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Cooked chicken pieces, seasoned with a reddish spice mix reminiscent of pollo asado, placed inside an air fryer basket. The chicken appears crispy and well-cooked.
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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Pollo Asado Recipe

Air Fryer Pollo Asado is juicy, flavorful, and perfect for a quick and easy meal. With a blend of citrus juices, smoky spices, and juicy chicken, it’s a crowd-pleaser for any night of the week. Plus, it’s so simple to make, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Chill Time (Optional)30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Diet: Gluten Free
Keyword: air fryer pollo asado
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 321kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breast sliced in half lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 can chipotles in adobo
  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1/2 tablespoon cumin
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients except the chicken to a food processor or blender, and blend for 2-3 minutes, until it is a paste. You can also do this with an immersion blender, but will need to chop the ingredients up a little smaller.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/3 cup lime juice, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 can chipotles in adobo, 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, 5 garlic cloves, 1 medium onion, 1/2 tablespoon cumin, 1/2 tablespoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1.5 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • Add the pollo adobo marinade and chicken to a ziplock bag or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight.
    3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs

For the Air Fryer:

  • Preheat the air fryer to 180°C/356°F.
  • When it’s ready, place the marinated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Air fry for 12-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 71°C/160°F.
  • Remove from the air fryer and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Check the Temp: An instant-read thermometer is your best friend for perfectly cooked chicken.
  • Room Temp Chicken: Let the chicken sit out for 10 minutes before cooking for even results.
  • Marinate Longer: More time = more flavor, so prep the night before if you can.
  • Batch Cooking: If you’re making a lot, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
  • Resting Is Key: Resting after cooking keeps the chicken extra juicy and tender.

Storage instructions

  • Fridge: Store leftover air fryer chicken asado in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
  • Reheat: Warm it in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes or until heated through.
  • Freezer: Freeze in a sealed bag for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Repurpose: Use leftovers in quesadillas, burritos, or salads for easy meal prep.

Nutrition

Calories: 321kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 787mg | Potassium: 678mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 3mg