Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Recipe

This Pollo Asado is a juicy and flavorful recipe, which is made with chicken thighs and achiote paste. It’s a great choice for a barbecue, ready in about 35 minutes, plus marination time.

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Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Recipe Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• ¼ cup lime juice
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 ounces achiote paste
• 1 TBS EACH ground coriander, ground cumin, kosher salt
• 2 tsp EACH smoked paprika, dried oregano
• 1 tsp EACH pepper, chipotle chile pepper

For the Chicken:

• 4-5 pounds bone-in chicken thighs

How To Make Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado

1. Make the Marinade: In a large bowl or a freezer-sized plastic bag, whisk all of the marinade ingredients together until well combined.
2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and turn to coat them completely. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 4 hours, and up to 24 hours.
3. Prep for Grilling: About 20-30 minutes before cooking, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (425-450°F). Clean the grates and grease them with vegetable oil.
4. Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken on the hot grill. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, with the lid closed, until the chicken is cooked through and an internal thermometer reads 175°F.
5. Rest and Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe Tips

• What is Achiote Paste? Achiote paste is a popular Latin American seasoning made from ground annatto seeds, vinegar, and spices. It has a slightly sweet, peppery, and smoky flavor and gives the pollo asado its signature vibrant orange-red color. You can find it in the ethnic aisle of most grocery stores or at a Latin market.
• Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling? Yes. To bake, preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil, place the marinated chicken on it in a single layer, and bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F.
• How long should I marinate the chicken? For the best flavor, marinate the chicken thighs for at least 4 hours. If you are using boneless chicken breasts, do not marinate for longer than 12 hours, as the citrus juice can start to break down the meat and make it mushy.
• Can I use different cuts of chicken? Absolutely. This marinade is delicious on boneless thighs, breasts, drumsticks, or leg quarters. Cooking times will vary depending on the cut, so always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness (165°F for white meat, 175-180°F for dark meat).

What To Serve With Pollo Asado

This flavorful grilled chicken is the star of a fantastic meal. Serve it with:

• Warm corn or flour tortillas
• Mexican rice or Cilantro Lime Rice
• Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)
• Fresh salsas like Mango Salsa or Pineapple Salsa
• Black beans

How To Store Pollo Asado

• Refrigerate: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Let the chicken cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. It can be frozen for 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Pollo Asado Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Protein: 40g
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Sugar: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Trader Joe’s Artichoke Pasta Sauce Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Sauce Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Stir Fry Sauce Recipe