Peruvian Chicken Avocado Quinoa Salad Recipes

PERUVIAN CHICKEN, AVOCADO & QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Half-fill a medium pan with water and bring to the boil. Rinse the quinoa in a fine sieve, then add to the water, stir well and simmer for 12 mins or until just tender.
• While the quinoa is cooking, put the sweetcorn in a dry frying pan over a medium-high heat. Cook for 5 mins, turning every now and then, until defrosted and lightly toasted. Set aside.
• Rinse the cooked quinoa in a sieve under cold water, then press hard with a serving spoon to remove excess water.
• Tip the quinoa into a bowl and toss with the olive oil, sweetcorn, tomatoes, coriander, spring onions, lime zest and chilli. Season well with black pepper.
• Halve and stone the avocado. Scoop out the flesh with a large metal spoon, cut into slices and combine with the lime juice. Add the chicken pieces and avocado to the salad and toss gently together before serving.

PERUVIAN ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CREAMY AVOCADO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the chicken thighs: Whisk the beer, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, paprika, black pepper, cinnamon and sugar together in a large bowl or baking dish. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat all sides. Cover and refrigerate the chicken for a minimum of 3 hours and up to overnight.
• When ready to roast, set an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, discard the marinating liquid from the bowl or baking dish and drizzle the oil over the chicken to fully coat. Transfer chicken thighs skin-side up to a rimmed sheet pan. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F, about 35 minutes.
• While the chicken roasts, make the avocado green sauce: Combine the queso fresco, mayonnaise, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, lemon juice, salt and 1/2 cup of water in a blender. Blend until the ingredients are minced. Turn off the blender, add the avocado and blend until the sauce becomes smooth and uniform in color, about 1 minute. Be careful to not over blend as the sauce will break. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and allow to rest 5 minutes. Serve with the avocado sauce.

CHICKEN, AVOCADO CREAM AND QUINOA SALAD-IN-A-JAR

Steps:

• Make the quinoa: Bring the quinoa and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer until the quinoa is tender (the little tails will pop out) and most of the water is absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain off any excess water. Stir in the cilantro, scallions, oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve warm or at room temperature. (The quinoa can be cooled, covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Microwave just enough to take the chill off, about 2 minutes, stirring about halfway through.)
• Make the avocado cream: Process or blend the avocado, sour cream, Parmesan, lime juice, 1 to 2 tablespoons water, cayenne and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.
• If the corn still has a chill, microwave it for about 1 minute.
• Assemble the salads: Using four 16-ounce wide-mouthed glass jars with lids, divide the quinoa evenly among the jars, then add the following in separate layers: the corn, chicken, salsa, avocado cream and pepitas. Pack the crushed tortilla chips (about 1/4 cup per salad) and lime wedges in separate small containers for transporting.
• Just before serving, transfer the jarred ingredients to a large bowl, add the tortilla chips and a squeeze of lime juice and toss.

QUINOA SALAD WITH CHICKEN, ALMONDS AND AVOCADO

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to a boil. Add quinoa and boil, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk the shallot, vinegar, mustard, oil and a generous pinch of salt and pepper in a very large bowl. When quinoa is done, drain very well, then add to the dressing, along with the chicken, cranberries and parsley. Fold until evenly mixed and cooled, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide the salad among dishes and top with the chopped almonds and avocado.

PERUVIAN POTATO-CHICKEN SALAD (CAUSA RELLENA)

Steps:

• Combine chicken, green peas, carrot, shallot, roasted red peppers, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Season with salt and cayenne. Add mayonnaise and mix until combined. Cover chicken salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Place potatoes into a pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until very tender but not falling apart, about 20 minutes. Drain well and transfer potatoes to a mixing bowl. Mash until smooth.
• Add jai amarillo, olive oil, and lime juice to the potatoes. Season with cayenne and salt. Mash together with the potato masher. Switch to a spatula and mix until completely smooth.
• Line four 6-ounce ramekins with plastic wrap. Scoop mashed potatoes evenly into ramekins; press and smooth out the tops. Cover each with a layer of avocado slices. Fill ramekin to the top with chicken salad, pressing it down and pulling up the plastic wrap to eliminate any air pockets. Cover with a final layer of mashed potatoes, going up to 1/2 inch or more over the rim.
• Seal top with a new layer of plastic wrap and fold the sides over to seal. Refrigerate salads until completely chilled, at least 1 hour.
• Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, and aji amarillo together for the sauce, adding a splash of water to adjust the thickness.
• Remove the top layer of plastic wrap from each salad. Invert each ramekin onto a serving plate; remove ramekins, then plastic wrap. Spoon some sauce around each salad.