Description
Spicy Mexican Pollo Loco brings fiery passion to classic chicken recipes with bold flavors that dance across your palate. Rich marinade and zesty seasonings promise a culinary journey through authentic Mexican street food traditions you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken thighs or breasts (boneless and skinless)
Marinade Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Rice Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by blending zesty orange juice, tangy lime juice, fragrant olive oil, pungent garlic, earthy cumin, smoky paprika, fiery chili powder, aromatic oregano, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Submerge chicken pieces completely in the marinade, ensuring thorough coating. Seal and refrigerate for 1-8 hours to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature (around 400°F), creating ideal searing conditions.
- Extract chicken from marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Position on hot grill, cooking 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F with golden-brown exterior.
- Allow grilled chicken to rest 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and preserve moisture.
- In a saucepan, combine rice with chicken broth. Bring to rapid boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until rice absorbs liquid completely.
- Transform rice into creamy texture by stirring in heavy cream, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook additional 2-3 minutes until luxuriously smooth.
- Arrange creamy rice on plate, crown with sliced grilled chicken. Optional: Sprinkle fresh cilantro for brightness and aroma.
Notes
- Boost the marinade’s flavor by scoring the chicken’s surface, allowing more marinade penetration and creating delicious caramelized edges during grilling.
- Experiment with alternative protein options like tofu, shrimp, or pork for dietary flexibility and diverse meal experiences.
- Reduce calorie content by substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt or low-fat milk, maintaining creamy texture while creating a lighter version of the rice.
- Enhance meal prep efficiency by marinating chicken overnight and preparing rice in advance, saving time and ensuring deeper flavor development.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 311 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 634 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 69 mg