Achiote Chicken (Pollo Pibil)

Achiote chickenalso known as pollo pibil, is a rich and colorful Mexican recipe made with a unique flavor blend of achiote paste or powder, citrus fruits and spices.

This achiote chicken recipe is as easy to prepare in the oven or grill as pollo asado, and pairs well with a side of Mexican rice, Mexican potatoes, or even frijoles charra.

What is Pollo Pibil

Achiote chicken, also known as pollo pibil, is a traditional Mexican dish that originated in the Yucatan Peninsula. It gets its name from the achiote paste used to marinate the chicken, giving it its vibrant color and unique flavor.

There are many variations of this recipe, including the very popular cochinita pibil (Yucatan-style grilled pork). The traditional method, which we skipped at home for simplicity, is to wrap the meat in banana leaves and roast it in a pit.

achiote

Achiote has a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Mayans and Aztecs who used the annatto seeds for body paint, medicine and culinary purposes. Today, achiote is a staple ingredient in Latin American, Caribbean, and Filipino cuisine, adding a touch of color and flavor to various dishes.

The achiote marinade is made with ground annatto seeds, spices, and citrus juice and is available at many Latin American grocery stores (or Amazon). For those wondering, despite the deep red color, achiote chicken is not a spicy dish.

For this recipe, you can use achiote paste or achiote powder (we use Goya brand). Depending on what we have on hand at the moment, we switch it. Both offer the rich and earthy flavors you’re looking for.

ingredients you need

Here are some key ingredients needed to make Pollo Pibil, along with suggested substitutions. For the full list of ingredients, see the recipe card below:

Chicken

Any cut of chicken goes well with this chicken recipe. Go for what you like. Aside from the cooking time, no changes to the recipe are required.

Sour Orange Juice

Sour orange juice comes from the Seville orange, a variety meant for using juice rather than eating like a fruit. You can find the bottled juice in Latin American markets or online. Or substitute equal parts 1 tablespoon lime juice for orange juice to add the “sour” profile.

achiote

As mentioned above, you can use achiote paste or achiote powder. See the recipe card below for instructions on both. Both contain cumin and coriander, which you need for this dish.

How to do

This dish only requires two steps. You only see 10 minutes hands on time.

Marinate Chicken – Mix all the ingredients for the achiote sauce, brush and marinate the chicken.

Bake the Chicken – Bake in a large casserole dish for 45 minutes or until the center reads 165°F – 170°F.

achiote sauce

A few tips for preparing the spicy achiote sauce.

• Don’t wear your nice clothes. The fiery red color will discolor them!
• Be sure to marinate the chicken for a minimum of 4 hours, up to 24 hours. It is imperative that the chicken marinade has a chance to soak into the meat.
• Prepare the sauce up to 4 days in advance if you enjoy preparing meals. Or freeze until ready to use.

Used

There are a variety of ways you can make achiote chicken stand out. Serving with a side isn’t the only way to enjoy this classic Mexican dish. With Boneless Chicken you can easily prepare:

Achiote Chicken Tacos – Serve with corn tortillas, pickled red onions, cilantro and lime.

Salad – Top the salad with your favorite salad toppings.

rice bowl – Toss on top of the rice with the toppings from your favorite bowl.

burritos – Tuck in a flour tortilla with rice, lettuce, and your favorite burrito toppings.

Mulitas

variations

Spicy Chicken – Throw in some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you prefer a little spiciness with your meals.

Grilled Achiote Chicken – throw on the grill over medium heat. Place skin side down and grill for 30-35 minutes, turning every 8-10 minutes, until the internal temperature is above 165°F (preferably 175°F).

expert tips

• If you use regular orange and lime juice, use freshly squeezed. It is superior to bottled juice.
• If using achiote powder, make sure you marinate it for at least 4 hours. If you use achiote paste you can get away with 2-3 as it sticks to the meat better.
• If grilling, reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade before pouring it over the chicken to use as a gravy.

Side dish ideas

Serve achiote chicken with Mexican pickled carrots, rice, beans, potatoes, or a simple side salad.

storage

Store chicken achiote in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

drink pairings

Here are some Mexican drinks that would go really well with this dish:

Mexican mule
Cantaritos
Corona sunrise
Michelada
Mexican candy shot