El Pollo Loco Style Citrus Marinade and Grilling Baste

Infuse your grilled chicken with bold, zesty flavor using this El Pollo Loco Style Citrus Marinade and Grilling Baste! Bursting with freshly squeezed orange, lemon, and lime juices, this marinade creates a tangy, citrus-forward base that's perfectly balanced by garlic, earthy oregano, and smoky spices like paprika and chili powder. The addition of olive oil and white vinegar ensures tender, juicy chicken with every bite. After marinating the chicken for maximum flavor, it's grilled to golden perfection, with optional basting and grilled lemon slices for an extra layer of brightness. Ideal for backyard barbecues or weeknight dinners, this versatile recipe pairs beautifully with sides like rice, beans, or fresh salad. Your guests won't be able to resist this irresistible combination of citrus, spice, and smoky grilled goodness! Perfect for fans of Mexican-inspired flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup Orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 0.5 cup Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 0.25 cup Lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 0.25 cup Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons White vinegar
• 4 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 pounds Chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breast)
• 4 slices Lemon slices (optional, for grilling baste)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized bowl, combine orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, olive oil, and white vinegar. Whisk together until well mixed.

Step 2

Add minced garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Stir to combine.

Step 3

Add the chopped cilantro to the marinade and mix well.

Step 4

Place the chicken pieces in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that all pieces are fully coated.

Step 5

Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.

Step 6

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Reserve the marinade for basting while grilling.

Step 8

Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. Use a basting brush to apply the reserved marinade to the chicken during the first half of cooking.

Step 9

If desired, place lemon slices on the grill alongside the chicken to enhance citrus flavors.

Step 10

Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 11

Serve the chicken hot with your favorite sides, such as rice, beans, or a fresh salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1949.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2966.0

Total Fat 107.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 1156.7mg	0%
Sodium 3407.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 53.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.6g	0%
Total Sugars 26.2g
Protein 426.3g	0%

Vitamin D 68.0IU	0%
Calcium 269.8mg	0%
Iron 17.0mg	0%
Potassium 4410.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.4%

Protein: 59.1%

Carbs: 7.5%