Have you experienced El Pollo Loco in your area? I believe it might be a mostly West Coast chain of Mexican fast food. I recall my mom picking it up when I was little and enjoying the juicy chicken stuffed in a tortilla. It was absolutely so simple but always so delicious. Eventually, she developed an outstanding recipe. This really is just excellent chicken.

I really enjoy simple recipes that don’t take much preparation, and this really is one of them. This El Pollo loco chicken is excellent because the marinade takes five minutes to make, and you are able to just throw the chicken in and just forget about it. 

El Pollo Loco Chicken is not easy to explain if you haven’t tried it. There is a specific citrus flavor, but there’s also an absolute chicken quality to it. I used to observe them make El Pollo Loco chicken on my break while looking forward to being done.

And what I saw is they put a steel press on top of it. You don’t need to do this, but it is the better way to acquire a delicious crispy skin on the chicken.

Does El Pollo Loco refer to the crazy chicken?

El Pollo Loco (Spanish for “The Crazy Chicken”) is the name of two independent restaurant chains that specialize in Mexican-style grilled chicken. Both were founded by Juan Francisco Ochoa. He established the first El Pollo Loco restaurant in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1974.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp white vinegar

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

• ¼ jalapeño, seeded and minced

• 1 cup pineapple juice

• 2 Tbsp lime juice

• 1 Tbsp canola oil

• 8 bone-in chicken thighs, skin on

Instructions

1. Make the Marinade

1. In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, garlic, salt, oregano, pepper, jalapeño, pineapple juice, lime juice, and canola oil.

2. Reserve ¼ cup of the marinade in a small container for basting later.

2. Marinate the Chicken

• Add chicken thighs to the bowl, turning to coat well.

• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, ideally overnight.

3. Oven Roast & Crisp

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Arrange chicken skin-side up in a cast iron skillet or oven-safe pan.

3. Roast for 25 minutes, or until skin begins to crisp and internal temperature is at least 165°F (74°C).

4. Press & Sear

1. Transfer the skillet to the stovetop over medium heat.

2. Spray a sheet of foil lightly with canola oil and place it, oiled side down, over the chicken.

3. Weigh down with a foil-wrapped brick, bacon press, or another heavy pan.

4. Cook for 2–3 minutes, remove the weight, flip the chicken, baste with reserved marinade, and cook another 2–3 minutes.

5. Serve

• Serve hot with grilled corn, tortillas, or rice, drizzling with any leftover pan juices.

Grill Option

Instead of oven-roasting, grill chicken over medium heat for 6–7 minutes per side, pressing lightly during the last few minutes for charred, crispy skin.

Make-Ahead & Freezer Tips

• Make Ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• Freezer-Friendly: Place chicken and marinade in a freezer bag and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then cook as directed.

What to serve with El Pollo Loco Chicken?

Yes, this El Pollo loco chicken is great on its own. However, the best way to serve it is to add some macaroni and cheese on the side and some warm, delicious tortillas. 

Important Notes For El Pollo Loco Chicken Recipe

• It is true that El Pollo Loco uses coloring. Yes, El Pollo Loco uses food coloring. They get it done to help make the chicken look better. This has no effect on the flavor, so I left it out but noted it in this recipe.
• Chicken is marinated for a long period of time. That’s why it’s so rich in flavor without adding any sauce!
• You are able to cook it using your stovetop, too, if you do not wish to bake, but be careful that you don’t burn the chicken skin too much. The flavor of the crispy chicken skin is crucial to the El Pollo loco recipe.

El Pollo Loco Chicken Video Recipe

If you’ve liked this El Pollo Loco Chicken, you must try these popular copycat recipes below:

Popeyes chicken sandwich recipe
KFC Chicken Littles recipe (Copycat)
McDonald’s Chicken McGriddles (Copycat)
Chick-Fil-A Chicken Minis and Burgerville Fried Asparagus with Garlic Aioli (Copycat)