Best 5 El Pollo Loco Chicken Marinade Recipes

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El Pollo Loco, meaning "the crazy chicken" in Spanish, is a popular restaurant chain known for its flavorful and unique grilled chicken. The secret behind its delicious taste lies in the zesty marinade used to infuse the chicken with a burst of flavor. Whether you are looking to recreate the iconic El Pollo Loco experience at home or simply seeking a flavorful and healthy chicken dish, this article presents the best recipe for El Pollo Loco chicken marinade. With a perfect blend of herbs, spices, and tangy citrus, this marinade will elevate your chicken to new heights. So, get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this authentic El Pollo Loco chicken marinade recipe that promises a delightful culinary journey.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EL POLLO LOCO CHICKEN MARINADE RECIPE - (3.7/5)



El Pollo Loco Chicken Marinade Recipe - (3.7/5) image

Provided by AzWench

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 cloves of garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon mild chili peppers finely minced (the key is to make sure they are VERY finely minced)
6 ounces pineapple juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 pounds of chicken for frying, cut up in the size you plan to serve

Steps:

  • Mix vinegar, garlic, salt, oregano, pepper, chili peppers, pineapple juice, lime juice and vegetable oil together. You can save ¼ of a cup on the side to use for basting the chicken later to add even more flavor. Stick your chicken in the marinade; make sure it is completely covered and as airtight as possible. Leave it in the refrigerator overnight and somewhere around halfway turn your chicken, so all sides are equally exposed to the marinade. Then just grill up your chicken and enjoy, maybe with some warm El Pollo Loco tortillas.

EL POLLO LOCO CHICKEN (COPYCAT)



El Pollo Loco Chicken (Copycat) image

El Pollo Loco Chicken marinated in citrus and pineapple juice overnight for the PERFECT El Pollo Loco copycat recipe!

Provided by Sabrina Snyder

Categories     Main Course

Time 8h30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 jalapeno (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)

Steps:

  • 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.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 g, Calories 281 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 18 g, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 110 mg, Sodium 233 mg, Sugar 3 g

EL POLLO LOCO CHICKEN (COPYCAT RECIPE)



El Pollo Loco Chicken (Copycat Recipe) image

One thing (there are many) that I miss in California...was the El Pollo Loco Chicken places!! I found this recipe on a copy cat site! I serve this with warm tortillas and salsa!!

Provided by katie in the UP

Categories     Chicken

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

3/4 cup Heinz Chili Sauce
1 lemon, juice of
1 large orange, juice of
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce
4 boneless chicken breasts

Steps:

  • For marinade, mix all ingredients, except chicken, together.
  • Add chicken and marinate for 4-24 hours.
  • Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade.
  • Cook chicken on a hot grill for about 10 minutes on each side.
  • Serve with tortillas and salsa.
  • Time does not include marinating.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390.8, Fat 20.4, SaturatedFat 4.8, Cholesterol 92.8, Sodium 791.6, Carbohydrate 16.7, Fiber 3.2, Sugar 9.8, Protein 32

EL POLLO LOCO CHICKEN



El Pollo Loco Chicken image

El Pollo Loco knock-off recipe. This is it, from Nancy Berry from the Orange County Register newspaper. The company used to sell a dry seasoning packet that you just added the juice too, but I cant find it anymore. This is as close as you will get to the origianal

Provided by LsuGrrl

Categories     Poultry

Time P1DT48m

Yield 1 chicken dinner, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 ounces pineapple juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon mild chili pepper, remove stem and seeds from chiles, finely minced (Anaheim or California)
8 drops yellow food coloring (but accurate) (optional)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 lbs frying chicken, cut up

Steps:

  • Marinate chicken in zip-lock bag over-nite.
  • Reserve 1/4 cup marinade to baste while cooking, making sure the chicken cooks on both sides minutes AFTER basting the final time--we don't want our Italian friend Sal Monilla to show up :-).
  • Grill over indirect heat, turning 4 times, 12 minutes each time.
  • Serve with your favorite tortillas, rice and Borracho beans.

FRIED CHICKEN



Fried Chicken image

Marinating the pieces in buttermilk is the key to moist, flavorful fried chicken.

Provided by Alison Attenborough

Categories     Chicken     Deep-Fry     Picnic     Fry     Dinner     Buttermilk

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 quart buttermilk
3 1/2 pound chicken parts (bone-in, skin-on; if using breasts, halve)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
Peanut oil, for frying
Special Equipment
Deep-fry thermometer

Steps:

  • Place buttermilk in a large, shallow nonreactive dish and add chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Combine flour, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large plastic bag.
  • Remove chicken pieces from buttermilk and add to bag with flour mixture. Shake to coat; dust off excess.
  • Pour 3/4" peanut oil into a heavy skillet. Heat oil over medium-high heat until it registers 350° on a deep-fry thermometer. Reduce heat to medium and add the chicken pieces, a few at a time. Fry each piece for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until it is crispy and golden and internal temperature registers 165° on an instant-read thermometer. Drain on paper towels; serve.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality chicken: This will ensure that your marinade is flavorful and effective.
  • Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 24 hours: This will give the marinade time to penetrate the chicken and infuse it with flavor.
  • Use a variety of herbs and spices in your marinade: This will create a complex and flavorful dish.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different marinade recipes: There are endless possibilities, so find one that you enjoy.
  • When cooking the chicken, make sure to grill or roast it over medium heat: This will help to prevent the chicken from drying out.

Conclusion:

El Pollo Loco chicken marinade is a delicious and easy way to add flavor to your chicken. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a marinade that will make your chicken taste amazing. So next time you're looking for a tasty and healthy way to cook chicken, give El Pollo Loco chicken marinade a try. You won't be disappointed!

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