Cuban Grilled Chicken Pollo A La Plancha Recipe
The flavorful Cuban-style chicken dish pollo a la plancha (literally translates to ‘chicken on the grill’) pairs well with rice and black beans. It’s a perfect example of how the Afro-Caribbean, Spanish and Indigenous Taino cultures of the island nation of Cuba come together to shape its rich culinary heritage.
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Cuban Grilled Chicken (Pollo A La Plancha) Recipe
The flavorful Cuban-style chicken dish, pollo a la plancha (which translates to ‘chicken on the grill’), pairs beautifully with rice and black beans. This dish showcases the rich Afro-Caribbean, Spanish, and Indigenous Taino cultures of Cuba, representing the island’s diverse culinary heritage.
Ingredients for Pollo A La Plancha
Cuban-style grilled chicken, or pollo a la plancha, is a simple, weekday-ready meal. Thinly sliced, marinated chicken breasts are grilled and served with flavorful rice and beans (usually black or pinto). This dish reflects the cultural influences that form the unique identity of Cuba. Here’s how you can prepare it:
- Thinly sliced chicken breasts marinated in a citrus blend.
- Grilled on a flat top grill or griddle.
- Served with sides like black beans, pinto beans, or flavorful rice.
- Adaptable to other Latin American flavors.
- Great way to use leftover adobo or mojo.
This dish can be a quick weeknight meal, offering a delicious fusion of Afro-Caribbean, Spanish, and Indigenous Taino flavors.
Step-by-Step Process for Making Pollo A La Plancha
To create this Cuban classic, follow these steps:
- Prepare the Chicken Marinade:
- Combine orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt and pepper.
- Mix well and coat the chicken thoroughly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour (overnight is ideal).
- Preheat the Plancha:
- Heat your griddle or skillet to a high temperature.
- Grease with a small amount of oil to prevent sticking if necessary.
- Prepare the Avocado Salsa:
- Rinse red onion slices in cold water.
- Add a pinch of salt to reduce the sharpness.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Adjust lime juice or olive oil to taste, if needed.
- Cook and Serve:
- Grill the marinated chicken on the hot plancha until cooked through.
- Serve with the avocado salsa and popular sides like white rice, refried black beans, or plantains.
Ingredients
Cuban cuisine is known for being some of the most flavorful in the world – and a lot of it is simple to make at home. Pollo a la plancha is a perfect example. This recipe is a quick weeknight meal, full of citrus marinated chicken and sauteed onions. It is a staple in both Cuban households and in many Cuban restaurants.
To make this recipe, start by preparing the chicken marinade. Combine orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix well, then add the chicken and coat thoroughly. Then, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour – overnight is ideal.
Once the chicken is marinated, pre-heat your plancha (griddle or skillet) to a high heat. If necessary, grease it with a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
While the plancha is heating, prepare the avocado salsa. Rinse the red onion slices in cold water and add a pinch of salt to help remove the bite. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. If desired, add more lime juice or olive oil to taste. Then, serve the pollo a la plancha with the avocado salsa and enjoy! This dish pairs wonderfully with a wide range of sides. Some of the most popular accompaniments include white rice, refried black beans, and plantains.
Marinade
A marinade is a flavoured liquid that is used to soak meat, fish or vegetables before cooking. It can be made with a range of ingredients, including acidic items such as vinegar or wine and oil to moisten the food. It can also contain herbs and spices and flavourings to add a distinctive taste. It is important to choose a marinade that complements the main ingredient.
A good marinade should contain an acidic element such as lemon or lime juice, oil and flavourings. It should also be prepared in advance so that it has time to absorb the flavours of the other ingredients. Many cooks prefer to prepare their marinades in a blender, which helps to emulsify the ingredients. This will help ensure that the entire mixture is evenly distributed over the food. The marinade can then be covered and left to sit for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Pollo a la plancha is a Cuban dish consisting of citrus marinated chicken breasts that are grilled or seared on a flat surface known as a “plancha” or a griddle. It is an easy weeknight meal that can be served with a side of rice and beans, maduros or tostones. This classic Cuban recipe represents so much of what Cuban cuisine is about – simple flavors with big impact.
Process
A la plancha is a cooking method that combines high-temperature searing with a bit of smoke. The dish is usually made on a flat top grill or griddle. It is perfect for fish, seafood and meat that need a good sear on the outside but must remain tender inside. It is also a great way to prepare vegetables and even potatoes. In Cuba, pollo a la plancha is typically served with rice and beans (black beans or pinto beans). It is a simple and quick weekday meal that can be prepared using basic ingredients. You can find it in most Cuban restaurants.