Learn how to make delicious achiote-marinated chicken for amazing tacos. Discover the secrets of this tasty Mexican marinade. It’s a must-have for your summer grilling.
Chicken thighs are marinated in a bold achiote marinade. Then, they’re grilled until they’re charred outside and juicy inside. Serve the chicken with rice or stuff it into tacos, burritos, and more.
What is Achiote Chicken?
Achiote chicken, “pollo con achiote” in spanish, is a traditional Mexican dish. It features chicken soaked in a vibrant blend of achiote paste, citrus juices, garlic, and spices. This dish has a distinctive red color and a tangy, peppery taste.
The chicken is grilled or roasted to be juicy and succulent. It’s great with rice, in tortillas, or as a taco filling. Achiote chicken thighs are especially popular for their rich flavor and tender bite.
Achiote Paste: The Heart of Achiote Chicken
The achiote paste is the heart of this dish. It gives achiote chicken its signature color and flavor. Achiote paste comes from the annatto tree’s hard red seeds.
It’s a blend of spices like cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and black peppercorns. It also includes garlic, citrus juices, and olive oil. The recipe often calls for marinating the meat in the achiote paste for up to 24 hours.
Ingredients Needed for Achiote Paste Chicken
To make the perfect achiote-marinated chicken, you need a few key ingredients. Start with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They stay juicy and tender when cooked with the flavorful marinade. You’ll also need fresh garlic cloves, high-quality olive oil, and the star of the show: achiote paste.
Achiote paste, also known as recado rojo, is a vibrant red seasoning blend. It gives the chicken its signature color and bold, earthy flavor. You’ll also need citrus juices like orange and lime, plus apple cider vinegar to help tenderize the meat.
The marinade also includes dried oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. This spice blend infuses the chicken with aromatic, savory notes. These notes complement the achiote paste perfectly.
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs | 2 lbs |
Garlic cloves, minced | 4 cloves |
Olive oil | 1/4 cup |
Achiote paste | 2 tbsp |
Orange juice | 1/2 cup |
Lime juice | 2 tbsp |
Apple cider vinegar | 1 tbsp |
Dried oregano | 1 tsp |
Paprika | 1 tsp |
Cumin | 1 tsp |
Salt | 1 tsp |
Black pepper | 1/2 tsp |
With these achiote paste chicken ingredients ready, you’re on your way to a mouthwatering achiote chicken marinade. It’s bursting with bold, authentic Mexican flavor.
How to Make Grilled Achiote Chicken
Making grilled achiote chicken is simpler than you think. Begin by mixing the marinade that gives the chicken its unique achiote flavor. In a blender, mix garlic, olive oil, achiote paste, orange and lime juice, apple cider vinegar, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and thoroughly combined.
Then, put your chicken thighs in a big resealable bag. Pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag and chill for at least 3 hours, or up to 24 hours. This allows the flavors to absorb into the meat.
When it’s time to cook, heat your grill to medium-high. Place the marinated achiote chicken on the grill grates. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, until it’s fully cooked and slightly charred. Flip it only once to cook evenly.
After grilling, take the grilled achiote chicken off the grill. Let it rest for a few minutes. This makes the meat tender and juicy.
Enjoy your grilled achiote chicken with your favorite sides. Try it with Mexican rice, grilled veggies, guacamole, or fresh salsa. The achiote marinade’s bold flavors go great with these Mexican classics. Enjoy your tasty achiote chicken!
Cooking Methods for Achiote Chicken
Achiote chicken, or “pollo con achiote,” is a favorite in Mexico. You can grill, oven-roast, air-fry, or smoke it. Each way makes the chicken tender and full of flavor, great for tacos or burritos.
Oven-Roasted Achiote Chicken
Oven-roasting is easy and hands-off. Heat your oven to 375°F. Place the chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes until it’s 165°F inside. The oven’s heat makes the achiote paste caramelize, giving the chicken a tasty crust.
Air Fryer Achiote Chicken
Using an air fryer is a healthier option. Set the air fryer to 360°F. Place the chicken in a single layer and cook for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway. This method gives a crispy outside and juicy inside.
Smoked Achiote Chicken
Smoking gives a true Yucatan taste. Heat your smoker to 225°F. Smoke the chicken for 1.5-2 hours until it’s 165°F inside. This slow cooking adds a smoky flavor and deep taste.
The marinade is key to great achiote chicken. Let the chicken marinate in the achiote paste and spices for at least 30 minutes. Overnight is even better. With the right marinade and cooking method, you can enjoy achiote chicken any day.
Tips and Tricks for Achiote Paste Chicken
To make sure your achiote chicken is perfect every time, here are some helpful tips and tricks:
- Bring the marinated chicken to room temperature before grilling for even cooking.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check for doneness, aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.
- Discard any leftover marinade since it contains raw chicken, which can harbor harmful bacteria if reused.
For even more achiote chicken tips, try marinating the chicken for longer, up to 24 hours. This extended marinating time will result in more deeply infused flavors from the achiote paste, citrus, and aromatic spices.
Marinating Time | Flavor Intensity |
---|---|
1 hour | Moderate |
3-6 hours | Stronger |
24 hours | Maximum |
By following these achiote chicken tricks, you’ll be well on your way to creating the most flavorful and tender achiote-marinated chicken for your next taco night or Mexican-inspired feast.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
Achiote-marinated chicken is incredibly versatile. It can be enjoyed in many ways. Try it with classic Mexican side dishes like fluffy Mexican rice, grilled bell peppers and onions, creamy Mexican black beans, and fresh guacamole.
For a burst of flavor, top the chicken with chipotle crema or salsa verde. It’s also great in warm tortillas with mango salsa, lettuce, and queso fresco. You can also use it in burritos, enchiladas, and nachos.
For a healthier option, serve the chicken over cauliflower rice or quinoa. This dish is perfect for Taco Tuesday or any Fiesta. Get creative and enjoy achiote chicken in your favorite Mexican dishes.
Achiote Chicken Serving Suggestions:
- Mexican rice
- Grilled bell peppers and onions
- Mexican black beans
- Guacamole
- Chipotle crema
- Salsa verde
- Corn or flour tortillas
- Mango salsa
- Burritos
- Enchiladas
- Loaded nachos
- Cauliflower rice or quinoa
Achiote paste chicken
Achiote paste chicken, also known as “pollo con achiote,” is a traditional Mexican dish. It uses annatto seeds for bold, earthy flavors. This vibrant marinade gives the chicken a peppery kick and a stunning red color.
The marinade is key to perfect achiote paste chicken. It mixes annatto seeds, spices like cumin and oregano, garlic, and citrus juices. This blend ensures every bite is full of flavor. The chicken absorbs these flavors during the marinade process, which can last from an hour to four hours.
Grilling, roasting, or baking your achiote paste chicken yields tender, juicy meat. On the grill, it takes about 5 minutes per side to reach 165°F. In the oven, bake it at 425°F for about 20 minutes.
This dish is versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. It’s great in tacos, burritos, rice dishes, and salads. You can store leftover chicken in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze it for 2-3 months.
If you can’t find pre-made achiote paste, making your own is simple. Mix paprika, white vinegar, dried Mexican oregano, minced garlic, and cumin. This homemade version captures the essence of this beloved Mexican staple.
Achiote Paste Chicken: The Vibrant Heart of Mexican Cuisine
Achiote paste chicken celebrates Mexico’s vibrant flavors and rich culinary heritage. Whether grilled, baked, or air fried, it’s always a savory, tender delight. It’s sure to take your taste buds on a journey to the heart of Mexican gastronomy.
Achiote Paste Chicken Cooking Methods | Cooking Time | Internal Temperature |
---|---|---|
Grilled | 5 minutes per side | 165°F |
Oven-Roasted | 20 minutes at 425°F | 165°F |
Air Fried | 15-20 minutes at 400°F | 165°F |
More Grilled Chicken Dishes
If you loved this achiote chicken recipe, check out these other grilled chicken dishes. They offer a taste of global flavors:
- Grilled Chicken with Peanut Sauce – A Thai dish with a creamy, nutty marinade that gets caramelized on the grill.
- Curry Chicken Skewers – Tender chicken cubes with aromatic Indian spices, grilled to perfection.
- Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken – This dish has a fragrant lemongrass and fish sauce marinade, giving it a Vietnamese taste.
- Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce – Juicy grilled chicken with a vibrant, herby green sauce that’s full of flavor.
- Pickle Brine Chicken – Brined in pickle juice, this chicken is tangy and juicy.
These grilled chicken dishes and Mexican grilled chicken recipes bring a variety of global flavors to your backyard barbecue. Try these dishes and find new ways to enjoy grilled chicken.
Conclusion
Achiote-marinated chicken is perfect for summer grilling. It makes taco night special and impresses everyone with its bold, Mexican flavors. Learning to make this marinade means you’ll have tender, smoky chicken that everyone will love.
Grill, roast, air fry, or smoke the chicken to bring out the achiote’s flavors. This makes your tacos, burritos, and more taste amazing. It’s a great way to enjoy delicious food.
Achiote paste and powder are easy to use in cooking. Try different ways to cook and serve it to find what you like best. As achiote becomes more popular, you can make your Mexican dishes even better.
Get ready to grill or bake and make your taco night unforgettable. Enjoy the rich, complex flavors of the achiote marinade. Your family and friends will love the juicy, flavorful chicken you make.