Description
Fiery Mexican chicken dish Pollo Loco combines zesty spices with tender grilled meat, creating a mouthwatering culinary experience. Flavor-packed ingredients and simple preparation make this recipe a delightful choice for weekend dinners you can savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tbsps orange juice
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Marinade Creation: Blend citrus juices, aromatic spices, and robust herbs in a large mixing bowl, creating a vibrant flavor base for the chicken.
- Marinating Process: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the prepared marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow deep flavor infusion.
- Grill Preparation: Preheat outdoor grill to medium-high heat, lightly oil grates to prevent sticking and promote optimal cooking conditions.
- Grilling Technique: Transfer marinated chicken to hot grill, cooking each side until achieving a golden-brown exterior and reaching safe internal temperature, approximately 12-14 minutes total.
- Resting and Sauce Development: Let grilled chicken rest while simultaneously crafting a luxurious cheese sauce by creating a smooth roux with butter and flour, gradually whisking in milk to develop a silky base.
- Sauce Refinement: Reduce heat, incorporate shredded cheese and complementary spices, stirring until achieving a velvety, rich cheese sauce consistency.
- Plating and Presentation: Arrange grilled chicken over fluffy rice, generously drizzle with creamy cheese sauce, and garnish with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and optional accompaniments like warm tortillas or grilled vegetables.
Notes
- Maximize Marinade Impact: Let chicken soak for at least 2-3 hours or overnight for deeper flavor penetration and enhanced tenderness.
- Perfect Grilling Technique: Use meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, preventing undercooking while maintaining juiciness.
- Cheese Sauce Smoothness: Whisk continuously and add milk gradually to prevent lumps, using low heat for silky-smooth consistency.
- Diet Flexibility: Swap dairy cheese for plant-based alternatives, use gluten-free flour, or replace rice with cauliflower rice for dietary adaptations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg