Causa Rellena con Pollo: Yellow Potatoes with Chicken Salad

By
Marian Blazes
Marian Blazes
Marian Blazes is a freelance writer and recipe developer with a passion for South American food. She wrote a cookbook focusing on the cuisine of Brazil.
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Updated on 08/11/19
Causa Rellena
Marian Blazes
Prep: 50 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 80 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
666 Calories
39g Fat
42g Carbs
38g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 666
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 39g 50%
Saturated Fat 8g 38%
Cholesterol 110mg 37%
Sodium 245mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Dietary Fiber 7g 24%
Protein 38g
Calcium 85mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Hearty yet refreshing, cool yet mildly picante, causa is an intriguing mix of the abundant flavors found in the region of Peru. The name "causa" comes from the Incan Quechuan word "kausaq," meaning “that which gives life.” During their subjugation of Peru, the Spanish conquistadors made use of many Indigenous foods and combined them with foods they brought from Europe, creating the distinctive Peruvian cuisine that exists today. Causa is one of these hybrid dishes--a combination of the ancient potato, avocado and aji amarillo that are all native to Peru, and the lime, garlic and chicken imported from Europe. 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 4 limes
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 yellow potatoes (3 to 4 pounds)
  • 1 fresh aji amarillo chili pepper, or jarred aji amarillo pepper paste to taste
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil, divided
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • Optional garnish: chopped parsley, 1 sliced hard boiled egg, sliced black olives

Steps to Make It

  1. Place the chopped onion in a small bowl with the juice of 1 lime and season lightly with salt. Set aside to marinate while the potatoes cook.

  2. Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water until soft. Peel the potatoes once they are cool enough to handle, then pass them through the finest disk of a potato ricer (or thoroughly mash them). Set aside.

  3. If using a fresh chili pepper, remove the seeds and coarsely chop the pepper. Place in a food processor or blender, along with the juice of the remaining 3 limes, the garlic, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Process until smooth.

  4. Stir the lime/chili mixture into the potatoes, adding it in parts and tasting after each addition, until potatoes are seasoned to your liking. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and season potatoes with more salt and pepper if needed. If using the jarred chili pepper paste, add the paste to potatoes 1 tablespoon at a time, until potatoes are seasoned as desired.

  5. To poach the chicken, fill a pot large enough to fit the chicken breasts in one layer with a couple inches of cold water; season with salt and pepper. Add chicken breasts and cook at a low simmer until just cooked through about 15 minutes. Shred the cooked chicken, place in a bowl, and mix with the mayonnaise and the marinated onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  6. Generously oil a springform pan with vegetable oil. Press half of the mashed potato mixture into the bottom of the pan. Use a small offset spatula or knife to spread the potato mixer into an even layer. Cover with the chicken salad in a smooth layer. Top the chicken salad with slices of avocado. Layer the other half of the potato mixture on top and smooth the potatoes with a knife or offset spatula.

  7. Decorate the top with parsley leaves, slices of hard-boiled eggs and sliced olives if desired. Serve chilled.

Tip

  • You can also shape the potatoes into individual servings. Remove the top and bottom parts from a clean empty can to make a ring. Grease the inside of the can with vegetable oil. Rest the can on a plate, and layer the potatoes, chicken, and avocado inside the can, pressing down firmly, then carefully remove the can. Or shape the causa by hand (without a mold or pan) onto a plate.

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