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Pollo Asado is a perfect blend of smoky, tangy, and savory flavors, and it can be served as the main course or as part of a bigger meal. So grab your apron, fire up the grill, and get ready to discover the delicious and timeless flavors of Pollo Asado.

What is Pollo Asado

Pollo Asado, or "grilled chicken" in English, is a popular dish enjoyed by many, both in Mexico and worldwide, and for a good reason.

The origins can be traced back to Sonora in Mexico, which was said to have been created by ranchers who grilled chicken over an open fire in the fields. Over time, the dish spread throughout Mexico, including various regional ingredients and cooking techniques.

The key ingredients for Pollo Asado include chicken, a citrus-based marinade, and a mix of herbs and spices. The marinade typically contains ingredients such as lime or orange juice, garlic, cumin, and chili powder.

The chicken is then grilled to perfection, resulting in a crispy, flavorful exterior and a juicy, tender interior.

How to Make Pollo Asado

Ingredients

Chicken: I used Organic Chicken breasts that I butterflied for my Pollo Asado Recipe.

Liquids: Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice and fresh orange juice are all you will need here. This adds the perfect citrusy and tangy flavor to your pollo asado.

Seasonings and Spices: For the remaining ingredients, I used fresh cilantro, minced garlic, an onion, cumin, Mexican Oregano, Ground Coriander, Smoked Paprika, Kosher Salt, and Black Pepper.

Directions

Begin by butterflying the chicken breasts to make them thinner and more even. If you'd like, you can take this further and pound them out using a chicken mallet. This will ensure even grilling and make them even more tender. However, I don't find that to be necessary with this chicken.

Next, place your butterflied in a large plastic zipper bag and set them aside.

Combine all the remaining ingredients in a high-powered food processor or blender. I am using the Instant Ace Nova currently, and I placed everything in the blender and set it to the smoothie setting. This gave me the perfect texture for the Apollo asado marinade.

Pour the marinade over the chicken in the Ziploc bag and ensure all chicken is heaven coated. Squeeze the air out of the bag, seal it up, and stick it in the fridge to marinate for at least an hour, preferably overnight.

Once you are ready to start the grilling process, set your grill to 400°f. Once it has come to temp, add the chicken to the grate.

Be sure to flip the chicken over once you see that it's about halfway cooked through and you have some nice blackened ends and grill marks.

Now, cook it to an internal temp of 165°f, remove it from the grill, and serve it how you'd like.

How to Serve Pollo Asado

Once you have mastered the art of cooking Pollo Asado, the next step is figuring out the best way to serve it. Luckily, there are many delicious and versatile options to choose from. Here are some ideas for serving Pollo Asado:

With Rice and Charro Beans: Pollo Asado goes perfectly with Charro Beans and Mexican-style rice. The rice can be flavored with cilantro, lime juice, and other herbs, while the beans get pressure cooked with chorizo, bacon, and all kinds of unique herbs and spices.
In Tacos: Pollo Asado makes for an excellent taco filling. Chop up the grilled chicken, warm up some tortillas, and add your favorite taco toppings, such as diced onions, fresh cilantro, and salsa.
With Grilled Vegetables: Pollo Asado pairs well with grilled vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. Brush the veggies with oil and seasonings, and grill them with the chicken.
In a Salad: Pollo Asado can also be used as a protein source in a salad. Combine chopped grilled chicken with greens, avocado, tomatoes, and a lime-based dressing for a refreshing and healthy meal.

Now that you have some ideas for serving Pollo Asado, it's time to think about how to garnish it.

Chopped Cilantro: Sprinkle some fresh cilantro on top of the chicken for a burst of flavor and color.
Lime Wedges: Serve lime wedges alongside the chicken so that diners can squeeze fresh lime juice on top.
Pico de Gallo: A spoonful of fresh pico can add an extra layer of flavor to the chicken.
Guacamole: Pollo Asado goes perfectly with a side of creamy guacamole.

By experimenting with different serving suggestions and garnishes, you can customize Pollo Asado to your liking and enjoy it in various ways.

In Conclusion

Pollo Asado is a go-to recipe in our family for so many different dishes and occasions. It's easy to prepare and has a flavor unlike any other chicken you'll ever try. If you like Chipotle Pollo Asado, you'll love this recipe!

You may also want to check out this recipe for Barbacoa... it's like a Chipotle copycat recipe, only better!

Thank you so much for stopping into Chicken Fried Kitchen! I hope you love this recipe and can't wait to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Enjoy your Pollo Asado and as usual...

Happy Cooking!

-Jeremy