Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce
Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce is a quick, better-than-takeout dinner that’s rich, creamy, and packed with Peruvian flavor. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfect, creamy sauce every time. The golden, creamy chicken will make your family beg for seconds. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try this with Easy Orange Teriyaki Turkey Medallions and Love creamy sauces? Try this Slow Cooker Chicken Curry Recipe Easy and Creamy.
Why This Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Rich, creamy sauce with a hint of heat
- Ready in just 30 minutes
- Better than takeout flavor 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
- aji amarillo paste
- heavy cream
- chicken broth
- garlic
- onion
- aji amarillo paste
- garlic
- onion
- cumin
- paprika
- salt
- black pepper
- Optional: fresh cilantro
- Optional: green onions
- Optional: lime wedges
📝 Ingredient Notes
- aji amarillo paste: Find it in Latin American markets or online.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Immersion Blender — Makes smooth, creamy sauces in seconds → See on Amazon
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing → 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.
- Step 2: Remove chicken, add onion, garlic, and aji amarillo paste. Cook until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened.
- Step 4: Stir in heavy cream, return chicken to skillet, and cook until heated through. Blend until smooth.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce
- : Use full-fat heavy cream for the richest sauce.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken – it can become tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- : For a spicier sauce, add more aji amarillo paste or serve with hot sauce on the side.
- : Make it a meal by serving with steamed rice and a side of roasted veggies.
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. Reheat before adding the chicken.
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 (180°C) until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoother sauce, blend it until completely smooth.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce separately ahead of time. Reheat and combine before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little chicken broth or water.
Want to level up this recipe?
Aji Amarillo Paste — Authentic Peruvian flavor in a jar → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- aji amarillo paste
- heavy cream
- chicken broth
- garlic
- onion
Seasonings
- aji amarillo paste
- garlic
- onion
- cumin
- paprika
- salt
- black pepper
Optional Toppings
- fresh cilantro
- green onions
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Cook in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Remove chicken, add onion, garlic, and aji amarillo paste. Cook until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened.
- Step 4: Stir in heavy cream, return chicken to skillet, and cook until heated through. Blend until smooth.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoother sauce, blend it until completely smooth.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce separately ahead of time. Reheat and combine before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little chicken broth or water.
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 (180°C) until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead. Reheat before adding the chicken.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 8g
- 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. Reheat before adding the chicken.
Overcooking is the most common reason. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) but not much more.
Yes, freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months.
Yes, cook the chicken and sauce together in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours.
A mix of yellow curry powder, turmeric, and a pinch of cayenne pepper can be used as a substitute.
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!
