Description
A vibrant and flavorful Mexican-inspired grilled chicken dish, Pollo Loco features juicy chicken thighs marinated in citrus juice and spices, then grilled to perfection for a smoky, zesty meal.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
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)
Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Whisk together lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a bowl.
- Place the chicken thighs in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour in the marinade. Coat well.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Remove chicken from marinade and shake off excess.
- Grill each thigh for 6–7 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior is charred.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
Marinate overnight for deeper flavor.
Swap chicken thighs with breasts or drumsticks, adjusting grill time.
Add pineapple juice to the marinade for a tropical twist.
Use chipotle powder instead of chili powder for a smoky flavor.
Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
