Pollo Loco Chicken

Servings: 6 Difficulty: Intermediate
Juicy, citrus-marinated chicken with a vibrant annatto glaze and smoky char.
Pollo Loco Chicken recipe image

Pollo Loco Chicken

Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 6 Calories: 262.2

Description

This vibrant Pollo Loco chicken dish brings the bright, zesty flavors of Mexican cuisine straight to your backyard grill. The secret lies in the marinade, a zesty blend of fresh lemon and orange juices, earthy cumin, and fragrant Mexican oregano, all brightened by the warm color of annatto. The chicken becomes incredibly tender and juicy as it soaks up these bold flavors. Grilled to perfection with a golden-brown char, this main course is both visually stunning and deeply satisfying. It pairs beautifully with simple sides like fluffy rice, refried beans, or warm tortillas. Perfect for weekend family dinners or casual gatherings, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. In a large shallow dish or resealable bag, whisk together corn oil, melted butter, minced onions, minced garlic, annatto powder, cumin, Mexican oregano, lemon juice, and orange juice until well combined.
  2. Add the chicken halves to the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or set your oven broiler to high.
  4. Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard used marinade.
  5. Place chicken on the grill or under the broiler. Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes per side, basting frequently with reserved marinade if desired (ensure basting liquid is boiled first if reused, or use fresh marinade for basting).
  6. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165&# 194;°F (74°C).
  7. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before cutting into serving pieces.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6


Amount Per Serving
Calories 262.2kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 27.2g42%
Saturated Fat 9.6g48%
Cholesterol 32.2mg11%
Sodium 98.3mg5%
Total Carbohydrate 5.1g2%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g2%
Sugars 2.0g
Protein 0.8g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: annatto, broiling, butter, chicken, corn, finely, garlic, grilling, loco, main, melted, mexican, minced, oil, onions, pollo, powder, title, vegetarian
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