Pollo Asado

Quick and easy Grilled Pollo Asado is big on flavor with being so quick on prep time. Marinated chicken things that are perfectly grilled. So juicy and full of flavor. Use it to make tacos, burritos or bowls!

Spice up taco night with this incredible pollo asado recipe! This is grilled chicken like you’ve never had before. It has the most bright and bold flavors and is so juicy and tender. While this recipe specifically uses boneless chicken thighs, you can use bone-in chicken thighs, drumsticks, or even a whole chicken! This marinade works on all cuts of meat and makes the most tender and juicy pollo asado.

Homemade marinades are the name of the game when it comes to making meat tender and flavorful. Why buy a marinade at the grocery store when you can make it so much better yourself? Our garlic steak marinade is a favorite, and so is our Greek chicken marinade. But this grilled pollo asado is in a league of its own! You’re gonna love it!

Why You’ll Love this Pollo Asado Recipe

• This is a wonderful make-ahead recipe. Whether you let the chicken marinate for a while before cooking or simply store and reheat leftovers, it’s a great meal prep dish.
• The big and bold flavors of this dish are five star quality! You’ll never have to eat bland and flavorless chicken again.
• It is really easy to learn how to make pollo asado. This recipe is super simple and incredibly tasty.

Ingredients for Pollo Asado

• Chicken thighs – Use boneless skinless chicken thighs for the best flavor. However, you can also use chicken breast.
• Orange juice – For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed orange juice. You can use bottled orange juice in a pinch, but fresh orange juice adds so much flavor.
• Lime juice – I recommend using fresh lime juice too! Using fresh citrus juices is just a total game changer.
• Diced red onion – While you can use white onion or yellow onion, the bold flavor of diced red onion adds so much to this dish.
• Minced garlic – Mince some fresh garlic to add loads of flavor to your pollo asado.
• Olive oil – Every marinade needs an oil and an acid. Olive oil provides the best flavor for this chicken marinade! You could use vegetable oil or another neutral oil if needed.
• Spices – Mexican oregano, black pepper, ground cumin, chili powder, kosher salt. Feel free to add other spices like paprika or red pepper!

How to Make Pollo Asado

1. Add all of the marinade ingredients into a large mixing bowl and whisk until fully combined.
2. Place the chicken thighs into the bowl of marinade, making sure that each piece is covered in the sauce. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and then place in the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
3. When you are ready to cook, preheat your grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a charcoal grill, gas grill or even a griddle over medium-high heat!
4. Remove each piece of chicken from the marinade and allow the excess to drip off. Then, place the chicken on the grill grate and close the lid. Cook for 8 minutes and then flip over.
5. Cook for 8 more minutes on the other side until the internal temperature of the kitchen reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant read thermometer to get an accurate reading.
6. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

How to Store Pollo Asado

Allow chicken to cool completely then you can either slice up each thigh or store them whole. Transfer the chicken to an airtight container or freezer bag.

FRIDGE: Store the chicken in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

FREEZER: Tightly wrap the chicken in aluminum foil or plastic wrap before placing into a freezer bag. Then freeze the pollo asado for up 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

How to Reheat Grilled Pollo Asado

Reheat your leftovers in the oven or on the stovetop for the best results. Reheating chicken in the microwave tends to make the texture a little funny. Cook until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.

What is pollo asado?

Pollo asado is chicken that has been marinated in a citrusy marinade made with Mexican spices and then grilled to perfection. It’s kind of like the chicken version of carne asada. With lime juice and orange juice, you get a citrus zing. But the spices add depth of flavor and season the meat perfectly.

What to Serve with Pollo Asado

Any of your favorite Mexican food sides would pair well with this dish. Mexican rice and refried beans are a favorite for sure, but I love making Mexican street corn too.

You can slice up this meat and make pollo asado tacos! Serve on a flour tortilla or corn tortillas with toppings like pico de gallo, salsa, sour cream, guacamole and cheese. Make a fun dessert like campfire cones to round out the meal.

After your first bite of this juicy pollo asado, let us know what you think! It’s so tasty, you may just be left speechless.

More Grilled Recipes You’ll Love

• Make a simple dessert that is out of this world delicious — Grilled Peaches are so yummy!
• These Grilled Ranch Pork Chops are savory, tangy and a fabulous easy meal.
• Did you know you can make bacon on the grill? Well now you do!
• Grilled Pineapple Chicken is a sweet and savory dish that you definitely don’t want to miss!