Pollo Loco – grilled chicken over Mexican rice and smothered in white queso – My favorite Mexican recipe! I literally licked my plate! SOOO good!!
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Pin This RecipeThis could quite possibly be the best thing that I have ever made! We both took one bite and knew this was our new favorite meal. It was inspired by a dish Chicken Legs had when he was out of town. He described the dish to me, and I thought it sounded like something I would like.
I decided to take a shot at it and recreate it at home. It was unbelievable! The chicken had a fabulous flavor, and the Mexican rice was spot on! We will never have to go out for Mexican again.
We grilled our chicken. If you don’t have access to a grill or the weather isn’t right to fire up the grill, you can cook the chicken inside. Pan sear the chicken breasts in a skillet for 3 or 4 minutes per side. Place chicken on a baking sheet and bake at 425ºF for an additional 10 minutes.
Chicken Legs said this was so good that he could write my blog post today –“YOU MUST MAKE THIS!” Well said!
Pollo Loco
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 bottle Lawrys Baja Chipotle Marinade or Lawrys Mesquite Marinade
- 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup uncooked long grain rice (not instant)
- 1 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp southwestern seasoning or taco seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 container refrigerated white Mexican Queso (I used Gordos Cheese Dip)
- 1 chopped tomato
Instructions:
- Pour Lawrys Baja Chipotle Marinade over chicken and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or overnight. When ready, grill chicken until done (165 degrees).
- While the chicken is grilling prepare the rice.
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until puffed and golden. While rice is cooking, sprinkle with salt and Southwestern/Taco seasoning.
- Stir in onion flakes, tomato sauce and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Heat cheese dip according to package directions set aside.
- To assemble the Pollo Loco – place ¼ of the rice on a plate, top with grilled chicken. Pour 2-3 Tbsp cheese dip over chicken and rice and top with chopped tomatoes.
Notes:
- If you don’t have access to a grill or the weather isn’t right to fire up the grill, you can cook the chicken inside. Pan sear the chicken breasts in a skillet for 3 or 4 minutes per side. Place chicken on a baking sheet and bake at 425ºF for an additional 10 minutes.
- I use Gordo’s or Pancho’s White Queso dip. I find it in the refrigerated cheese section at the store.
- Here is the link to the marinades on Walmart:
- Lawry’s Marinade Baja Chipotle:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lawry-s-Marinade-Baja-Chipotle-12-fl-oz-Cooking-Sauces-Marinades/1577451417 - Lawry’s Marinade Mesquite Lime:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lawry-s-Marinade-Mesquite-Lime-12-fl-oz-Cooking-Sauces-Marinades/10319654
- Lawry’s Marinade Baja Chipotle:
- If you don’t want to order the Lawry’s marinades online or can’t find them in the store, here are a few of alternative products:
- McCormick Grill Mates Mesquite Marinade Mix:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/McCormick-Grill-Mates-Mesquite-Marinade-Mix-1-06-oz-Cooking-Sauces-Marinades/10308846 - G Hughes Sugar Free Smoky Mesquite Marinade:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/G-Hughes-Sugar-Free-Smoky-Mesquite-Marinade-12-oz/986300358 - J.L. Kraft Marinade-In-A-Bag Smoky Mesquite Liquid Marinade:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/J-L-Kraft-Marinade-In-A-Bag-Smoky-Mesquite-Liquid-Marinade-12-oz-Bag/575751289
- McCormick Grill Mates Mesquite Marinade Mix:
Steph
Remember this recipe.
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Pin This Recipe
Love love!! One of my favorite recipes but I can’t find these marinades anywhere now…. Suggestions for substitution’s?
Here is the link to the marinades on Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lawry-s-Marinade-Baja-Chipotle-12-fl-oz-Cooking-Sauces-Marinades/1577451417
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lawry-s-Marinade-Mesquite-Lime-12-fl-oz-Cooking-Sauces-Marinades/10319654
If you don’t want to order them online or can’t find them in the store, here are a couple of alternative products:
Grill Mates Mesquite Marinade: https://www.walmart.com/ip/McCormick-Grill-Mates-Mesquite-Marinade-Mix-1-06-oz-Cooking-Sauces-Marinades/10308846
G Hughes Smoky Mesquite Marinade: https://www.walmart.com/ip/G-Hughes-Sugar-Free-Smoky-Mesquite-Marinade-12-oz/986300358
J.L. Kraft Smoky Mesquite Marinade in a Bag: https://www.walmart.com/ip/J-L-Kraft-Marinade-In-A-Bag-Smoky-Mesquite-Liquid-Marinade-12-oz-Bag/575751289
This recipe is delicious. Every time I make anything Mexican now, my kids ask if I am making this rice with it. The chicken in this recipe is delicious as well. I have made this several times. I always keep the ingredients on hand for the rice.
I never comment on a recipe that I’ve tried, but this was Fantastic!!! Made exactly as written, loved, loved this, better than our favorite local Mexican restaurant!! Thanks so much for the recipe ❤️
Would this freeze well?
You can freeze the baked casserole without the cheese dip.
This was delicious!!! I followed your recipe exactly as written and I wouldn’t change a thing. This might have been the first time I made it but it won’t be the last!!! Thank you
SO glad you enjoyed it! We absolutely LOVE it too!
Made this and loved it…!!! Didn’t have Lawry’s but did find chipotle marinade and a baja marinade mixed them and let sit for 2 hours… WOW was my family impressed! Will be in the monthly rotation!
Made this tonight for dinner for my family. When I asked if I should make it again, they practically screamed yes. Everyone loved it! The rice was especially good! Thanks for this one!!
I have made this twice in 3 weeks. It is a huge hit with my family and friends!!!! Thank you for posting some amazing recipes. Pinning more to try since cooking is about all we can do right now. #quarantineNC
I don’t usually leave comments, but I had to on this one. This is the BEST recipe I have come across in along time. It’s easy and simple but very delicious. I used Lawry’s mesquite marinade and marinated by chicken overnight. I also used Ranco’s white queso dip I found at Walmart. This will definitely be put into my arsenal of recipes.
SO glad you enjoyed it!
Are we cooking raw rice in oil and then adding water? I've never done that. Toasting the rice before cooking it, basically?
Correct
I made this today and it was wonderful! I had to go to Kroger to get the Lawry’s Baja Chipotle marinade but it made the dish. I used white instant rice instead of brown and it was excellent.
So good, it's a keeper. I did have a problem finding the McCommick's Southwest Seasoning looked in 3 stores, so I used taco seasoning, still looking for Southwest Seasoning.
After I saw your comment and starting putting my list together, I checked Meijer, Kroger, Walmart, Target and store here that carries everything from around the world. If you can’t fijd something, go there. They didn’t have it either. I emailed McCormick and they told me they discontinued both lines of southwest seasoning they had (the salt free and an organic). Mrs. Dash sells a southwest blend and Target has a Market Pantry blend like Mrs. Dash. Hope that helps!