Peruvian pollo a la brasa: Discover its flavor, history, and how to prepare it

The pollo a la brasa is one of the most popular dishes in Peru. Its juicy flavor and affordable price have made it a favorite. Currently, there are more than 10,000 chicken restaurants in Peru. According to reliable statistics, more than 10 million grilled chickens are consumed annually. Grilled Chicken Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of July.

History of pollo en brasa in Peru

The beginnings of grilled chicken as it is consumed today in Peru date back to 1949, when Roger Schuler, a chicken farmer, began cooking them over an iron rod to sell to the public. However, this method was very slow and impractical for large-scale sales.
One day, Don Roger, along with his friend Franz Ullrich, designed a more efficient and faster cooking system using a set of rotating rods inside an oven. Thus, the number of diners eager to enjoy Mr. Schuler's tasty chicken grew.
Over time, he added a side of French fries and salad to the extent that this succulent dish began to spread across the country and soon became a permanent fixture in families' tastes. To such an extent that grilled chicken is now a National Cultural Heritage Site.

Traditional peruvian pollo a la brasa Recipe

One whole chicken
One light beer
Salt
Pepper
Ground oregano
Cumin
Rosemary powder
One crushed garlic
One tablespoon of sugar
White vinegar

Preparation

In a bowl, mix the salt, pepper, cumin, ground garlic, beer, white vinegar, rosemary, and oregano.
Season the chicken with this mixture and let it marinate for two hours.
After that time, place it in the oven for about 45 minutes.
Open the oven door at least every 15 minutes and turn the chicken over to ensure it browns evenly on all sides.
When it's ready, cut it into 1/4 or 1/8 pieces.
French fries and salad go great with it, but you can also serve it with boiled yuca.

Where to try pollo a la brasa

There are thousands of chicken restaurants throughout Peru. So, you'll have plenty of them at your disposal to delight in Peruvian grilled chicken. Just approaching one, the smell will make you want to take advantage of this succulent opportunity. Here are a few we recommend.