Pollo Asado con Ensalada de Elote (Grilled Chicken with Street Corn Salad)
Citrus and achiote marinated chicken thighs grilled until charred, served beside a creamy warm street corn salad.
Made with Pollo asado marinade and Elote sauce (street corn crema). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.25 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put the chicken in a bowl or bag with your ready made pollo asado marinade (see the base recipe). Turn to coat and chill for at least 1 hour, or up to 12 hours.
- 2
Heat a barbecue or griddle pan to medium high. Lift the chicken from the marinade, shake off the excess and throw the used marinade away.
- 3
Cook the thighs for 6 to 7 minutes each side, until charred and the juices run clear with no pink in the middle. Rest for 5 minutes.
13 min - 4
While the chicken rests, char the dry sweetcorn in a hot pan with the oil for 6 to 8 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes, then toss with your ready made elote sauce (see the base recipe), the coriander and spring onions.
7 min - 5
Slice the chicken, spoon the corn salad alongside and serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Never use the raw chicken marinade as a sauce unless you boil it hard for 3 minutes. It is safest to bin it.
- Marinate for at least 1 hour, but 4 to 12 hours gives the best flavour.
- Thighs stay juicy on the grill. Breast fillets work too but need 5 to 6 minutes a side and a close eye.
- Check the thickest part of the chicken is steaming hot and has no pink before serving.
Storing and freezing
Cool leftover chicken within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. The corn salad keeps for 2 days. Do not freeze the sauced salad.
Questions
Can I bake the chicken instead?
Yes. Roast at 200C (180C fan) on a rack for 30 to 35 minutes until the juices run clear, then grill for 3 minutes to char.
Can I use bone in chicken?
Yes. Thighs or drumsticks take 40 to 45 minutes in a 200C (180C fan) oven or on a covered barbecue away from the direct flame.
What goes well with it?
Warm corn tortillas, black beans or Mexican red rice make it a full meal.
More made with pollo asado marinade
Burritos de Desayuno con Pollo Asado y Huevo (Chicken and Egg Breakfast Burritos)
DFNFSopes de Pollo Asado (Thick Masa Cups with Chicken)
GFEFNFPollo Asado con Arroz Verde y Guacamole (Grilled Chicken Plate)
GFDFEFSopa de Tortilla con Pollo Asado (Tortilla Soup with Grilled Chicken)
GFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.