Pollo Asado Recipe (Mexican Roast Chicken)

4.90 from 29 votes

Pollo Asado Recipe (Mexican Roast Chicken)

This pollo asado recipe is the ultimate Mexican roast chicken, marinated in zesty citrus and spices, then grilled and roasted for big flavor, so tender and juicy!

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Marinating1

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: achiote, chicken, roast, sazon, spicy

Servings:

Calories: 449kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Ingredients

2.5 pounds chicken parts bone-in, skin on - use a whole cut up chicken or your favorite parts, like leg thigh quarters, breasts, etc
1/2 cup olive oil + more as needed
Juice from 1 large orange
Juice from 1 large lime
2 tablespoons vinegar
6 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon sazon + more for sprinkling
1 tablespoon achiote powder + more for sprinkling
1 tablespoon paprika or use cayenne for more heat
1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
FOR GARNISH: Fresh chopped cilantro, lime wedges, chili flakes

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken. Mix together 1/2 cup olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, garlic, sazon, achiote, paprika, oregano, cumin, red pepper flakes and a bit of salt and pepper. Add the chicken to a large platter or dish and pour in the marinade. Alternatively, you can use a large sealable bag. Refrigerate and marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour. 3 hours is best.
Grill the Chicken. Remove the chicken from the marinade and reserve the marinade. Heat your grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates. Sprinkle the chicken with extra sazon and achiote powder. Grill the chicken pieces 5 minutes per side.
Roast the Chicken. Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Set the grilled chicken into a baking dish or cast iron pan and roast the chicken for 20 minutes, or until the chicken cooks through, turning half way through and basting often for the first 10 minutes with the reserved marinade. The chicken should measure 165 degrees F. internally when checked with a meat thermometer.
Garnish and serve! Discard any remaining marinade.

Video

Notes

Simple Roasting Method. If you prefer, you can skip the grill and simply roast the chicken for 30 minutes, or until it cooks through. You can turn on the broiler and broil the chicken the last few minutes to get a nice char on the skin.

Simple Grill Method. You can also skip the oven and finish roasting the chicken on the grill. To do so, after grilling the chicken over direct heat, move the chicken to the other side of the grill with the burners off for indirect cooking and roast until it cooks through to 165 degrees F. internally.

Nutrition