Grilled Peruvian Aji Panca Wings
After the smashing success of our Peruvian Beef Skewers, I got to thinking…this sauce would be amazing on wings! Here is the result!
Things to know:
What is Aji Panca?
Ají panca is a mild, smoky Peruvian chili pepper with a fruity, berry-like flavor, often used as a paste or powder in traditional dishes like anticuchos (skewered meat) and stews, adding depth and color without intense heat. It’s a staple in Peruvian cuisine, used in marinades, sauces, soups, and even desserts, and is known for its rich, dark red color and complex taste.
What does aji panca taste like?
Fresh Aji Panca chile peppers have a sweet and smoky flavor with subtle fruity notes reminiscent of blueberries and blackberries. When dried, the skin of the Aji Panca develops into a chocolate brown and has a flavor that can be described as raisin-like, with smoky overtones, hints of berry, and a mild, lingering heat.
What is a substitute for aji panca?
We do not recommend that you use a substitute, as api panca paste can be found on Amazon at a good price. There is a link in the recipe, but if you must: The best substitutes for ají panca are smoky, mild, and fruity dried chilies. Use Pasilla chilies (closest flavor match, raisin-like) or Ancho chilies (sweeter, more common) as pastes or powders. For smoky heat, chipotle powder is a strong alternative, while guajillo chilies can work for a milder, brighter substitute.
Is aji panca spicy?
Aji panca is not typically considered spicy; it is a mild Peruvian chili with a smoky, fruity, and slightly sweet flavor profile, often likened to berries. It rates very low on the Scoville scale (500–1,500 SHU), adding deep red color and flavor to dishes rather than significant heat. For comparison, chipotles rate at between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
Ingredients:
For the wings:
1 family pack of wings
For the wing sauce:
6 cloves garlic, peeled
1 T cumin seeds
1/4 cup Aji Panca Paste
2 T red wine vinegar
1 T Spiceology’s Achiote seasoning
2 T achiote oil
Creamy Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce:
3 jalapeños, seeded and roughly chopped
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 green onions, chopped (green parts only)
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
Juice from 1 lime
1/2 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
1. Make the Creamy Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce: Blend jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, garlic, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Drizzle in olive oil while blending. Chill until serving.
2. Make the wing sauce: In a dry skillet over medium heat, add the garlic and cook until browned on all sides (about 2 minutes per side). Transfer the garlic to a small bowl and allow to cool.
3. Add the cumin seeds to the hot skillet and toast for 2-4 minutes until lightly browned and very fragrant. Allow the seed to cool, then grind into a powder.
4. Add the cumin powder, garlic, achiote seasoning and aji panda paste to a food processor and puree into a fine paste. Drizzle in the vinegar and enough achiote oil to make a thick paste. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Set up your grill by preparing a half chimney of charcoal. After 15 minutes of burning, place them in a Vortex holder positioned in the middle of your grill, then add the grate.
6. Fully open the bottom and top vents and allow the grill to heat up for 10 minutes.
7. Place the chicken wings around the perimeter of the grill. Cook for 35 minutes, ensuring you rotate the lid 1/3 turn every 10 minutes to prevent hot spots.
8. Spray cooking oil (even better, duck fat if you can find it) on the wings at the 35 minute point, replace the lid and allow to cook for 5 more minutes.
9. Flip the wings, apply the cooking oil or duck fat to the other side of the wings, replace lid and allow to cook for 5 more minutes.
10. Verify the wings have reached an internal temp of at least 165F with an instant read thermometer, then remove the wings from the grill, toss them in a bowl with the sauce and return them to the grill for 10 more minutes.
11. Remove the sauced wings from the grill, plate up and serve. ENJOY!
Equipment used:
Dalstrong Barbarian Obliterator Cleaver
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