Best 5 Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken Recipes

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**Unveiling the Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken: A Culinary Symphony of Flavors**

Prepare to embark on a tantalizing culinary journey with the Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken, a dish that captivates the senses with its vibrant flavors and alluring aromas. This delectable dish takes you on a trip to the vibrant streets of Mexico, where citrusy and spicy notes dance harmoniously in a symphony of flavors. Savor the tender, juicy chicken infused with a zesty blend of citrus juices, aromatic herbs, and a hint of chili heat. As you delve into this culinary masterpiece, experience the burst of freshness from the citrus marinade, perfectly complemented by the smoky char from the grill.

In this article, we present a collection of carefully curated recipes that guide you through the art of crafting this exceptional dish. Discover the secrets behind the perfect citrus marinade, infused with the vibrant flavors of orange, lime, and lemon, along with an array of herbs and spices that work their magic. Learn the techniques for grilling the chicken to achieve that irresistible smoky char, ensuring a tender and succulent texture.

Whether you prefer the classic grilled method or seek a healthier alternative, we have recipes that cater to your culinary preferences. Dive into the tantalizing Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken Grilled Recipe, where the chicken basks in the smoky embrace of the grill. For those seeking a healthier option, the Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken Baked Recipe offers a delightful twist, delivering the same incredible flavors without the added fats.

Craving a dish that's bursting with citrusy freshness? Explore the Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken with Citrus Salsa Recipe, where a vibrant salsa, brimming with citrus zest, elevates the chicken to new heights of flavor. And for those who love the convenience of a slow cooker, the Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe is your perfect match, allowing you to savor the succulent chicken with minimal effort.

With these recipes at your fingertips, you hold the key to unlocking a world of citrusy delight. Prepare to delight your taste buds with the Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken, a dish that captures the essence of Mexican flavors and leaves you craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EL POLLO LOCO CHICKEN (COPYCAT)



El Pollo Loco Chicken (Copycat) image

El Pollo Loco Chicken marinated in citrus and pineapple juice overnight for the PERFECT El Pollo Loco copycat recipe!

Provided by Sabrina Snyder

Categories     Main Course

Time 8h30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 jalapeno (seeded and minced very finely)
1 cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon canola oil
8 chicken thighs (bone in and skin on)

Steps:

  • Mix up all the ingredients except for the chicken into a large bowl.
  • Whisk well then reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade in a small tupperware.
  • Add the chicken to the bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
  • Marinade overnight.
  • Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
  • In a cast iron grill pan add the chicken skin side up.
  • Cook in the oven for 25 minutes.
  • Using potholders, add the pan to the stovetop on medium high heat.
  • Spray some foil with canola oil spray and put sprayed side down over the top of the chicken.
  • Press onto the meat with either a bacon press, a foil wrapped brick or a second heavy pan (I used my normal cast iron skillet on top of the chicken.
  • Spoon half the reserved marinade over the chicken while it cooks.
  • Cook for another 3 minutes then remove the bacon press/brick, flip chicken (add some more marinade) and cook a final three minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 g, Calories 281 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 18 g, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 110 mg, Sodium 233 mg, Sugar 3 g

EL POLLO LOCO CHICKEN RECIPE (COPYCAT)



El Pollo Loco Chicken Recipe (Copycat) image

Marinated overnight in pineapple juice and citrus this El Pollo Loco Chicken Recipe will be enjoyed by everyone. El Pollo Loco Copycat is really easy to make and has got all the classical flavors needed. Have you experienced El Pollo Loco in your area? I believe it might be a mostly West Coast chain of Mexican fast food. I recall my mom picking it up when I was little and enjoying the juicy chicken stuffed in a tortilla. It absolutely was so simple but always so delicious. Eventually she developed a recipe that is an excellent El Pollo Loco Chicken recipe Copycat. This really is just excellent chicken. I really enjoy simple recipes that don't take much preparation and this really is one amongst them. This El pollo loco chicken is excellent because the marinade takes five minutes to make and you are able to just throw the chicken in and just forget about it. Be sure to also check the video for this amazing El Pollo Loco Chicken Recipe at the bottom of the article. El Pollo Loco Chicken is not easy to explain if you haven't tried it. There is a certain citrus flavor, but there's also an absolute chicken quality to it. I used to observe them make El Pollo Loco chicken on my break while looking forward to be done. And what I saw is they put a steel press on top of it. You don't need to do this, but it is the better way to acquire a delicious crispy skin on the chicken. Does El Pollo Loco refer to the crazy chicken? El Pollo Loco (Spanish for "The Crazy Chicken") is the name of two independent restaurant chains that specialize in Mexican-style grilled chicken. Both were founded by Juan Francisco Ochoa. He established the first El Pollo Loco restaurant in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico in 1974. What to serve with El Pollo Loco Chicken? Yes, this El pollo loco chicken is great on it's own. However, the best way to serve it is to add some macaroni and cheese on the side and some warm delicious tortillas. Important Notes For El Pollo Loco Chicken Recipe It is true that El Pollo Loco uses coloring. Yes, El Pollo Loco uses food coloring. They get it done to help make the chicken look better. This has no effect to the flavor so I left it out but noted it to this recipe. Chicken is marinated a long period of time. That's why it's so rich in flavor without adding any sauce! You are able to cook it using your stovetop too, if you do not wish to bake, but careful that you don't burn the chicken skin too much. The flavor of the crispy chicken skin is crucial to el pollo loco recipe. Ingredients 1 Tbsp of white vinegar 2 cloves of minced garlic 1/2 tsp of salt 1/2 tsp of dried oregano 1/4 tsp of ground pepper 1/4 of jalapeno seeded, minced 1 cup of pineapple juice 2 Tbsp of lime juice 1 Tbsp of canola oil 8 chicken thighs, bone in How to make El Pollo Loco Chicken Recipe (Copycat) Combine all the ingredients with the exception of the chicken using a large bowl. Whisk the ingredients nicely, then save 1/4 of the cup of marinade in a small Tupperware. Place the chicken into the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let marinate overnight. Heat the oven to 425F. Using a cast iron pan for grilling, place the chicken skin side up. Cook for about 25 minutes in the oven. Turn the stovetop on medium heat and add the pan using potholders. Use the canola oil spray to spray foil, and put sprayed side down over the top of the chicken. Now press the chicken eather with a foil wrapped brick, bacon press or using another pan. Pour the rest of the marinade, that you've saved over the chicken while it cookes. Cook for about 2-3 minutes and take away the bacon press, flip the chicken, pour more marinade and cook your final 2-3 minutes before ready to serve. El Pollo Loco Chicken Video Recipe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47wT_xY-7SI If you've like this El Pollo Loco Chicken, you must try these popular copycat recipes below: El Pollo Loco Avocado Salsa Copycat recipe Popeyes chicken sandwich recipe KFC Chicken Littles recipe (Copycat) McDonald's Chicken McGriddles (Copycat) Chick-Fil-A Chicken Minis and Burgerville Fried Asparagus with Garlic Aioli (Copycat)

Provided by Cooking Frog

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 Tbsp of white vinegar
2 cloves of minced garlic
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of dried oregano
1/4 tsp of ground pepper
1/4 of jalapeno seeded
1 cup of pineapple juice
2 Tbsp of lime juice
1 Tbsp of canola oil
8 chicken thighs

Steps:

  • Combine all the ingredients with the exception of the chicken using a large bowl. Whisk the ingredients nicely, then save 1/4 of the cup of marinade in a small Tupperware. Place the chicken into the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let marinate overnight. Heat the oven to 425F. Using a cast iron pan for grilling, place the chicken skin side up. Cook for about 25 minutes in the oven. Turn the stovetop on medium heat and add the pan using potholders. Use the canola oil spray to spray foil, and put sprayed side down over the top of the chicken. Now press the chicken eather with a foil wrapped brick, bacon press or using another pan. Pour the rest of the marinade, that you've saved over the chicken while it cookes. Cook for about 2-3 minutes and take away the bacon press, flip the chicken, pour more marinade and cook your final 2-3 minutes before ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 292

EL POLLO LOCO CHICKEN MARINADE RECIPE - (3.7/5)



El Pollo Loco Chicken Marinade Recipe - (3.7/5) image

Provided by AzWench

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 cloves of garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon mild chili peppers finely minced (the key is to make sure they are VERY finely minced)
6 ounces pineapple juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 pounds of chicken for frying, cut up in the size you plan to serve

Steps:

  • Mix vinegar, garlic, salt, oregano, pepper, chili peppers, pineapple juice, lime juice and vegetable oil together. You can save ΒΌ of a cup on the side to use for basting the chicken later to add even more flavor. Stick your chicken in the marinade; make sure it is completely covered and as airtight as possible. Leave it in the refrigerator overnight and somewhere around halfway turn your chicken, so all sides are equally exposed to the marinade. Then just grill up your chicken and enjoy, maybe with some warm El Pollo Loco tortillas.

CITRUS EL POLLO LOCO CHICKEN



Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken image

*EDIT* after several reviews general opinion says that it's NOT the real deal. Be that as it may I still think that it makes a fine flavored chicken *EDIT*. Reportedly this is the real thing. Please decide for yourself, I can't say as I have never had chicken from this restaurant. While I don't know if it's "The Real Deal" I do know that it's mighty good chicken.

Provided by Annacia

Categories     Chicken

Time 23m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 chicken pieces (with skin on)
canned chicken broth, as needed (for simmering meat)
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup canola oil or 1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)

Steps:

  • Briefly simmer the cut-up chicken in a deep-sided skillet, keeping pieces in single layer without crowding them, until the meat appears milky white and the juices run clear, no longer pink. Allow to cool in the broth, uncovered, while you prepare the basting sauce.
  • Arrange the chicken pieces skin-side up on broiler pan in single layer and baste with enough of mixture to evenly coat skin side. Turn and baste other side. Turn again to skin side up and broil 6" from the heat, brushing with additional sauce every few minutes until skin is really crispy and golden brown, approximately 5 to 8 minutes for large pieces.
  • BASTING MIXTURE.
  • Mix juices, oil, turmeric, garlic salt and pepper. This makes enough to baste nine pieces.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 86.8, Fat 9.1, SaturatedFat 0.7, Sodium 0.5, Carbohydrate 1.9, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 0.4, Protein 0.1

EL POLLO LOCO STYLE CITRUS MARINADE AND GRILLING BASTE



El Pollo Loco Style Citrus Marinade and Grilling Baste image

This is NOT an El Pollo Loco "copycat" recipe. It's a similar, not exact flavor. This is generally enough for six bone-in, skin on chicken thighs. Cooking time is an estimate of grilling time (depending upon protein you're grilling) plus MINIMUM marinating time, so plan ahead if you want to marinate longer or need more grilling time.

Provided by tis I

Categories     Lemon

Time 50m

Yield 1 cup marinade, approx.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
1/8 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/8 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, partially crushed but left whole
2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
2 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (to taste, I use Tabasco.)

Steps:

  • Whisk ingredients together in a medium bowl.
  • Pour over chicken (or other meat) in a resealable plastic bag. Place in a leak-proof dish.
  • Marinate at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 3 hours as the marinade is citrus based.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 561.1, Fat 56, SaturatedFat 7.3, Sodium 694.4, Carbohydrate 17.8, Fiber 3, Sugar 7.3, Protein 2.5

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and tools ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling during the cooking process.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the taste of your dish. Whenever possible, use fresh, seasonal ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Pay Attention to Cooking Times: Overcooked chicken can be dry and tough, so it's important to pay attention to the cooking times in the recipe. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked to the proper internal temperature.
  • Don't Crowd the Pan: When searing the chicken, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly and will result in steamed chicken instead of seared chicken.
  • Use a Dutch Oven: A Dutch oven is a great choice for cooking this dish because it evenly distributes heat and helps to keep the chicken moist.
  • Let the Chicken Rest: After cooking the chicken, let it rest for a few minutes before shredding or slicing. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the chicken, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat.

Conclusion:

Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken is a flavorful and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or simply on its own. The combination of citrus, garlic, and spices gives the chicken a unique and delicious taste that is sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you're a fan of Mexican food or just looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, Citrus El Pollo Loco Chicken is a great option. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and get ready to enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make dish!

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