Who do not love a delicious juicy and flavourful whole chicken ? This oven baked pollo loco chicken recipe is made for you !
The pollo loco chicken recipe is easy to prepare in only 3 steps, with only a few ingredients, pineapple juice, lemon juice, orange juice and some spices.
Not a reader ? Watch the simple steps for the perfect pollo loco chicken recipe !
Why you’ll love this oven baked chicken recipe ?
Personally I love the pollo loco chicken recipe for its unique taste, the chicken absorbs all the juices and becomes so tender and juicy. I find it absolutely delicious !
Also, the recipe is quick and easy to prepare and do not require that much ingredients, it is perfect for a quick dinner and it is full of proteins.
A bit about the pollo loco chicken recipe
El pollo loco means ”the crazy chicken” in spanish.
This delicious pollo loco chicken recipe was created in Guasave, Sinaola, Mexico, in 1975, by Pancho Ochoa who got inspired by a signature family citrus marinade and fire-grilled chicken. In 1980 the recipe spreaded in the United-states with first restaurant ”el pollo loco” in Los Angeles.
Ingredients
Here is all you need for the pollo loco chicken recipe :
- A whole chicken
- Pineapple juice
- Orange juice (you can use fresh oranges)
- Lemon juice (You can use fresh lemons)
- 2 tbsp Onion powder
- 1 tbsp Garlic powder
- 2 tbsp Curcuma
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- 2 tbsp Salt
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Oregano
How to prepare the pollo loco chicken recipe
Prepare the marinade
In a bowl mix 2 tablespoon onion powder, 2 tablespoon curcuma, 1 tablespoon paprika, 2 tablespoon salt, pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Marinate the chicken
Clean your chicken or ask the butcher to do it for you so it is easier. Then put your chicken with the marinade in a hermetic plastic bag and let it marinate for at least 2 hours.
TIP : Let it marinate in the fridge the whole night.
Cook the pollo loco chicken
You can cook your Pollo Loco chicken in the oven for 1 hour at 180°C, or on the grill.
TIP: I recommend you to keep a bit of the juicy marinade aside and baste the chicken midway through cooking to prevent it from drying out.
What to eat with a pollo loco chicken ?
I love enjoying the pollo loco chicken recipe with a bit of rice and roasted baby potatoes. You can opt for Mexican inspired sides like beans, corns, tortillas or American inspired sides such as coleslaw or macaroni and cheese.
FAQ : Pollo loco chicken recipe
What is El Pollo Loco chicken marinated in?
El pollo loco chicken is marinated in pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice and a mix of spices with paprika, oregano, curcuma, onion powder, garlic powder and salt.
What style of chicken is El Pollo Loco?
El pollo loco chicken recipe consists of a marinated chicken traditionally cooked over an open flame.
What is pollo chicken made of?
The pollo loco chicken is simply made of a whole chicken and a marinade.
Pollo loco chicken recipe
Ingredients
- A whole chicken
- Pineapple juice
- Orange juice you can use fresh oranges
- Lemon juice You can use fresh lemons
- 2 tbsp Onion powder
- 1 tbsp Garlic powder
- 2 tbsp Curcuma
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- 2 tbsp Salt
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the marinade
- In a bowl mix 2 tablespoon onion powder, 2 tablespoon curcuma, 1 tablespoon paprika, 2 tablespoon salt, pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Marinate the chicken
- Clean your chicken or ask the butcher to do it for you so it is easier. Then put your chicken with the marinade in a hermetic plastic bag and let it marinate for at least 2 hours.
- TIP : Let it marinate in the fridge the whole night.
Cook the pollo loco chicken
- You can cook your Pollo Loco chicken in the oven for 1 hour at 180°C, or on the grill.
- TIP: I recommend you to keep a bit of the juicy marinade aside and baste the chicken midway through cooking to prevent it from drying out.