Peruvian Roast Chicken with Garlic and Lime

July 7, 2025
Main Courses

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

Pollo a la brasa is one of the most beloved dishes in Peru. For our Peruvian Roast Chicken with Garlic and Lime recipe, we salted the bird and rubbed a flavorful paste all over the meat; this dried out the skin and jump-started our dish’s flavor. We substituted mint and oregano for the traditional Peruvian black mint (huacatay) paste and used smoked paprika to imitate the wood-fired flavors of a rotisserie. Instead of using the ají panca and ají amarillo chiles called for in many recipes, we used fiery habaneros and pickled jalapeños to add heat and flavor. A vertical roaster and two-pronged cooking process worked just as well as a rotisserie and gave our roast chicken perfectly cooked meat and crispy skin.

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons kosher salt
6 medium garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons finely grated zest and 1/4 cup juice from 2 limes
1 teaspoon minced habanero chile (see note)
1 (3 1/2-to 4-pound) whole chicken

KEY EQUIPMENT

Rasp Grater

Before You Begin

This recipe calls for a vertical poultry roaster. If you don’t have one, substitute a 12-ounce can of beer. Open the beer and pour out (or drink) about half of the liquid. Spray the can lightly with nonstick cooking spray and proceed with the recipe. If the top of the chicken is becoming too dark during roasting in step 3, place a 7-inch square piece of foil over the neck and wingtips. If habanero chiles are unavailable, 1 tablespoon of minced serrano chile can be substituted. Wear gloves when working with hot chiles. Serve the chicken with Spicy Mayonnaise.

INSTRUCTIONS

Process all ingredients except chicken in blender until smooth paste forms, 10 to 20 seconds. Using fingers or handle of wooden spoon, carefully loosen skin over thighs and breast and remove any excess fat. Rub half of paste beneath skin of chicken. Spread entire exterior surface of chicken with remaining paste. Tuck wingtips underneath chicken. Place chicken in gallon-size zipper-lock bag and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours.
Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Place vertical roaster on rimmed baking sheet. Slide chicken onto vertical roaster so chicken stands upright and breast is perpendicular to bottom of pan. Roast until skin just begins to turn golden and instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast registers 140 degrees, 45 to 55 minutes. Carefully remove chicken and pan from oven and increase oven temperature to 500 degrees.
When oven is heated to 500 degrees, place 1 cup water in bottom of pan and return pan to oven. Roast until entire skin is browned and crisp and instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees inserted in thickest part of breast and 175 degrees in thickest part of thigh, about 20 minutes (replenish water as necessary to keep pan from smoking), rotating bird 180 degrees halfway through cooking.
Carefully remove chicken from oven and let rest, still on vertical roaster, 20 minutes. Using kitchen towel, carefully lift chicken off vertical roaster and onto platter or cutting board. Carve chicken and serve, passing Spicy Mayonnaise separately.