Coyote Crossing

Peruvian-Style Roast Chicken with Potatoes

Serves 20

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Combine cumin, paprika, oregano, 5 tablespoons salt, and 1 tablespoon pepper. With kitchen shears, cut chicken along its backbone along one side; open like a book. Place on a rimmed baking sheet, breast-side up; press down at. Rub each chicken all over with 2 tablespoons oil and grated garlic. Sprinkle with spice mixture. Let stand 1 hour (or refrigerate, covered, overnight).
  2. Preheat ovens to 425 degrees. In a saucepan, cover potatoes with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil; add a generous amount of salt. Boil until just tender, 11 to 13 minutes. Drain and immediately return to pan; toss with remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. (Potatoes will break apart slightly.)
  3. Scatter potatoes around chicken. Roast until chicken is golden and a thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast registers 160 degrees, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate. Flip potatoes and continue to roast until golden and crisp, 5 to 10 minutes more.
  4. Meanwhile, purée cilantro, jalapeño, chopped garlic, mayonnaise, lime juice, and 5 tablespoon water in a blender until smooth. (If sauce is too thick, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.) Season with salt.
  5. Carve chickens and arrange on platters with potatoes. Sprinkle with cilantro leaves and serve with cilantro sauce and lime wedges on the side