Pollo Pibil (Yucatecan Achiote Roast Chicken)
Chicken thighs marinated in achiote and sour orange, slow roasted until tender, with pink pickled onions and warm tortillas.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Recado rojo (achiote paste) and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 40
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.31 a head
- Oven170°C (150°C fan)
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
Whisk your ready made recado rojo (see the base recipe) with the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin and 1 teaspoon of salt until smooth.
- 2
Put the chicken in a dish, pour over the marinade and turn to coat. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
240 min - 3
Heat the oven to 170°C (150°C fan). Tip the chicken and marinade into a roasting tin, cover tightly with foil and roast for 1 hour.
60 min - 4
Remove the foil, turn up the oven to 220°C (200°C fan) and roast for 20 minutes more until the skin is browned and the juices run clear with no pink at the bone.
20 min - 5
Rest for 10 minutes, then pull the meat from the bone and toss it in the pan juices.
10 min - 6
Warm the tortillas. Serve the chicken in tortillas topped with your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe).
Tips
- Marinate overnight for the deepest colour and flavour.
- Banana leaves are traditional. Wrap the chicken in a few to bake if you can find them in an Asian or Caribbean shop.
- Check the chicken is 75C in the thickest part before resting.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 3 days in the fridge, covered. Reheat until steaming hot throughout. Freeze for 2 months.
Questions
What does pibil mean?
Pibil refers to the Mayan way of cooking in an underground pit. Home cooks roast in the oven instead.
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but it dries out. Roast breasts for 35 to 40 minutes and baste often.
Is achiote spicy?
No. It is earthy and slightly peppery, not hot. Add a habanero for heat.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Tortas de Pollo y Jamón con Frijoles (Chicken and Ham Mexican Sandwiches)
EFNFHPEnsalada de Garbanzos y Aguacate con Cebolla Encurtida (Mexican Chickpea Salad)
VGVDFTacos de Camarón a la Diabla (Devilled Prawn Tacos)
GFDFEFTortas de Pollo en Salsa Verde (Chicken Torta Sandwiches)
EFNFDFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double 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.