5.0 from 9 votes
Achiote Chicken (Pollo Pibil)
This easy Pollo Pibil (achiote chicken) recipe starts with a sweet and spicy citrus marinade. Then bake or grill the chicken breasts and serve as a flavorful main dish, or use to make tacos and more!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Marinade Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 2 pieces
Calories: 583 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 large orange zested and juiced
- 1 lime juiced
- 3.5 ounce box achiote paste
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Set out a baking dish large enough to hold the chicken pieces. In the baking dish, combine the orange juice and zest, lime juice, achiote paste, garlic, oregano, and salt. Use a fork or spatula to mash the achiote paste and other seasonings into the orange juice, until it forms a thick deep-red marinade.
- Place the chicken pieces in the marinade and turn to coat. Then cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours.
- When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400°F. (Alternately, you can preheat the grill to 400°F.) If baking, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and place the chicken pieces on top. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until cooked through. If grilling, use tongs to move the marinated chicken directly to the hot grill. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Either serve the chicken breasts whole, or shred with two forks to use other recipes like tacos, burritos, and more!
- Either serve the chicken breasts whole, or shred with two forks to use other recipes like tacos, burritos, and more!
- Leftover pollo pibil will keep well for 3 days in the fridge. Cool the chicken completely before transferring to an airtight container and storing.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1pc
Calories
583kcal
(29%)
Carbohydrates
17g
(6%)
Protein
98g
(196%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
290mg
(97%)
Sodium
1982mg
(83%)
Potassium
1933mg
(55%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
529IU
(11%)
Vitamin C
66mg
(73%)
Calcium
113mg
(11%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2pieces
Amount Per Serving
Calories 583
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1pc | |
| Calories | 583kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 98g | 196% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 290mg | 97% |
| Sodium | 1982mg | 83% |
| Potassium | 1933mg | 41% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 529IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 66mg | 73% |
| Calcium | 113mg | 11% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.