Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce
Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce – Tender chicken in a rich, creamy Peruvian-inspired sauce. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to the perfect creamy sauce. The golden, creamy sauce is irresistible. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sweet Chili Halloumi Wraps and Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns.
Why This Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Perfect for a quick, easy dinner
- Creamy sauce with a hint of heat
- Better than takeout taste at home
- Versatile – serve with rice, noodles, or veggies
What You'll Need for Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Ají amarillo paste
- Heavy cream
- Chicken broth
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Ají amarillo paste
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Optional: Fresh cilantro
- Optional: Lime wedges
- Optional: Crumbled queso fresco
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Ají amarillo paste: Find it in Latin American markets or online.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Immersion blender — Smooths the sauce perfectly → See on Amazon
- Cast iron skillet — Seals in the chicken's natural juices → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce
- Step 1: Season chicken with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Cook in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add ají amarillo paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Stir in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add heavy cream and simmer until the sauce thickens. Blend until smooth.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, coat with the sauce, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Garnish and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce
- : Use a thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C).
- Common mistake and fix: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer longer to reduce.
- : For a spicier version, add more ají amarillo paste or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and reheat before serving
Freezing Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce
Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use pre-cooked chicken and skip step 1.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer longer to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality ají amarillo paste — Ensures authentic flavor in every bite → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Ají amarillo paste
- Heavy cream
- Chicken broth
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
Seasonings
- Ají amarillo paste
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Crumbled queso fresco
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Cook in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add ají amarillo paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Stir in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add heavy cream and simmer until the sauce thickens. Blend until smooth.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, coat with the sauce, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Garnish and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use pre-cooked chicken and skip step 1.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer longer to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and reheat before serving
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 140mg
- Sat. Fat: 16g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce FAQs
Yes, prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and reheat before serving.
If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer longer to reduce.
Yes, cook the chicken in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, then follow the recipe to make the sauce.
Serve with rice, noodles, or your favorite vegetables. The creamy sauce pairs well with many sides.
The heat level is mild to medium. For a spicier version, add more ají amarillo paste or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
