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Tacos de pollo asado

From WikiTacos, the taco encyclopedia · Taco type
Also known as: Pollo asado al carbón, Pollo asado sinaloense, Pollo asado estilo Sinaloa

Tacos de pollo asado are tacos of chicken marinated in citrus and spices and grilled over charcoal, a style most closely associated with the state of Sinaloa. Whole or split chickens are sold by pollerías with tortillas, salsa, beans and grilled onions so customers can make their own tacos.

Contents
  1. Sinaloa
  2. Spread
  3. Serving as tacos
  4. Recipe
  5. Where to try it
  6. Reviews
  7. See also
  8. References

Sinaloa

Grilled chicken has a long tradition in northern Sinaloa. Luz Noticias, a regional outlet, reports that many locals consider Guamúchil the town where the fame of Sinaloan pollo asado began, while Los Mochis is equally proud of its pollerías, and the rivalry between the two remains unsettled. Guamúchil's shops are known for distinctive marinades and slow charcoal cooking that gives the meat a smoky taste; Los Mochis pollerías favor family recipes that blend adobos and spices. In Guamúchil the chicken is served with flour tortillas, salsa, onion, roasted chiles and beans.

Spread

Sinaloa-style charcoal chicken became the basis of large restaurant chains in both countries. Luz Noticias recounts that Arnoldo de la Rocha opened a small roast-chicken stand in Guasave, Sinaloa, in 1974, moved to León, Guanajuato, a few years later, and registered the Pollo Feliz brand in 1980; the outlet reports that the chain now has more than 1,000 branches in Mexico and the United States while keeping its charcoal-grilled recipe. Los Angeles magazine credits Juan Francisco Ochoa with bringing Sinaloa-style grilled chicken to the United States through El Pollo Loco in 1980.

Independent pollerías continue the tradition in Southern California. Los Angeles magazine describes Pollos Asados al Carbon El Güero in the Florence area, which grills chicken marinated in citrus and spices over charcoal until heavily charred and sells it with beans, rice, salsa and tortillas. The restaurant also runs a weekend truck, and the magazine recommends eating the chicken fresh off the grill rather than as takeout.

Serving as tacos

Pollo asado is usually bought as a whole or half bird rather than as individual tacos. Diners tear the chicken into pieces at the table and wrap it in warm tortillas with salsa and the side dishes, effectively assembling their own tacos. Grilled chicken also appears as a taco filling at charcoal-grill taquerías, where pechuga is offered beside beef and pork cuts.

Recipe

Makes About 16 tacos · Time: Marinate 4 hours or overnight; 45 minutes cooking

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken (about 1.8 kg), butterflied, or 1.5 kg bone-in thighs and legs
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 tbsp achiote paste or 2 guajillo chiles, soaked
  • 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 white onions, cut into thick rounds
  • 16 corn or flour tortillas
  • Salsa, refried beans, and roasted chiles to serve

Steps

  1. Blend the citrus juices, vinegar, garlic, achiote or chiles, oregano, cumin, pepper and salt until smooth.
  2. Coat the chicken thoroughly with the marinade and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  3. Prepare a charcoal grill with a hot zone and a cooler zone.
  4. Grill the chicken skin side down over the cooler zone, covered, turning occasionally, for 35 to 45 minutes, until the thickest part reaches 74 C (165 F). Move it over the hot coals for the last few minutes to char the skin.
  5. Grill the onion rounds until soft and blackened in spots.
  6. Rest the chicken 5 minutes, then pull or chop it into pieces.
  7. Serve with warm tortillas, grilled onion, salsa, beans and roasted chiles for diners to build their own tacos.

Where to try it

Reviews

Reviews and tips open at launch. Readers will be able to share where they found the best version of this and how they make it at home.

See also

References

  1. "¿Guamúchil o Los Mochis? En dónde se comen los mejores pollos asados de Sinaloa". Luz Noticias. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  2. "Pollo Feliz: así inició la historia de una de las marcas que conquistó México". Luz Noticias. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  3. "Essential T: Grilled Chicken Tacos from Pollos Asados Al Carbon El Güero". Los Angeles magazine. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  4. "¿Dónde comer tacos al carbón en la CDMX?". El Financiero. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
Categories: Chicken tacos Grilled meat tacos Sinaloa cuisine Taco types