StewsMediumFree

Pibil de Pollo (Yucatecan Achiote Chicken)

Name: Pibil de Pollo (Yucatecan Achiote Chicken)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 150 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 White Onion; 2 Habanero Chilli; 4 leaves Banana Leaf; 6 Sour Orange (Naranja Agria); 80 g Achiote; 1500 g Chicken; 1 tbsp Salt

4.0(1 rating)

150 min (30 prep + 120 cook) Medium 6 servings Yucatán

Edmond Bojalil

Recetas Mexas

Published: 24 Mar 2026 · Updated: 3 Jun 2026

Chicken marinated in achiote and sour orange, wrapped in banana leaf and slow-baked.

About this recipe

Pibil de pollo is the chicken version of the legendary Mayan pibil cooking method: chicken marinated in achiote and sour orange, wrapped in banana leaves and slow-baked.

History & Origin

Pibil de pollo is the poultry adaptation of the ancestral Mayan cooking method known as pib, meaning "buried" in Maya. Whilst cochinita pibil is world-famous, chicken pibil has an equally ancient tradition and is even more popular in everyday Yucatecan cooking. The key flavour comes from the red recado: achiote paste ground with allspice, cumin, oregano and garlic, diluted in sour orange. The chicken is marinated overnight, wrapped in banana leaves and baked covered at low temperature. It is shredded and served with pickled red onion, roasted habanero and tortillas.

Estimated cost

£25.99

Total cost

£4.33

Per serving

* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets

Nutritional information per serving

380

Calories

34g

Protein

18g

Carbohydrates

16g

Fat

Fibre

580mg

Sodium

* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.

Method

1
Disuelve 80 g de pasta de achiote en jugo de 6 naranjas agrias. Añade ajo, comino, pimienta gorda, orégano y sal.
💡 Si no tienes naranja agria, mezcla jugo de naranja con vinagre y limón.
2
Marina 1.5 kg de pollo en el recado al menos 4 horas, idealmente toda la noche.
3
Pasa las hojas de plátano por la llama para hacerlas flexibles. Forra una bandeja de horno.
4
Coloca el pollo marinado sobre las hojas. Cubre con más hojas y papel aluminio. Hornea a 160°C 2 horas.
5
Prepara cebolla encurtida: corta 2 cebollas moradas en aros con jugo de naranja agria, sal y orégano. Reposa 1 hora.
6
Deshebra el pollo. Sirve con la cebolla encurtida, habanero asado y tortillas.

Have you tried this recipe?

Tell us how it turned out. Your feedback helps other cooks.

Leave a review

The Story of Cochinita Pibil: From Ancient Maya to Modern Kitchens

Rate this recipe

Edmond Bojalil

Founder, Recetas Mexas

Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for home kitchens worldwide. Based in Madrid since 2018.