Monterrey-Style Grilled Chicken (Pollo Asado Norteño)
Chicken marinated in achiote and sour orange, grilled over charcoal in the style of Monterrey.
About this recipe
Monterrey-style grilled chicken is marinated in achiote, sour orange, oregano and garlic, then charcoal-grilled until it has a reddish, juicy crust. This is the chicken of Monterrey's street pollo restaurants, served with flour tortillas, beans and a good salsa verde. Simple, powerful and addictive.
History & Origin
Pollerías are an institution in Monterrey. Every neighbourhood has at least one, with its spit of chickens turning in front of the fire and its aroma of achiote and orange filling the street. Northern grilled chicken owes its deep red colour to achiote, the pre-Hispanic seed that the Maya and later northeastern cooks adopted as a natural colouring and flavouring. Sour orange - or a mix of sweet orange and lime - provides the acidity that tenderises the meat fibres and balances the richness of the fat. The northern oregano, more intense and aromatic than its Mediterranean counterpart, completes the flavour profile. Today northern-style grilled chicken is one of the most replicated Mexican dishes abroad: in Mexican communities across Texas, California and Chicago, it is the flavour that Monterrey migrants miss the most.
Estimated cost
$10.00
Total cost
$2.50
Per serving
* Approximate prices based on US supermarkets
Nutritional information per serving
380
Calories
38g
Protein
8g
Carbohydrates
20g
Fat
1g
Fiber
620mg
Sodium
* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.
Method
- 1
Dissolve the achiote paste in the sour orange juice. Blend with garlic, cumin, pepper and oil until you have a smooth marinade.
- 2
Score the thickest parts of the chicken. Rub the marinade all over the surface, under the skin and into the cuts. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.
- 3
Prepare medium coals. Take the chicken out of the fridge 30 minutes before grilling.
- 4
Broil the chicken breast-side down for 20 minutes. Flip and cook for a further 20–25 minutes until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 74°C.
- 5
Rest for 10 minutes. Serve with flour tortillas, charro beans and charred salsa verde.
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Founder, Recetas Mexas
Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for European kitchens. Based in Madrid since 2018.
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