Cinnamon Free Pollo Asado

Total time3 hr

Prep time20 min

Cook time40 min

4.7

(14)

Smoky, citrus-drenched, and deeply charred at the edges, this grilled chicken is the kind of meal that makes everyone hover near the grill asking when it'll be ready. The marinade leans on fresh orange and lime juice, garlic, cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, and oregano — bold, layered flavors that have absolutely no need for cinnamon, making this a genuinely safe and satisfying option for anyone avoiding that spice. Many spice blends and store-bought marinades sneak cinnamon in as a background note, so building this one from scratch gives you full control over every ingredient. The chicken gets a long soak — anywhere from two to eight hours — so the citrus and aromatics penetrate all the way to the bone before it ever hits the heat. Whether you go full grill for that gorgeous char or finish things off in a hot oven, the result is juicy, caramelized chicken with crispy skin that practically falls off the bone. A squeeze of fresh lime and a handful of cilantro at the end keeps everything bright and fresh. This is weeknight dinner energy with weekend cookout results.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the chicken

3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks)

For the marinade

¼ cup fresh orange juice
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

For serving

lime wedges, for serving (optional)
fresh cilantro, roughly chopped, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, oregano, black pepper, salt, and cayenne (if using) until combined.
2
Place the chicken pieces in a large zip-top bag or baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, turning each piece to coat thoroughly. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.

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