Description
Pollo Loco is a vibrant and flavorful grilled chicken dish marinated in a zesty blend of lime and orange juice with spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. This recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken thighs with a smoky char, perfect for a casual dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper until fully combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken thighs into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish.
- Refrigerate: Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to penetrate, or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor infusion.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat to get it ready for cooking.
- Prepare the chicken for grilling: Remove the chicken from the marinade and gently shake off any excess liquid to prevent flare-ups on the grill.
- Grill the chicken: Place the thighs on the preheated grill and cook for 6–7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the exterior has a nice char.
- Rest and serve: Let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes off the heat to retain juices. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
- If you don’t have fresh lime and orange juice, bottled juice can be used but fresh is preferred for brightness.
- Cayenne pepper is optional; adjust the spiciness to your preference.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely to 165°F internal temperature.
- If you don’t have a grill, a grill pan or cast iron skillet can be used on the stovetop to achieve similar results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
