The sauce carries this dish: aji amarillo paste for fruity heat, milk-soaked bread as the thickener, and a handful of walnuts for body. Thicken with that soaked bread rather than flour, blended completely smooth. The result is velvety where a flour-bound sauce turns pasty.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep25 min
Cook35 min
Makes6 servings
CuisinePeruvian
Cost$$
Contains dairy · gluten · tree nuts
Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for6servings
Chicken breast
Poached and shredded; the mild meat is a carrier for the sauce, so don't overcook it.
About as virtuous as dinner gets. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
Poach and shredPoach the chicken in salted water 15 minutes, then rest and shred by hand. Save a cup of the poaching liquid.
Soak the breadTear the bread and soak it in the milk until soft, about 5 minutes; this is your thickener.
Build the sauceSaute onion, garlic, and aji amarillo until soft, then blend with the soaked bread and walnuts until smooth.
SimmerReturn the sauce to the pan, loosen with poaching liquid, fold in the chicken, and simmer gently 5 minutes. Serve over rice with boiled potato and egg.
Can you make Ají de Gallina in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert
Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.
Can you freeze Ají de Gallina? — Yes
Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
Can you make Ají de Gallina ahead of time? — Yes
Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.
Is Ají de Gallina gluten-free? — Not as written
Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).
Is Ají de Gallina vegan? — No
No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.
Community Notes
Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.
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