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What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / Egg Free / Grilled Paleo Pollo Asado Recipe

Grilled Paleo Pollo Asado Recipe

Last Updated on September 30, 2021 by Jean Choi 3 Comments

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Grab a copy of my cookbook, Korean Paleo: 80 Bold-Flavored, Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes!

This Whole30 and paleo pollo asado is a delicious and authentic Mexican grilled chicken recipe with the most flavorful marinade. You can also bake in the oven if you don’t have a grill!

paleo pollo asado grilled

If you are looking for a delicious and authentic pollo asado recipe, you have come to the right place. This is a dish I’ve loved every time I go to a Mexican chicken restaurant, and the meat is always so juicy and packed with flavor. After testing out various homemade versions several times, I’m so excited that I can easily recreate this Mexican grilled chicken in my own kitchen.

Paleo Pollo Asado Recipe

This paleo and Whole30 pollo asado is actually very easy and it’s one of my favorite paleo Mexican chicken recipes. You’ll get the best and the most authentic flavor by cooking them on the grill, with char marks and all.

However, if you don’t have a grill, you can bake them in the oven as well. They’ll still turn out fantastic!

Marinating paleo pollo asado in a resealable bag

Ingredients in Paleo & Whole30 Pollo Asado Marinade Recipe

When it comes to creating an authentic pollo asado recipe, it’s ALL about the marinade. It’s what creates that delicious, citrusy flavor and also makes the meat so juicy. Here are the ingredients to making a delicious paleo pollo asado marinade recipe that’s gluten free:

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Avocado oil or olive oil
  • Cumin
  • Sea salt
  • Oregano
  • Ground black pepper

You’ll find many variations of the marinade for this popular Mexican grilled chicken recipe, but this combination is my favorite after experimenting a few times.

All you have to do for the gluten free pollo asado marinade recipe is to blend all the ingredients together until smooth. You then marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours (preferably for the full 8 hours) before grilling or baking! So simple and easy.

Whole30 pollo asado

Substitutions and Tips for This Recipe

  • You can use your favorite cut of chicken for this paleo and Whole30 pollo asado recipe. I just love skin-on whole chicken legs because it’s the juiciest and the most flavorful cut, in my opinion. However, feel free to use chicken breasts, thighs, or just drumsticks!
  • Since this is a bone-in chicken recipe, no need to pound chicken to even thickness. The dark meat will turn out juicy and flavorful even if it’s a little overcooked! If you do end up using chicken breast, you can choose to pound it.
  • The citrus in the marinade is what gives this delicious paleo Mexican chicken its distinct flavor. If you have other citrus fruits on hand, you can use different combinations with the same amount without affecting the flavors too much.
  • I highly recommend marinating the chicken for the full 8 hours to get all the marinade ingredients infused into the meat. However, I’ve done it for just 2 hours when I was short on time and it was still delicious.
  • Do not marinate for longer than 8 hours. The acidity of the citrus can toughen up the chicken meat if it’s sitting in the marinade for longer than that.
  • For the most tender and perfectly cooked chicken, I highly recommend a probe thermometer because every grill and oven is different. I have this one, and I always use it when cooking meat.
  • If you don’t have a grill, using the oven will work just fine and the instructions are included in the recipe box.

How to make Pollo Asado Step By Step

  1. Place the chicken in a large resealable bag, then combine the rest of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth to make a marinade.
  2. Add the marinade over the chicken and seal to close. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 8 hours, turning the bag once.
  3. When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and set the marinade aside.
  4. TO GRILL: Preheat the grill, then cook skin side down first. Flip the chicken and grill while basting until cooked through.
  5. TO ROAST IN THE OVEN: Preheat the oven, then bake skin side up. Baste with the marinade halfway through.

The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest part!

mexican grilled chicken on a plate

What to Serve with Pollo Asado

You can serve this dish with many various sides! Some of my favorites that are not necessarily paleo are:

  • grilled corn on the cob
  • corn tortillas or Siete Foods Tortillas
  • beans
  • cheese
  • rice
  • sour cream

To keep this pollo asado Whole30-friendly, you can serve it with:

  • pico de gallo or your favorite salsa
  • guacamole
  • tostones
  • cauliflower Mexican rice
  • lettuce wrap
  • cilantro
Pollo asado marinade recipe111
Authentic pollo asado recipe

Other recipes you might love…

  • Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas (Paleo, Whole30)
  • 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
  • Paleo Chicken Yakitori aka Japanese Chicken Skewers (Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)
  • Lemon Garlic Chicken Drumsticks (Paleo, Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)
  • Paleo Huli Huli Chicken

Paleo Pollo Asado (Whole30, Keto)

This Whole30 and paleo pollo asado is a delicious and authentic Mexican grilled chicken recipe with the most flavorful marinade. You can also bake in the oven if you don't have a grill!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: authentic pollo asado recipe, mexican chicken recipes, mexican grilled chicken, paleo mexican chicken, pollo asado keto, pollo asado marinade recipe, whole30 chicken recipes, whole30 grilled chicken, whole30 pollo asado
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Marinating Time: 8 hours
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 373kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 whole chicken legs or 2-3 lbs of your favorite cut of chicken
  • 1/2 onion roughly chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves smashed and peeled
  • 1/2 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Place the chicken in a large resealable bag.
  • Combine the rest of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth to make a marinade.
  • Pour the marinade over the chicken and seal.
  • Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 8 hours, turning the bag once.
  • When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and set the marinade aside.

Grill Method

  • Preheat grill to 350 degrees F, and grease the grill grates to prevent from sticking.
  • Place the chicken skin-side down over direct heat and cover for 10 minutes, until browned and crispy.
  • Flip the chicken and place over indirect heat. Baste the skin with the marinade.
  • Cover and grill for 25-30 minutes, basting with the marinade 2-3 more times. The chicken is done when the thickest part of the meat reaches 165 degrees F.
  • Rest chicken for 5 minutes before serving.

Oven Method

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place chicken on the baking sheet in a single layer.
  • Bake for about 40 minutes with skin-side up. Baste with the marinade halfway through. The chicken is done when the thickest part of the meat reaches 165 degrees F.
  • Rest chicken for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Paleo Pollo Asado (Whole30, Keto)
Amount Per Serving (1 whole chicken leg)
Calories 373 Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Fat 28g43%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 120mg40%
Sodium 1275mg55%
Potassium 394mg11%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 22g44%
Vitamin A 193IU4%
Vitamin C 22mg27%
Calcium 42mg4%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


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By Jean Choi | April 30, 2020

Comments

  1. ChihYu says

    May 12, 2020 at 9:24 pm

    5 stars
    Every bite of this chicken is so delicious! The spices, tender meat and that yummy char grilled flavor!

    Reply
  2. StaceyCrawford says

    May 15, 2020 at 2:38 pm

    5 stars
    I love all the yummy citrus and garlic flavors in this grilled chicken. So good!

    Reply
  3. Selina says

    January 24, 2022 at 5:43 pm

    5 stars
    I did the oven version with chicken thighs tonight. Subbed lemon juice for orange juice. DELICIOUS and so easy! Don’t sleep on this gem.

    Reply

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Welcome!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate I’m Jean and I’m a Nutritional Therapist (NTP) living in Southern California with my husband and 2 dog babies. On WGGA, you’ll find simple and easy gluten-, dairy-, and processed sugar-free recipes that focus on quality nutrients, and of course, never sacrifice on taste. I believe that the food you love should love you back, making you feel amazing inside and out. I apologize in advance for my inappropriate jokes and misunderstood sarcasm! More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
  • VVegan
  • W3Whole 30

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