Description
Pollo a la plancha delivers Cuban-style grilled chicken that sizzles with simple, authentic flavor straight from Havana’s kitchen. Marinated in citrus and garlic, this tender chicken brings zesty Caribbean sunshine right to your dinner plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small white onion, thinly sliced
Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- Juice of 2 limes
- Juice of 1 orange
Instructions
- Flatten each chicken breast to ½-inch thickness between parchment paper using a meat mallet. This technique guarantees uniform cooking and tender meat.
- Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, juice from 2 limes, juice from 1 orange, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in a mixing bowl. Submerge chicken completely in this marinade.
- Allow chicken to marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes or refrigerate up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
- Preheat a large skillet to 400°F (204°C) with a light coating of olive oil. Your skillet should be hot enough to create a golden-brown sear.
- Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Each side should develop a crisp, caramelized exterior.
- In the same skillet, sauté your thinly sliced white onion over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and slightly golden.
- Transfer chicken to serving plates, generously topping with the caramelized onions. Accompany with traditional Cuban sides like rice and beans.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness helps them cook quickly and stay tender.
- Marinating for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) maximizes flavor and ensures juicy meat.
- Using a cast-iron skillet or heavy griddle creates the best char and caramelization on the chicken.
- For a gluten-free version, swap sour orange juice with fresh lime and orange juice combined, and check that your seasonings are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14-15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cuban
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg