Peruvian Potato-Chicken Salad (Causa Rellena)

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This layered Peruvian potato and chicken salad is called "causa rellena" in Peru. There's nothing very unusual about serving a chicken or potato salad at a cookout but this beautiful layered salad is sure to cause a stir! Perfect for making ahead and packing in your cooler on a hot summer day. Garnish with cherry tomatoes and cilantro if desired.

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Prep Time:
40 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
2 hrs 5 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

For the Chicken Salad:

  • 1 large cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

  • ¼ cup green peas

  • ¼ cup diced cooked carrot

  • 1 teaspoon minced shallot

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped roasted red peppers

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

  • 1 teaspoon lime juice

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise, or as needed

For Potato Mixture:

  • 1 ¼ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered

  • 2 tablespoons aji amarillo chili paste, or to taste

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 lime, juiced, or more to taste

  • cayenne pepper to taste

  • salt to taste

  • 1 avocado, quartered and sliced

For the Sauce:

  • cup mayonnaise

  • 1 tablespoon sour cream (Optional)

  • 1 small clove garlic, crushed

  • 2 teaspoons aji amarillo chili paste, or to taste

  • 1 teaspoon water as needed

Directions

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Add ají amarillo, olive oil, and lime juice to the potatoes. Season with cayenne and salt. Mash together with a potato masher. Switch to a spatula and mix until completely smooth.

  4. 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 each 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, and ají amarillo together for the sauce, adding a splash of water to adjust the thickness.

  7. 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.

    close up view of layered Peruvian Potato-Chicken Salad (Causa Rellena) garnished with cherry tomatoes and herbs on a white plate
    Chef John

Chef's Note

If you can't find ají amarillo, you can make a paste from some fire-roasted and peeled orange or red bell peppers, with red Fresno chilies for some heat. While this does get you close, you should definitely try to find a jar of the real stuff, since it does have such a unique flavor.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

658 Calories
49g Fat
41g Carbs
19g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 658
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 49g 63%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 58mg 19%
Sodium 391mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Dietary Fiber 7g 25%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 19g 38%
Vitamin C 19mg 21%
Calcium 34mg 3%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 420mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.