4.1 from 57 votes
El Pollo Loco Chicken (Copycat)
El Pollo Loco Chicken is marinated chicken thighs imbued with a citrusy, garlic, and mildly spicy sauce made from pineapple juice, lime juice, jalapeño, and spices. The chicken is oven-cooked skin side up to develop a golden crust, then pressed on the stovetop to finish with a crispy skin and infused flavor. The method replicates the signature tangy, savory chicken with a balance of sweet, sour, and mild heat.
Prep Time
8 hrs
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
8 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
8
Servings
Calories:
281 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1/4 jalapeño , 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
Instructions
- 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.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Adding yellow food coloring is optional and mainly for traditional color; it does not affect flavor.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1g
Calories
281kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
4g
(1%)
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
110mg
(37%)
Sodium
233mg
(10%)
Potassium
270mg
(6%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
90IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
4.9mg
(5%)
Calcium
16mg
(2%)
Iron
0.9mg
(5%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 281
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 281kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 110mg | 37% |
| Sodium | 233mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 270mg | 6% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 90IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 4.9mg | 5% |
| Calcium | 16mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.9mg | 5% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.