

Notes

*What are the different types of paprika?

Paprika is a common ingredient in many cultures, especially Spanish and Hungarian, and there are many, many grades and types of paprika. Paprika in its simplest form is made from ground sweet pepper pods to create the iconic bright red powder. It's been incorporated into nearly every food culture in the world, from garnishing to coloring to flavoring.
The main types of paprika are sweet, hot, and smoked. But wait--both hot and sweet can be smoked, although it's usually the hot paprika that you'll find smoked. This recipe leaves it up to you, so use what you think you'll prefer, because it will absolutely make a difference.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion with salad | Calories: 684kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 31g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 129mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g