Pollo Asado Recipe
Pollo Asado is a vibrant and flavorful Mexican-inspired grilled chicken dish marinated in a zesty blend of chipotle peppers, lime, orange juice, garlic, and aromatic spices. This recipe offers multiple cooking methods including grilling, pan-searing, and air frying to achieve juicy, tender chicken with smoky and tangy notes perfect for any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-30 minutes (depending on cooking method)
- Total Time: 25 minutes to 24 hours (including marination time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or boneless skinless chicken breast sliced in half lengthwise)
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 4–5 tbsp water (optional, for pan frying cooking method)
Marinade
- 1 can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (7 oz can)
- 4 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 4 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 medium onion (quartered)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground coriander (optional)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: Add all marinade ingredients to a blender, food processor, or a large bowl. Blend or purée with an immersion blender until the sauce is smooth and evenly combined.
- Marinate Chicken: Place chicken thighs in a large airtight container or Ziploc bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and mix until fully coated. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, ideally overnight, or at least 15-30 minutes for flavor infusion.
- Grill Chicken: Preheat grill to high heat (350°F-400°F) and lightly coat grill grates with olive oil. Grill chicken for 15-30 minutes, flipping occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is cooked through.
- Pan-Sear Chicken: Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high with olive oil. Add chicken along with all marinade sauce to keep moisture. Cook for 5 minutes before flipping and cooking an additional 3-5 minutes until internal temperature is 165°F. Drizzle remaining pan sauce over chicken before serving. If sauce starts to dry, add a splash of water.
- Air Fry Chicken: Lightly coat air fryer basket with olive oil. Place chicken in basket and air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes. Flip chicken and continue cooking for 6-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Notes
- Marinating overnight intensifies flavors but a minimum of 15-30 minutes still works well.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- If using chicken breasts, slice lengthwise for even cooking.
- Add water during pan-searing if marinade starts to burn or dry out to maintain juiciness.
- This recipe is versatile and can be cooked on grill, stovetop, or air fryer based on convenience.
Keywords: Pollo Asado, Mexican grilled chicken, chipotle chicken, marinated chicken, grilled chicken thighs, air fryer chicken, pan-seared chicken
Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/pollo-asado-recipe/
