Pollo Asado aka Pollo Asada or just Grilled Marinated Chicken. If you’re a fan of the fresh, bold flavors of Mexican cuisine, you have most likely tried Chipotle Mexican Grill’s Pollo Asado. This popular dish features marinated grilled chicken that’s just super tender and juicy, with the right amount of yummy smoky flavor. Served up with rice, beans, and a variety of tasty salsas and fresh toppings, it’s really no wonder that this dish is a favorite of so many.
But what if you could easily recreate this delicious meal in your own kitchen? With this copycat recipe for Chipotle Grill’s Pollo Asado, you can do just that. Using very simple ingredients and a little bit of know-how, you can whip up this restaurant-quality chicken dish in no time at all.
This recipe features a simple marinade made with lime juice, orange juice, garlic, and a blend of spices, which infuses the chicken with a lot of flavor before it’s grilled to absolute perfection. The result is a very juicy, flavorful chicken that pairs perfectly with the other components of the dish, like spanish rice and black bean soup.
Whether you’re craving a taste of your favorite Mexican restaurant or just want to try something new in the kitchen, this recipe for Chipotle Grill’s Pollo Asado is sure to be a hit.
Not quite what you are looking for? Try these other great recipes:
PrintPollo Asado Chipotle
Pollo Asado (Chipotle Copycat Recipe) is one of the most flavorful grilled chicken dishes.
- Prep Time: :10
- Cook Time: :15
- Total Time: :25
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, or boneless skinless chicken breast sliced in half lengthwise
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 4–5 tbsp water , for pan frying cooking method, optional
Marinade
- 1 can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 7 oz
- 4 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 4 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 medium onions, 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
Marinade
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Add all of the marinade ingredients to a blender, food processor, or a large bowl to purée with a handheld immersion blender. Blend the ingredients until evenly combined and the sauce is smooth.
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In a large air tight container or Ziploc bag add the chicken thighs and the marinade. Mix until the chicken is evenly coated in the marinade.
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Transfer to the fridge and let marinate for up to 24 hours (marinating overnight is ideal for the best flavor but not required, marinate a minimum 15 – 30 minutes).
Grilled Chicken
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Preheat grill to high, about 350°F-400°F. Coat the grill with olive oil.
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Grill the chicken for 15-30 minutes, flipping, and until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Pan Seared Chicken
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Heat a skillet or grill pan on medium-high heat with olive oil.
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When hot, add the chicken along with all of the sauce/marinade. Searing the chicken in all of the sauce will keep it from drying out.
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Cook for 5 minutes and then flip and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Once the chicken has cooked, drizzle the leftover sauce from the pan over the cooked chicken. This enhances flavor and keeps the chicken juicy. While the chicken is searing, if you notice the sauce is starting to dry out in the skillet add a splash of water.
Air Fryer Chicken
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Coat the air fryer basket with olive oil.
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Add the chicken to the air fryer basket.
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Air fry the chicken at 400°F for 8 minutes. Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Cook for an additional 6-7 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Notes
Storage
Store the cooled pollo asado in an air tight container or Ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing
Freeze uncooked marinated pollo asado in a freezer safe container or Ziploc bag for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then continue with your preferred cooking method (grilled, pan fried or air fried). Freeze cooked pollo asado in a freezer safe container or Ziploc bag for up to 6 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat for 2 minutes in the microwave or in a frying pan with a tablespoon of oil for 2 minutes on each side.
Reheating
Reheat in the microwave for 2 minute with a splash of water, or in a frying pan stove top over medium high heat for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the chicken is warmed through.