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El Pollo Loco Chicken

A delicious citrus-marinated grilled chicken, inspired by the famous El Pollo Loco recipe.

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El Pollo Loco Chicken - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Perfecting Your El Pollo Loco Chicken

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Marinating the Chicken:
The key to flavorful Pollo Loco is marinating it for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, so the citrus and spices penetrate the meat.
Grilling for the Perfect Char:
Cook the chicken over medium-high heat and flip occasionally for even cooking. Avoid pressing down on the chicken to retain its juices.
Achieving a Crispy Skin:
For an extra crispy and flavorful skin, finish the chicken over direct high heat for the last few minutes.
El Pollo Loco Chicken - secondary view

Mastering El Pollo Loco Chicken

Marinating the Chicken
The key to flavorful Pollo Loco is marinating it for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, so the citrus and spices penetrate the meat.
Grilling for the Perfect Char
Cook the chicken over medium-high heat and flip occasionally for even cooking. Avoid pressing down on the chicken to retain its juices.
Achieving a Crispy Skin
For an extra crispy and flavorful skin, finish the chicken over direct high heat for the last few minutes.
Perfecting Your El Pollo Loco Chicken
Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavor.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
For an authentic smoky flavor, grill over charcoal instead of gas.
If grilling is not an option, roast the chicken in the oven at 400°F for about 45 minutes, then broil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the skin.
El Pollo Loco Chicken - tertiary view

El Pollo Loco Chicken

A delicious citrus-marinated grilled chicken, inspired by the famous El Pollo Loco recipe.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
4H
Chef
JUE
Category
Main Course
Difficulty
Easy
Cuisine
Mexican
Yield
4 servings
Dietary
Gluten-Free
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0% Complete

Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For the marinade:
02
1 cup fresh orange juice
03
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
04
1/4 cup white vinegar
05
1/4 cup olive oil
06
1 tablespoon salt
07
1 teaspoon black pepper
08
1 teaspoon dried oregano
09
1 teaspoon ground cumin
10
1 teaspoon paprika
11
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
12
4 garlic cloves, minced
13
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
14
1 teaspoon sugar
15
1/2 teaspoon turmeric (for color)
16
For the chicken:
17
1 whole chicken, cut into halves or quarters (or 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and legs)
18
Cooking spray or oil for grilling

Instructions

01
In a large bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients until well combined.
02
Place the chicken in a large ziplock bag or a bowl and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
03
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 375-400°F).
04
Remove the chicken from the marinade and let the excess drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
05
Lightly oil the grill grates and place the chicken skin-side down. Grill for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown, then flip.
06
Lower the heat to medium and continue grilling, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (about 35-40 minutes total cooking time).
07
Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
08
Serve with warm tortillas, rice, salsa, or your favorite sides.