Pollo asado is a delicious Mexican dish that translates to “grilled chicken” in English. While traditionally cooked on a grill, you can also make this flavorful dish in the oven. Pollo asado is known for its tangy and savory marinade, which infuses the chicken with rich and robust flavors. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to prepare and cook pollo asado in the oven, so you can enjoy a mouthwatering Mexican meal right at home.
To start, you will need a whole chicken or chicken pieces, such as drumsticks or thighs, for this recipe. The marinade is the key to achieving the authentic taste of pollo asado. It consists of a combination of citrus juices, such as orange and lime, along with spices like cumin, paprika, and chili powder. To enhance the flavors even more, add minced garlic, chopped cilantro, and a dash of oregano. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
Once you have prepared the marinade, place the chicken in a large resealable plastic bag or a glass dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure it is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. This will allow the chicken to absorb the flavors and tenderize.
When you’re ready to cook the pollo asado, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in a baking dish or roasting pan. You can discard the leftover marinade. Bake the chicken in the oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.
Once the pollo asado is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in moist and succulent chicken. Serve the pollo asado with rice, beans, tortillas, and your favorite Mexican toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Enjoy this delicious and flavorful dish with your family and friends!
Pollo Asado in the Oven: How to Cook Delicious Mexican Chicken
Pollo asado is a flavorful Mexican dish that features grilled or roasted chicken with a delicious blend of spices. While traditionally cooked on a charcoal grill, you can also make pollo asado in the oven for equally tasty results. This method is perfect for those who don’t have access to a grill or prefer the convenience of using their oven.
To make pollo asado in the oven, you will need the following ingredients:
Ingredients | Quantity |
---|---|
Chicken pieces (such as thighs, drumsticks, or breasts) | 4-6 pieces |
Lime juice | 1/4 cup |
Orange juice | 1/4 cup |
Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
Garlic cloves, minced | 4 cloves |
Cumin | 1 teaspoon |
Paprika | 1 teaspoon |
Oregano | 1 teaspoon |
Salt | 1 teaspoon |
Pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
Here’s how you can prepare the pollo asado in the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together the lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Place the chicken pieces in a large baking dish and pour the marinade over them, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight.
- Once the chicken is marinated, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast the chicken for about 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with your favorite Mexican sides such as rice, beans, and tortillas.
This oven-baked pollo asado recipe will give you tender and flavorful chicken with a hint of citrus and spices. It’s a perfect dish for a family dinner or a festive gathering with friends. Enjoy the delicious taste of Mexican cuisine without needing a grill!
Get Your Ingredients Ready:
Before you start making pollo asado in the oven, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Here is a list of what you will need:
- 4 pounds of chicken pieces (legs, drumsticks, or thighs)
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup of orange juice
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions:
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2:
In a small bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, lime juice, orange juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 3:
Place the chicken pieces in a large baking dish and pour the marinade over them. Make sure each piece is coated evenly.
Step 4:
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.
Step 5:
Once the chicken has marinated, remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
Step 6:
Remove the foil from the baking dish and place it in the preheated oven.
Note: If you prefer, you can also grill the chicken over medium-high heat instead of baking it.
Preparing the Marinade:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the juice of 2 oranges, the juice of 2 limes, 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
2. Whisk the marinade ingredients together until well combined.
3. Place the chicken pieces in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish.
4. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure all the pieces are coated.
5. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to marinate.
6. Before cooking, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the excess marinade.
7. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
8. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to take the chill off.
9. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
10. Now the chicken is ready to be cooked in the oven.
Marinating the Chicken:
Marinating the chicken is an essential step in preparing pollo asado. It infuses the meat with flavor and helps to tenderize it. Here is how you can marinate the chicken:
Ingredients:
|
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, paprika, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a marinade.
- Place the chicken pieces in a large resealable plastic bag or a glass dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that all pieces are coated evenly. Massage the marinade into the chicken to ensure it is thoroughly covered.
- Cover the bag or dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it will be.
- When you are ready to cook the pollo asado, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Marinating the chicken is an important step to achieve a delicious and flavorful pollo asado. Take your time and let the chicken soak in the flavors before cooking.
Preheating the Oven:
Before you start cooking the pollo asado, it’s important to preheat the oven to the right temperature. This ensures that your chicken cooks evenly and thoroughly.
Here is how you can preheat your oven for pollo asado:
- First, check the recipe or cooking instructions to determine the correct temperature for cooking the pollo asado. It is usually around 375°F (190°C), but it can vary depending on the recipe.
- Next, turn on your oven and set the temperature according to the recipe.
- Allow the oven to preheat for at least 10-15 minutes. This gives it enough time to reach the desired temperature and stabilize.
- While the oven is preheating, make sure to remove any racks or baking sheets that you won’t be using for cooking the pollo asado. This will give you enough space to place the chicken in the oven.
Once the oven is fully preheated and ready, you can move on to the next step of preparing and cooking the pollo asado.
Cooking the Pollo Asado:
To cook pollo asado in the oven, you will need the following ingredients:
4 pounds of chicken thighs and drumsticks |
2 oranges, juiced |
4 limes, juiced |
4 cloves of garlic, minced |
2 tablespoons of olive oil |
1 tablespoon of paprika |
1 tablespoon of dried oregano |
1 teaspoon of cumin |
1 teaspoon of salt |
1 teaspoon of black pepper |
To start, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, olive oil, paprika, dried oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a marinade.
Add the chicken thighs and drumsticks to the marinade, ensuring that each piece is coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Once the chicken has marinated, transfer it to a baking dish. Arrange the pieces in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy and golden brown.
Once cooked, remove the pollo asado from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
FAQ
What is pollo asado?
Pollo asado is a traditional Mexican dish made with marinated and grilled chicken. The chicken is usually marinated in a mixture of citrus juices, garlic, and spices to give it a tangy and savory flavor. It is typically served with rice, beans, and tortillas.
Can I cook pollo asado in the oven?
Yes, you can cook pollo asado in the oven. While traditionally it is grilled, baking it in the oven is a convenient alternative. To cook pollo asado in the oven, marinate the chicken as usual and then place it on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy.
How long should I marinate the chicken for pollo asado?
It is recommended to marinate the chicken for pollo asado for at least 2 hours, but for best results, marinate it overnight. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful and tender it will be. Make sure to coat the chicken evenly with the marinade and refrigerate it while marinating.