What is pollo asado?
Pollo asado is a classic Mexican grilled chicken dish that features chicken pieces marinated in a flavorful blend of spices, citrus juice, and sometimes beer or wine. “Pollo asado” literally translates to “roasted chicken” in Spanish. The chicken is traditionally grilled over an open flame or barbecue until lightly charred on the outside and juicy on the inside.
The marinade for pollo asado varies, but often contains ingredients like garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and olive oil. Some recipes may also incorporate orange juice, beer, wine, or soda for additional moisture and flavor. The marinade tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with the seasoned citrusy flavors.
Why serve something alongside pollo asado?
While pollo asado is delicious on its own, having a side dish or two can complement the flavors and make for a more complete meal. Here are some reasons why it’s a good idea to serve side dishes with pollo asado:
- Provides a contrast in textures – The charred exterior and tender juicy meat of the pollo asado has a great contrasting texture. Pairing it with something soft or crunchy, like tortillas, rice, or beans can provide an additional appealing textural element.
- Adds more nutrition – The chicken alone is protein-rich but lower in carbohydrates. Serving pollo asado with vegetable or starch sides like roasted potatoes, corn, or salad makes the meal more nutritionally balanced.
- Allows you to incorporate more flavors – Sides are a great opportunity to add more bright, fresh flavors through ingredients like citrus, herbs, chili peppers, etc. This can enhance the overall flavor experience.
- Satisfies different preferences – Not everyone may want to fill up on chicken alone. Offering sides provides more options to please different tastes and appetites.
- Makes for a more impressive presentation – Serving pollo asado family-style with an array of sides elevates the visual appeal and feels like a heartier, more complete meal.
So sides are very recommended to create a satisfying pollo asado feast!
What are good side dishes to serve with pollo asado?
There are many excellent options for side dishes that pair wonderfully with juicy, citrusy-seasoned grilled chicken. Here are some of the top recommendations:
Rice
Rice is a classic companion to absorb the delicious juices and flavors of pollo asado. Try:
- Mexican rice – Rice simmered in tomato sauce and chicken broth with veggies and spices.
- Cilantro lime rice – Fresh and bright rice made with lots of lime juice and cilantro.
- Coconut rice – For a Caribbean twist, make rice cooked in coconut milk.
- Arroz verde – Rice colored green with spinach or tomatillos and green chilies.
Beans
Hearty beans pair wonderfully with chicken. Consider making:
- Refried beans
- Black beans
- Pinto beans
- Charro beans simmered with bacon
Serve beans on the side, or use them as a base for the chicken.
Tortillas
Warm tortillas go hand-in-hand with Mexican food. Serve alongside pollo asado so guests can make tacos or burritos with the chicken. Corn and flour tortillas are both excellent options.
Guacamole
Creamy, fresh guacamole adds a nice contrast in texture and flavor. The richness pairs beautifully with the seasoned chicken. Make guacamole ahead or let guests assemble their own at the table.
Salsa
What’s Mexican food without some salsa? Fresh pico de gallo, roasted tomatillo salsa, or other favorite salsa make tasty dips for the chicken.
Cheese
Melty cheese is amazing on pollo asado. Top with grated cotija, queso fresco, shredded Monterey jack, or Mexican cheese blends.
Roasted Vegetables
Charred veggies complement the smoky chicken. Try roasted peppers, onions, squash, sweet potatoes, or cauliflower spiced with cumin and chili powder.
Coleslaw
For crunch, make a refreshing cabbage slaw with lime, cilantro, and chili powder. The crisp texture and tangy flavor balances the chicken well.
Street Corn
In Mexico, grilled corn on the cob slathered in cream, chili powder and cotija cheese is a popular street food. It’s the perfect side for pollo asado.
Fruit
Fresh fruit helps cut the richness and adds sweetness. Serve sliced watermelon, pineapple, mango, or cucumber sprinkled with lime and chili powder.
Full Meal Recipes to Pair with Pollo Asado
Here are some excellent full meal recipes to consider making with pollo asado as the star:
Pollo Asado Tacos
Tacos are one of the most popular ways to serve pollo asado. Construct tacos using warm corn or flour tortillas filled with the grilled chicken, cilantro, diced onion, lime wedges, and salsa. Serve withlime rice and beans.
Pollo Asado Bowls
Build a bowl with pollo asado, rice, black beans, roasted veggies, avocado, salsa, and Mexican cheese like cotija or queso fresco. Garnish with cilantro and lime.
Pollo Asado Salad
For a lighter meal, make a salad with chopped romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, corn, bell peppers, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla chips. Toss in a chili-lime dressing.
Enchiladas
Make enchiladas by rolling tortillas filled with pollo asado and cheese, then smothering them in enchilada sauce. Top with more cheese, lime crema, cilantro, and onion.
Fajitas
Sizzling fajitas are easy to make by sautéing peppers and onions, then serving them with the chicken and warm tortillas. Provide fixings like guacamole, sour cream, cheese, and salsa.
Tostadas
For tostadas, top crunchy fried tortillas with refried or black beans, pollo asado, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, Mexican crema, and avocado.
Pollo Asado Pizza
Give pizza a Mexican twist with grilled chicken, peppers, onions, cilantro, lime juice and Mexican cheese. Serve with pico de gallo and chili ranch on the side for dipping.
Burrito Bowls
Burrito bowls are just like burritos deconstructed into a bowl. Include rice, beans, chicken, salsa, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and other favorite taco toppings.
Chimichangas
For chimichangas, wrap pollo asado and cheese fillings in tortillas, then fry or bake until golden and crisp. Top with fun garnishes like guacamole, crema, and cilantro.
Tamales
Make traditional tamales by steaming masa dough with fillings of pollo asado, cheese, chili peppers, beans, rice, or salsa verde.
Quesadillas
Easy cheesy quesadillas are made by grilling flour tortillas filled with melted cheese and pollo asado until crispy. Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
Nachos
Pile tortilla chips with melted cheese, chicken, beans, salsa, guacamole, jalapeños, and all your favorite nacho toppings.
Tips for Serving Pollo Asado
Here are some helpful tips for successfully serving pollo asado and side dishes:
- Let guests assemble their own tacos, fajitas, or nachos to customize with their preferred toppings.
- Keep tortillas wrapped in a cloth napkin or towel to stay warm and steamy.
- Have multiple salsas or sauces available so people can flavor to their tastes.
- Set up a taco bar or build-your-own-bowl station with all the ingredients laid out.
- For buffets, use slow cookers or warming trays to keep the chicken, rice, beans and veggies heated.
- Serve citrus wedges, cilantro sprigs, radishes, and other fresh garnishes.
- Provide extra serving utensils so multiple people aren’t handling the same tools.
- Have a serious margarita bar to complement the Mexican feast!
Full Meal Menu Ideas
Here are some complete menu ideas centered around pollo asado for different occasions:
Casual Family Dinner
– Pollo Asado
– Mexican Rice
– Refried Beans
– Diced Tomatoes, Onion & Cilantro
– Corn Tortillas
– Chips & Guacamole
– Margaritas
Backyard Cookout
– Grilled Pollo Asado
– Street Corn
– Coleslaw
– Watermelon Wedges
– Tortilla Chips & Salsa Bar
– Mexican Beer or Sangria
Fiesta Celebration
– Garlic-Chili Pollo Asado
– Arroz Verde
– Black Beans
– Elote Callejero (Mexican Street Corn)
– Guacamole Bar
– Beef Taquitos
– Tres Leches Cake
Game Day Spread
– BBQ Pollo Asado
– Cheese Quesadillas
– Nacho Bar
– Refried Beans
– Southwest Chopped Salad
– Chips, Guacamole & Salsa
– Margaritas & Mexican Beer
Conclusion
Pollo asado is incredibly flavorful on its own, but takes on its full potential when served alongside traditional Latin sides like rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. Vibrant vegetables, creamy guacamole, warm tortillas, and other thoughtfully chosen accompaniments can round out the meal into a totally satisfying fiesta feast. With endless delicious recipes to choose from, you can experiment with different flavor and texture combinations. Just be sure to keep lots of fresh limes, spicy salsas, and chilled margaritas on hand to complete the Mexican meal experience!