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You are here: Home » Recipes » Christmas & New Year's

Pollo Al Horno (Whole Roasted Chicken)

Published: Dec 8, 2016 · Updated: Sep 12, 2019 by Mely Martínez

JUMP TO RECIPE

Mexican pollo al horno is a tasty traditional dish that will please your entire family. It's easy to make and only requires the use of one pan. You can serve it with rice or corn tortillas, but if you're looking for something fresh, try serving it with cilantro lime salad on top. So grab some garlic, lemon juice, fresh rosemary leaves, and a whole chicken because today we'll be cooking Mexican pollo al horno!

Roast Chicken pollo al horno recipe

The holidays are always a good excuse to gather the family around and enjoy a great memorable meal together. In Mexico, most families prepare a roasted turkey or a roasted pork leg or shoulder. Some folks prefer a baked chicken because it is more affordable, their family may be small, or because they live on a farm and raise their own chickens.

Roast chicken is popular all over the country, and it has a few variations according to the region. Several prefer to add a dried pepper adobo, while others just season it with herbs, like in this recipe. Sometimes, the chicken is even stuffed in the same way a turkey would!

It's absolutely delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions About Pollo Al Horno

Before I share my chicken recipe, here are a few questions I’ve been asked about homemade pollo al horno.

Can you make this in the slow cooker?

You can cook a whole chicken in a slow cooker, but it won't have the same texture. The chicken will be softer, falling off the bone. If you want crispy outer skin, I suggest roasting it.

Should I marinate the chicken before I roast it?

Yes, you can choose to marinate the chicken before you roast it, but it isn't required. Marinating your chicken will allow the spices and seasoning to soak deeper into the meat. I think it tastes juicy and flavorful without marinating.

What is a safe cooking temperature for roasted chicken?

The safe cooking temperature of chicken breast is 180°F. Use an instant-read food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken before you serve it.

Juicy Pollo Al Horno

Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make this dish…

  • Roasting Chicken
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Fresh Rosemary
  • Lemon or Lime
  • Butter
  • Garlic Cloves
  • Carrots
  • Potato
  • Olive Oil

Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

How To Make Whole Roasted Chicken Recipe: Step By Step Tutorial

To make things easier for you, I am going to break down the directions to this recipe into sections.

Prepare the Chicken and Oven

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Clean chicken by rinsing it inside and out. If it has excess fat, remove it, and pat dry with paper towels. Tuck the wing tips under the body.
  • Season the inside of the chicken well with salt and pepper.
step by step prep for whole roasted chicken

Add Spices To The Chicken

  • Mix rosemary, lime juice, lime zest, butter, and mashed garlic to form a paste.
  • Brush the chicken with the butter-lime mix all over, then season the chicken with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with a kitchen string.
  • Place chicken in roasting pan.

Roast The Chicken

  • Roast the chicken for 1 ½ hours; you can use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The breast temperature should read 180 degrees.

Prepare Carrots and Potatoes (optional)

  • Mix carrots and potatoes, then season with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil and 2 sprigs of rosemary.
  • After the chicken has been in the oven for 45 minutes, add the potato/carrot mixture to the roasting pan, where they will cook with the chicken juices and flavors.

Keep Chicken Warm In Aluminum Tent

  • Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven, and cover with aluminum foil for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Enjoy!
basting whole chicken and roasting in oven

What To Serve With Pollo Al Horno

This roast chicken is the perfect main dish. Now, all you need are some authentic Mexican side dishes to go along with it!

This raw nopales salad is bursting with flavors and tastes amazing with the chicken. Pinto beans enchiladas are salty and creamy and add zest to your meal. My husband's favorite thing to eat with pollo al horno is creamy potatoes with poblano peppers. So yum!

To add more color and nutrition, make this fiber-rich hearts of palm salad. It has tomatoes, avocado, and a bright salad dressing!

pollo al horno

More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy

If you enjoyed this recipe for pollo al horno, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:

  • Easy Chicken With Herbs
  • Milanese Recipe
  • Chicken Breast With Vegetable Stew
  • Chicken With Creamy Poblano Sauce
  • Creamy Chipotle Chicken Breast

I hope you make this pollo al horno! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!

¡Buen provecho!

Mely

Pollo Al Horno (Whole Roasted Chicken)

Mely Martínez
Roast chicken is popular all over the country, and it has a few variations according to the region. Several prefer to add a dried pepper adobo, while others just season it with herbs, like in this recipe. Sometimes, the chicken is even stuffed in the same way a turkey would.
5 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
Course Chicken
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8
Calories 397 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 roasting chicken about 4-5 pounds
  • Salt and pepper to season
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary finely chopped*
  • 1 lemon or lime halved
  • Zest of lemon
  • 4 tablespoons ½ stick of butter, melted or room temperature
  • 4 garlic cloves mashed
  • ½ head of garlic

OPTIONAL TO SERVE WITH THE CHICKEN

  • 2 carrots cut into cubes
  • 1 large potato cut into cubes
  • 4 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 4-6 sprigs of rosemary

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Clean chicken by rinsing it inside and out. If it has excess fat, remove it, and pat dry with paper towels. Tuck the wing tips under the body. Season the inside of the chicken well with salt and pepper. Place the half head of garlic inside the chicken cavity.
  • Mix rosemary, lime juice, lime zest, butter and mashed garlic to form a paste.
  • Brush the chicken with the butter-lime mix all over, then season the chicken with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with a kitchen string. Place chicken in roasting pan.
  • Roast the chicken for 1 ½ hours; you can use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The breast temperature should read 180 degrees. (If adding the carrots and potatoes, continue to step 5.)
  • Mix carrots and potatoes, then season with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil and 2 sprigs of rosemary. After the chicken has been in the oven for 45 minutes, add the potato/carrot mixture to the roasting pan, where they will cook with the chicken juices and flavors.
  • Once the chicken is done, remove from oven, and cover with aluminum foil for about 10-15 minutes. Serve with the vegetables.

Notes

Some people use thyme instead of rosemary, but I personally prefer rosemary because it brings back sweet memories of Christmas Day when my aunts were preparing the dinner and the aroma of rosemary filled the house.
I highly recommend you use a meat thermometer when roasting meats. They are not too expensive and will help you to always have tender, juicy roasted meats.

Nutrition

Serving: 6ozCalories: 397kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 22gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 148mgPotassium: 375mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 3770IUVitamin C: 14.1mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2.4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marta

    December 23, 2019 at 1:46 pm

    Hola Mely,
    Would like to try this but not sure about something. Ingredients include
    1/2 head of garlic but isn't included in the instructions. Help por favor :o)

    Reply
    • Mely Martínez

      December 23, 2019 at 2:36 pm

      Hello Martha,
      You are right, it goes inside the chicken cavity. And remove after roasting. Happy cooking!

      Reply
  2. Jessica

    November 22, 2019 at 9:16 pm

    5 stars
    Me encanto esta receta. En vez de pavo voy a cocinar este pollito para Thanksgiving ♥️

    Reply
  3. Pattie Vazquez

    November 18, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    The only thing I can say about this chicken is it’s out of this world, awesome awesome awesome. This is my fourth time making it. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Mely Martínez

      November 22, 2019 at 7:55 am

      Hello Pattie,
      I'm so glad you like the Pollo al Horno recipe, it is tasty!

      Reply
  4. Carlo

    June 14, 2018 at 10:39 pm

    5 stars
    I stumbled on this recipe as a last minute to-do for chicken. This is perhaps the best baked chicken recipe we have ever tried. The seasoning mixture was tremendous, the color of the chicken was wonderful and while I like my meat a little drier and my wife a little more moist, we were both completely satisfied with how this turned out. Also our three year old daughter had such a big portion for a fussy eater. I never write reviews, but the simplicity and flavour of such a wonderful meal warranted a review. Thank you very, very much for sharing :)!

    Reply
    • mmartinez

      June 15, 2018 at 10:53 am

      Hello Carlo,
      Thank you for your kind comment about the Roast Chicken recipe, I really appreciate it.

      Reply
  5. Anonymous

    January 16, 2017 at 6:34 pm

    5 stars
    We are having this again tonight, everyone is hungry for it since the first time I made it. Thank you for the recipe

    Reply
  6. Chris

    December 14, 2016 at 2:17 am

    5 stars
    That is a beautiful bird! It looks just perfect and makes me want a bite right now.

    As far as multi-cultural, I agree. My wife and I come from very typical American, white bread, Christian, conservative, Republican families. But we raised our kids think for themselves and see people as people. Our oldest child married a person who immigrated from African (Senegal), second oldest is dating a young black woman, and our youngest is dating someone that immigrated from South American. I think that it is so cool, that they can do that without facing a lot of judgement (especially since we live in the South of the US where many people think everyone is racist and a redneck).

    Reply
    • mmartinez

      December 17, 2016 at 3:58 am

      Wow! Chris, you had done a great job with your kids. Thank you for your kind comment and sharing you family experience.

      Reply
  7. Anonymous

    December 13, 2016 at 12:54 am

    5 stars
    Mely,This was delicioso! Thank you for sharing, it was so pretty I took a picture of it:) I made it with fresh rosemary, and the potatoes with carrots. The whole house smells wonderful and my family loved it.

    Reply
    • mmartinez

      December 17, 2016 at 3:56 am

      Hello,

      Please, if you still have the picture send it to me. i would love to share on our Facebook page. Thank you for trying the recipe. 😉

      Reply
  8. Teresa

    December 12, 2016 at 4:18 pm

    5 stars
    This looks delicious. And so simple. The last time I made a baked chicken was when I was married to my ex husband (from El Salvador) and it came out great. I just haven't made another one....don't know why but I will now. My teen son is half black and half Salvadoran and although to me he looks black outwardly, I feel its better that people just come out and ask him questions they may have about him rather than assume. To me curiosity is an innate human trait but ignorance can be corrected. I'm glad I started following you.

    Reply
    • mmartinez

      December 17, 2016 at 3:55 am

      Thank you for your comment. I hope you try to make the recipe and enjoy it with your son. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Dayzee

    December 09, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    5 stars
    Looks delicious and I'll be trying it! I think the Judgement Free generation has arrived:) My teen and my toddler don't think in terms of colors because they have interacted with many other cultures and have friends with different cultural backgrounds. My teens friends are the same way, sometimes shaming grandparents for bad comments.

    Reply
    • mmartinez

      December 17, 2016 at 3:54 am

      So nice to hear about this new young generation has a new point of view of the world. 😉

      Reply

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ABOUT ME

Mexico in my kitchen | Mely Martinez

Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.

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