Recipe: Low-carb ají de gallina (Peruvian chicken stew)
Peruvian food is delicious but can be very carb-heavy. Ají de gallina, for instance, is a chicken stew made with bread, evaporated milk and served with rice and/or potatoes. Made the traditional way, this is not a dish for those with gluten or lactose intolerance, nor for people watching their carb intake.
Note that this particular recipe is not lactose-free (you can use coconut cream instead of double cream, but it will change the taste of the dish). Serve with a simple salad on the side and enjoy!

Low-carb ají de gallina
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken breast
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp ghee or olive oil
- 1 medium red onion finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp ají amarillo Peruvian yellow chilli paste
- 1 tsp turmeric optional
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup double cream
- salt and pepper to taste
To serve
- cauliflower rice
- 1-2 hard-boiled eggs sliced
- 6 olives
Instructions
- Place chicken and broth in a pot and simmer until cooked through (20-30 minutes).
- Reserve broth and shred chicken with the help of tongs or forks.
- Heat oil in a pot or saucepan on low heat. Add onion, garlic and ají amarillo and cook until soft (~10 minutes).
- Add chicken, broth, Parmesan and pecans. Mix well, season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Turn off heat, add cream and stir well. Serve with cauliflower rice, a slice of hard-boiled egg and an olive.
Want more Peruvian recipes? Check out the e-cookbook below!

Peruvian recipes from abroad
This e-book contains my favourite Peruvian recipes developed from the point of view of an expat who learned to find her way with the ingredients that were available in her new home.
This website is for educational and informational purposes only. Click here if you need personalised nutrition advice.


