BBQ & grill 🇲🇽 Mexican 30 min meal

Tacos de Pollo Asado (Grilled Chicken Tacos)

Juicy orange and achiote marinated chicken thighs, grilled and chopped into corn tortillas with guacamole.

Made with Classic guacamole and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Pollo asado marinade. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method

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  • Time30 min plus 2 hr marinating
  • LevelEasy
  • Costabout £2.63 a head

Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.

4 servings

Ingredients

Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.

Method

  1. 1

    Put the chicken in a bowl or bag and pour over your ready made pollo asado marinade (see the base recipe). Turn to coat and chill for 2 hours, or up to 12 hours.

    120 min
  2. 2

    Heat a griddle pan or barbecue until hot. Lift the chicken out of the marinade and discard what is left. Never use it as a sauce.

  3. 3

    Brush the pan with oil and cook the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until charred and cooked through, with no pink and clear juices.

    11 min
  4. 4

    Rest for 5 minutes, then chop into small pieces.

    5 min
  5. 5

    Warm the ready made corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan.

  6. 6

    Fill with chicken, your ready made classic guacamole (see the base recipe), onion and coriander. Serve with lime wedges.

Tips

  • Thigh meat stays juicy on the grill. If you use breast, flatten it to an even thickness so it cooks without drying.
  • Check that the thickest piece is piping hot with no pink before resting.
  • The red-orange colour comes from achiote; it stains, so use a non porous board.

Storing and freezing

Keep cooked chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through, once only.

Questions

How long should I marinate the chicken?

At least 2 hours, and up to 12. Longer than that and the acidic juice starts to turn the surface of the chicken soft and stringy.

Can I bake instead of grill?

Yes. Roast on a tray at {t220} for 25 to 30 minutes until browned and cooked through, then chop.

Are the tacos gluten free?

Yes, with corn tortillas. Check your achiote paste label, as some brands add wheat.

More made with classic guacamole

See every dish made with classic guacamole

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.

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