Quick & Zesty Chipotle Copycat Pollo Asado Recipe

Fire up your taste buds for this mouthwatering pollo asado that captures the authentic chipotle-style flavors right in your kitchen.

Marinating chicken becomes an art form with zesty spices and citrus notes.

Bold ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste that rivals restaurant-quality dishes.

Our recipe breaks down complex techniques into simple, achievable steps anyone can master.

Mexican culinary traditions inspire every delicious bite of this juicy, smoky chicken.

Grill masters and home cooks alike will fall in love with these tender, flame-kissed pieces.

You won’t believe how easily restaurant magic happens in your own cooking space.

Why Pollo Asado Chipotle Copycat Hits The Spot

• Craft Authentic Mexican Flavors: Dive into a homemade version of Chipotle's famous pollo asado that brings restaurant-quality taste right to your kitchen without complicated techniques.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Impact: Mix marinade ingredients in a blender, toss chicken in the mixture, and let the refrigerator do the heavy lifting while you relax and anticipate a delicious meal.
• Perfect for Crowd-Pleasing Gatherings: This versatile chicken recipe works brilliantly for family dinners, potlucks, or casual weekend get-togethers, impressing guests with its rich, smoky profile and tender meat.
• Health-Conscious Protein Option: Packed with lean protein from chicken thighs and breast, enhanced by citrus juices and spices, this dish offers a nutritious alternative to processed meal options.

Pollo Asado Copycat Ingredients List

• Chicken Thighs: Tender dark meat that provides rich flavor and juiciness to the dish.
• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that absorbs the marinade and creates a delicious main component.

• Orange Juice, Lime Juice: Citrus elements that tenderize the meat and add bright, zesty flavors.
• Olive Oil: Helps distribute spices and creates a smooth, cohesive marinade.

• Garlic, Chipotle Peppers: Provide deep, smoky, and pungent flavor profile to the chicken.
• Cumin, Dried Oregano, Chili Powder: Warm and complex spices that create a traditional Mexican seasoning blend.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Fresh Cilantro, Lime Wedges: Adds fresh, bright finishing touch to the roasted chicken.

How To Cook Pollo Asado Chipotle Style

Step 1: Blend the Liquid Magic

• Orange juice
• Lime juice
• Garlic
• Chipotle peppers
• Olive oil

Pulse everything until you create a zesty, vibrant marinade that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Spice Up the Mixture

• Cumin
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chili powder

Blend until the mixture transforms into a smooth, aromatic liquid gold.

Step 3: Bath Time for the Chicken

Slide your chicken thighs and chicken breast into a large resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the meat, making sure every inch gets coated with flavor.

Step 4: Chill and Infuse

Seal the bag, squeezing out extra air. Park the bag in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours. This is where the magic happens – the marinade tenderizes and infuses the chicken with incredible taste.

Step 5: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to 425°F. Pull the chicken out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.

Step 6: Arrange for Roasting

Transfer the marinated chicken to a rimmed baking sheet. Spread the pieces skin-side up, giving each one some breathing room for perfect roasting.

Step 7: Roast to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Roast for 35-40 minutes until the chicken hits 165°F internally and sports a crispy, golden-brown skin.

Step 8: Rest and Relax

Take the chicken out and let it chill for 10 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring maximum juiciness.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Slice the chicken against the grain. Plate it up hot, and if you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some fresh cilantro or add lime wedges on the side.

Helpful Tips For Pollo Asado Chipotle Copycat

• Maximize Marinade Absorption: Let chicken soak in the marinade for the full 4-6 hours to ensure deep, complex flavor penetration throughout the meat.
• Bring Meat to Room Temperature: Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to promote even roasting and prevent uneven cooking spots.
• Crispy Skin Secret: Arrange chicken pieces skin-side up with space between them, allowing hot air to circulate and create that perfect golden-brown, crispy exterior.
• Temperature Check Matters: Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature hits 165°F, guaranteeing juicy, safely cooked chicken every single time.
• Rest for Succulence: Allow chicken to rest 10 minutes after roasting, letting those delicious juices redistribute for maximum tenderness and flavor.

Flavor Twists For Pollo Asado Copycat

• Grilled Chipotle Chicken: Swap oven roasting for barbecue grilling, creating smoky char marks and intensifying the marinade's flavors with direct flame contact.
• Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken: Transform the recipe by using a crockpot, cooking chicken on low heat for 6-8 hours for ultra-tender, melt-in-your-mouth results.
• Spicy Citrus Chicken Tacos: Shred the roasted chicken and serve in warm tortillas with fresh salsa, pickled onions, and creamy avocado for a street-style meal.
• Low-Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Use large butter lettuce leaves as a carb-free alternative, filling them with sliced chicken and adding a zesty cilantro-lime crema.

Best Sides With Pollo Asado Copycat

• Pair Perfectly with Citrus Slaw: Crisp, tangy cabbage slaw with orange and lime zest complements the smoky, bright marinade of the chicken, adding refreshing crunch and enhancing the dish's zesty flavor profile.
• Elevate with Mexican Rice Pilaf: Fluffy, spice-infused rice with toasted cumin and diced tomatoes creates a harmonious base that absorbs the chicken's rich marinade and provides a comforting, balanced accompaniment.
• Match with Sparkling Margarita: Tequila-based cocktail with fresh lime juice and a salted rim mirrors the chicken's citrusy, spicy notes, cutting through the richness and cleansing the palate between bites.

How To Store Pollo Asado Copycat Dish

• Transfer leftover chicken to an airtight container, ensuring it's completely cooled before sealing. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining its delicious flavor and texture.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Remove excess air and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Gently warm chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Alternatively, use a microwave with 30-second intervals, checking to maintain moisture.
• Slice chicken before storing to make future meals easier.

Pollo Asado Copycat Recipe FAQs

• Why use both orange and lime juice in the marinade?

The citrus juices help tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, adding bright, zesty flavors that enhance the meat’s natural taste and create a more complex marinade profile.

• What makes chipotle peppers special in this recipe?

Chipotle peppers provide a distinctive smoky heat that gives the chicken a deep, rich flavor reminiscent of traditional Mexican grilling techniques, adding complexity to the overall dish.

• How does marinating improve the chicken's texture?

Marinating helps break down muscle fibers, making the chicken more tender and allowing the spices and citrus to penetrate deeply, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy final dish.

Pollo Asado (Chipotle Copycat Recipe)

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes – 6 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sizzling Mexican-inspired pollo asado delivers bold, smoky flavors straight from Chipotle’s legendary kitchen. Marinated chicken packed with zesty spices promises a mouthwatering culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 lbs chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 0.5 lb chicken breast

Marinade Ingredients:

• 0.25 cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Dry Seasonings:

• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, chopped chipotle peppers, and olive oil in a blender to create a vibrant marinade with deep, smoky undertones.
2. Add cumin, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and chili powder to the liquid mixture, blending until ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and smooth.
3. Place chicken thighs and chicken breast in a large resealable plastic bag, then pour marinade over the meat, ensuring every piece is completely coated.
4. Seal the bag, removing excess air, and refrigerate for 4-6 hours, allowing the marinade to penetrate and tenderize the chicken.
5. Preheat the oven to 425°F, removing chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature.
6. Transfer marinated chicken to a rimmed baking sheet, arranging pieces skin-side up with adequate spacing to promote even roasting.
7. Roast chicken for 35-40 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin appears crispy and golden brown.
8. Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 10 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and ensure maximum tenderness.
9. Slice chicken against the grain and serve hot, garnishing with fresh cilantro or lime wedges if desired.

Notes

• Customize the marinade’s heat level by adjusting the number of chipotle peppers, making it milder or spicier to suit personal taste preferences.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces for extra flavor and juiciness, as the skin helps retain moisture during roasting.
• Swap chicken thighs and breasts with drumsticks or wings for variety, maintaining similar cooking times and temperatures.
• Create a gluten-free version by ensuring all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly checking spice blends and oil.

• Prep Time: 4-6 hours
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg