
Jump to:
Cooking Tallarin Saltado feels like taking a delightful culinary journey that marries the best of Chinese and Peruvian flavors. I always begin by marinating the chicken slices in a rich concoction of soy sauce, white wine vinegar, and spices like cumin and ginger. While the chicken absorbs these flavorful notes, I set the pasta to boil and get busy slicing the vibrant bell peppers and onions. The aroma that fills my kitchen during this prep work is intoxicating; it's a heady mix of spices that promise a delicious meal ahead.
When everything is sliced, marinated, and boiled, that's when the real fun starts. I fire up my wok, ensuring it's piping hot before the chicken hits the surface. A few minutes of stir-frying and the chicken transforms into tender, succulent pieces. The veggies follow, gaining a charred, smoky flavor while retaining a satisfying crunch. Finally, it all comes together: the chicken, veggies, and al dente pasta all swirled in a sauce medley of soy, oyster, and Worcestershire. A sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions and cilantro for garnish, and voila! I've got a plate of Tallarin Saltado that's bursting with flavor and color, ready to be savored.
Substitutions for Tallarín Saltado
Soy Sauce: Tamari can be used as a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
Oyster Sauce: If you're avoiding shellfish or want a vegetarian alternative, mushroom sauce or hoisin sauce could work as substitutes.
White Wine Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar can be used in place of white wine vinegar for the marinade.
Ground Cumin: If you don't have ground cumin, you could use a pinch of garam masala or ground coriander for a slightly different but compatible flavor.
Green Onions and Cilantro for Garnish: If these aren't to your liking or you're missing one, parsley or basil can add a nice touch.
Fresh Garlic: If you don't have fresh garlic, garlic powder can be used. One clove is roughly equivalent to ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Tallarin Saltado
Marinating Time: While the recipe suggests 10-15 minutes for marinating, if you have time, marinating the chicken for at least an hour will yield more flavorful results.
High Heat: Ensure that the wok or skillet is hot before adding your ingredients for stir-frying to get that characteristic sear without making the meat or vegetables soggy.
Noodle Preparation: To prevent the noodles from sticking together after boiling and draining, you can toss them in a small amount of oil.
Veggies: Cut all your vegetables and have them ready before you start cooking. Stir-frying is a quick process, and having everything prepped ensures you don't overcook any component.
Seasoning: Go easy on the salt as the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Worcestershire sauce are already quite salty. Always taste and adjust seasoning after combining all the ingredients.
Presentation: Serve it hot for the best flavor. And don't forget, garnishing with fresh cilantro and green onions really elevates the look and taste of the dish.
Recipe

Tallarin Saltado
Equipment
Ingredients
For Tallarin Saltado:
- 8 oz linguine or spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb chicken breast thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 green onions chopped (for garnish)
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
For Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, combine all marinade ingredients. Add chicken slices and let marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the noodles according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Stir-fry Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until cooked through. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- Stir-fry Vegetables: In the same wok, heat the remaining oil and sauté the bell peppers, onion, and garlic until slightly tender yet crisp.
- Combine with Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the wok, and add soy sauce, oyster sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and cumin. Stir to combine well.
- Add Noodles: Toss in the cooked noodles, and stir-fry for a few minutes until all ingredients are well mixed and the noodles are heated through.
- Season: Adjust with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Garnish and Serve: Divide into plates, garnish with chopped green onions and fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately with a side of lime wedges if desired.
Notes
- Customize the vegetables according to your preferences, but keep the texture crisp to maintain the character of the dish.
Nutrition
Tallarin Saltado - FAQ
Absolutely, Tallarín Saltado is quite versatile. You can use thinly sliced beef, shrimp, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time based on the protein you choose.
The basic recipe is not spicy, but you can easily add heat by including a sliced jalapeño, red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce.
While fresh garlic is ideal for the best flavor, pre-minced garlic from a jar or even garlic powder can be used in a pinch. One clove is roughly equivalent to ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder.
You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance for more flavor. Vegetables can also be sliced ahead of time and stored in the fridge. However, it's best to cook the noodles just before you're ready to make the dish. To avoid them getting too sticky.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat using a skillet over medium heat for the best texture.
This dish is pretty complete on its own. If you want to add more, a side of steamed rice or a light salad would complement it well.
Ruth Bender says
Great recipe, I definitely prefer this recipe with chicken over pork
Amy Firston says
Perfect level of spice 🙂
michael whiting says
ty