Peruvian rotisserie chicken, called pollo a la brasa, has a simple job: crisp, well-seasoned skin on the outside and tender, juicy meat underneath. New Jersey has plenty of places that roast it, from tiny counter shops to a busy restaurant inside one of the biggest shopping destinations in the state.
The seven spots below stretch from Paterson down to Bridgeton, and each one brings something a little different to the table, whether that is a standout green sauce, a late-night crowd, or a bargain whole-bird deal. Grab a friend, save this list, and plan your next chicken run.
1. Kiko’s Peruvian Kitchen, Collingswood, NJ
© Kiko’s Peruvian Kitchen, Collingswood, NJ
Collings Avenue already has a reputation as one of South Jersey’s best walking-and-eating streets, and Kiko’s gives it a serious chicken option. The restaurant is casual and family-owned, with a menu built around pollo a la brasa and traditional Peruvian comfort food.
The chicken arrives with crispy skin and meat that stays flavorful all the way to the bone. Pair it with the thick-cut fries, yuca fries, or Arroz Verde, the cilantro rice, and do not skip the spicy cilantro sauce served on the side.
Feeding a crew? The Whole Chicken with large fries and two salads is the easy order.
I like that the rest of the menu holds its own too. Lomo saltado, aji de gallina, papa rellena, and papa a la huancaina all show up, and dessert fans can finish with picarones or crema volteada.
Hours are on the shorter side, so plan ahead. Kiko’s is closed Monday, opens at 4 PM Tuesday and Wednesday, and runs midday into the evening the rest of the week.
Weekends get busy, and dinner reservations are recommended. Expect to spend about $20 to $30 per person.
2. Planet Chicken, Dunellen, NJ
© Planet Chicken, Dunellen, NJ
Some chicken spots try to be everything. Planet Chicken keeps its focus tight, and the name tells you exactly where that focus lands.
This no-frills counter-serve shop on North Washington Avenue specializes in Peruvian roasted chicken for eating in or taking home. The skin comes out crisp and savory, and the meat stays juicy and tender.
The aji verde is the sidekick you want here. That green sauce goes on everything, from the chicken to the fries.
Sides are where regulars build their perfect plate. The avocado salad has a strong following, and yellow rice, maduros, yuca frita or sancochada, frijoles, and papas fritas round things out.
If you want to branch out, try the tallarines verdes con bistek or a ceviche de pescado.
Families get some thoughtful touches, including high chairs and a kids’ menu, and the restaurant also handles catering. Grab an Inca Kola to complete the Peruvian experience.
A practical tip: street parking can be tough, so give yourself a few extra minutes. Planet Chicken is closed Tuesday and open 11:30 AM to 9 PM every other day.
3. Peru Chikann, Hillsborough Township, NJ
© Peru Chikann, Hillsborough Township, NJ
Not everyone wants heat with their chicken, and that is where Peru Chikann shines. The pollo a la brasa here is well seasoned and flavorful without leaning spicy, which makes it an easy pick for mixed groups and picky eaters.
The restaurant sits right on US-206 and describes itself as a place that feels like home while showing off the true flavors of Peru. The cooking is from scratch, and the chicken comes out fall-off-the-bone tender.
A half chicken with fries, salad, and green sauce is the classic move. Add a drizzle of aji verde and you have the whole point of this list on one plate.
Portions are generous, so the menu rewards sharing. Pollo saltado, Peruvian fried rice, lomo saltado, tacu tacu, and ceviche matador all deserve a look, and the Peruvian corn and chicha morada add a nice local touch.
Save room for picarones or tres leches.
Practical perks include a free parking lot, a kids’ menu, delivery, and catering. Peru Chikann is closed Tuesday and stays open until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
4. Leña y Carbón Bar & Lounge, Paterson, NJ
© Leña y Carbón Bar & Lounge, Paterson, NJ
The name translates to wood and charcoal, and that tells you a lot about what comes out of the kitchen. The rotisserie chicken at this Market Street spot carries a smoky flavor backed by a well-spiced marinade, all at a fair price.
Paterson has one of the largest Peruvian communities in the country, so the bar for good chicken is high. Leña y Carbón clears it with fresh, well-portioned plates served with fries and green sauce.
The chicken lomo is another favorite here, and the traditional lomo saltado is a strong pick too.
Seafood fans have plenty to explore. Jalea, arroz con mariscos, plato marino, and leche de tigre all appear on the menu, along with tallarines verde and papa a la huancaina.
There is even a full vegan menu.
What really sets this stop apart is the atmosphere. The space has a dance floor and live music, so dinner can easily turn into a night out.
Hours run late on weekends, until 1 AM on Friday and Saturday. Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu available.
5. La Caravana Restaurant, Elizabeth, NJ
© La Caravana Restaurant, Elizabeth, NJ
Elizabeth has no shortage of Peruvian restaurants, which makes standing out a real accomplishment. La Caravana does it with a humble setup and a pollo a la brasa that tastes like it came straight from Peru.
The chicken stays moist, the fries are crisp, and the green sauce is the kind you will want extra of.
Beyond the bird, the menu leans toward seafood in a big way. Ceviche Caravana, ceviche de pescado, chicharron de calamar, pescado a lo macho, and pescado a la chorrillana all make appearances.
Arroz chaufa, Peru’s take on fried rice, is a popular partner for the chicken. Salchipapas, fries topped with sliced hot dogs, is fun for kids or anyone craving pure comfort food.
Prices land around $10 to $30 per person, which feels like a bargain for the portion sizes.
The catch is its popularity. There is usually a wait, dinner reservations are recommended, and parking nearby can be tricky, so plan accordingly.
La Caravana is closed Tuesday and otherwise opens at noon, staying open until 8:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.
6. Jarana New Jersey – Peruvian Cuisine & Pisco Bar, East Rutherford, NJ
© Jarana New Jersey – Peruvian Cuisine & Pisco Bar, East Rutherford, NJ
Shopping trip plus chicken dinner is a pretty great combination. Jarana sits inside American Dream in East Rutherford, which makes it the most unusual setting on this list.
This is the dressed-up option. The dining room is colorful, the kitchen is open, and the cooking uses woks, an open-fire charcoal grill, and a rotisserie.
The Peruvian rotisserie chicken platter comes out juicy and well seasoned, and the lineup of house sauces pairs nicely with the smoky grilled meats. Ask for a few to compare.
The menu goes deep, too. Causa Nikkei, anticuchos, jalea, papa rellena, lomo saltado, and chicharron de pollo show a wider range of Peruvian cooking than many chicken shops offer.
The Criollo Sharing Platter is handy for groups.
Desserts are a highlight here, with picarones, mil hojas de fresas, and a layered chocolate cake with strawberry. Chicha morada is a great non-fizzy drink option.
Budget accordingly, since meals typically run $50 to $100 per person. Reservations are recommended for brunch and dinner, and parking includes a garage and valet.
There is outdoor seating, and dogs are allowed outside.
7. Inka Chicken Restaurant & Bar, Bridgeton, NJ
© Inka Chicken Restaurant & Bar, Bridgeton, NJ
At around $10 to $20 per person, Inka Chicken is the budget-friendly pick of the bunch. It also happens to be one of the few spots in Cumberland County dedicated to Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken.
The chicken is moist and well seasoned, and the whole chicken meal deal is the move for families. It comes with sides like a salad and mashed potatoes, plus a cilantro topping that ties the plate together.
Peruvian rice is a strong partner for the chicken, and the portions are large.
This place also goes beyond the rotisserie. Smash burgers and crispy chicken sandwiches share the menu, which helps when not everyone at the table wants the same thing.
Here is a detail I appreciate: Inka Chicken serves breakfast. Doors open at 9 AM Thursday through Sunday, earlier than any other stop on this list.
The restaurant is clean and casual, with free Wi-Fi, a kids’ menu, and a free parking lot. Curbside pickup and delivery are available too.
Inka Chicken is closed Monday and stays open until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, making it an easy last stop on a South Jersey chicken tour.
Dining and Cooking