Description
This Homemade Pollo Loco is a flavorful, tender grilled chicken marinated in a zesty blend of spices and citrus. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or served with rice and beans.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 orange)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, for balancing acidity)
For Serving:
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Mexican rice, beans, or tortillas (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade:
- In a medium bowl, combine the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), sugar, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken:
- Place the chicken thighs (or breasts) in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 6 hours. For maximum flavor, marinate overnight.
- Grill the Chicken:
- Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any leftover marinade.
- Grill the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side (for thighs) or 4-6 minutes per side (for breasts), or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve:
- Once grilled, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Serve with lime wedges and freshly chopped cilantro for garnish.
- Pair with Mexican rice, beans, or serve in tortillas for tacos or burritos.
Notes
- Chicken Options: This recipe works well with both chicken thighs and breasts, but thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful due to their higher fat content.
- Grill Alternatives: If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken in a grill pan or skillet on the stovetop. Just be sure to cook over medium-high heat for a nice sear.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or chili powder depending on how spicy you want the chicken. You can also skip the cayenne for a milder version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken (1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg