Chipotle Pollo Asado is a dish that features marinated grilled chicken with a smoky and spicy flavor. The chicken is typically marinated in a mixture of chipotle peppers, garlic, lime juice, and various spices for several hours to infuse it with flavor and tenderness.
Once marinated, the chicken is grilled until it's perfectly charred and juicy. It's often served as a protein option in Mexican-inspired dishes such as burritos, bowls, salads, tacos, and quesadillas, where it can be paired with rice, beans, vegetables, and toppings such as salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
The Chipotle Pollo Asado is a popular menu item at the fast-casual restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill, where customers can customize their own meals with various toppings and sides. It's a flavorful and satisfying option for those looking for a spicy and protein-packed meal.
What is Pollo Asado?
Pollo Asado is a popular Mexican dish that translates to "grilled chicken" in English. It's a flavorful and juicy chicken dish that's typically marinated in a mixture of citrus juices, herbs, spices, and sometimes beer or tequila, depending on the recipe.
The marinade helps to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor before it's grilled or roasted to perfection. The chicken can be served as a whole or cut into pieces, and it's often accompanied by various sides such as rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa.
Pollo Asado is a versatile dish that's perfect for any occasion, from a casual weeknight dinner to a festive barbecue party. It's a staple of Mexican cuisine and has become a popular dish in many other parts of the world due to its delicious taste and simplicity of preparation.
What to Serve with Pollo Asado?
Pollo Asado, or grilled or roasted chicken, is a popular dish in many Latin American countries. It is often served with a variety of side dishes that complement its bold, smoky flavors. Here are some options you can consider:
1. Rice: Pollo Asado pairs well with rice dishes, such as white rice, Spanish rice, or cilantro lime rice.
2. Beans: Black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans are traditional side dishes that go well with Pollo Asado.
3. Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables like peppers, onions, and zucchini are a great way to add some color and texture to your meal.
4. Salad: A simple green salad with avocado, tomatoes, and lime juice can balance out the richness of the chicken.
5. Tortillas: Warm tortillas can be used to wrap the chicken and make delicious tacos or burritos.
6. Salsa: A spicy salsa or pico de gallo can add some heat and flavor to your meal.
7. Guacamole: A creamy and flavorful guacamole can be used as a dip for chicken or added to tacos and burritos.
8. Corn: Grilled or boiled corn on the cob is a popular side dish that goes well with Pollo Asado.
9. Ceviche: A fresh and tangy ceviche made with shrimp or fish can add some variety to your meal.
10. Plantains: Sweet plantains or tostones (fried plantains) are a delicious and traditional side dish that pairs well with Pollo Asado.
What is in Pollo Asado?
Chicken Shanks – any cut of funk can be used for pollo asado but my particular fave is boneless skinless funk shanks. They're perfect for cutting up into bite-sized pieces for tacos and burrito coliseums!
Onion – the stylish part about this condiment is you slightly have to fix the constituents. Just peel the onion, cut it into diggings, and pop it into a food processor or blender with the rest of the constituents.
Garlic – lots of fresh garlic is blended into the condiment that gives this funk its hand garlic flavor!
Orange Juice and Lime Juice – the combination of orange and lime juice give the condiment a unique citrus flavor that dyads impeccably with the hoarse chipotle peppers in adobo.
Cilantro( not pictured) – this adds a newness to the condiment but you can forget this if you aren't an addict to cilantro.
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo – a secret armament in the kitchen! If you're looking to incontinently protest up the flavor of a condiment add in some chipotle peppers in adobo. They have a rich hoarse flavor and a bit of spice! They also add a beautiful red-orange color to the condiment.
Smoked Paprika – I love smoked paprika as it incontinently adds a hoarse flavor to a dish without demanding to actually bbq or caff it. This is perfect for time-round gravies as you can pan-fry or air-shindig the funk without missing out on that classic grilled flavor.
Oregano - I recommend using Mexican oregano if you can get it. It has a fuller, earthier flavor, but any dried oregano will do. Cumin is a deep earthy spice that is frequently used in Mexican cooking.
Salt and Pepper
How to Cook Chicken Asado
Marinade for grilled chicken
1 To purée with a handheld immersion blender, combine all of the marinade ingredients in a blender, food processor, or big bowl. Mix the ingredients until smooth and evenly incorporated.
2 Combine the chicken thighs and marinate in a large airtight container or Ziploc bag. Stir until the marinade is uniformly distributed over the chicken.
3 Place in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours to marinate (marinating overnight is optional but not required).
Chicken grilled
Heat the grill to 350°F-400°F. Brush olive oil onto the grill.
Grill the chicken for 15-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serve and have fun!
Chipotle Pollo Asado Pan-Seared
Melt the adulation in a skillet or caff visage over medium-high heat.
When the sauce/marinade is heated, add the chicken and all of the sauce/marinade. Searing the chicken in the entire sauce prevents it from drying out.
Cook for 5 minutes before flipping and cooking for another 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
When the chicken is done, sprinkle the remaining sauce from the pan over it. This adds flavor and keeps the chicken moist. If the sauce in the skillet starts to dry out while the chicken is searing, add a splash of water.
Serve and have fun!
Chipotle's Air Fryer Asado de Pollo
. Brush olive oil into the air fryer basket.
. Fill the air fryer basket halfway with the chicken.
. Air-fried the chicken for 8 minutes @ 400°F. Flip the chicken into the air fryer. Cook for 6-7 minutes more, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
. Serve and have fun!
Tips for the Best Pollo Asado
Pollo Asado, also known as grilled chicken, is a popular dish in Latin American cuisine. To make the best Pollo Asado, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Use fresh chicken: Start with fresh chicken that hasn't been frozen and thawed multiple times. Fresh chicken will have better texture and flavor.
Marinate the chicken: Marinating the chicken in a mixture of spices, herbs, and citrus juices is key to developing flavor and tenderizing the meat. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 2-4 hours or overnight for best results.
Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat before adding the chicken. This will help ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and doesn't stick to the grill grates.
Brush with oil: Brush the chicken with oil before placing it on the grill to help prevent sticking and promote a nice char.
Don't overcook the chicken: Cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Overcooked chicken can become dry and tough.
Let the chicken rest: After removing the chicken from the grill, let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. This will help keep the funk wettish and scrumptious. Serve with fresh setoffs Serve the Pollo Asado with fresh setoffs similar to lime wedges, diced cilantro, and sliced avocado to add flavor and texture to the dish.
Following these tips will help you make the best Pollo Asado possible. Enjoy!
Here's a recipe for Pollo Asado that serves 4-6 people:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs bone-in chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or a combination)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Lime wedges, chopped cilantro, and sliced avocado, for serving
Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Add the chicken to the bowl and toss to coat it evenly with the marinade. Cover the coliseum with plastic serape and chill for at least 2- 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Remove the funk from the condiment and let any redundant condiments drop off.
Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Serve the Pollo Asado with lime wedges, chopped cilantro, and sliced avocado on the side.
Enjoy your delicious Pollo Asado!