Puerto Rican style baked chicken or pollo al horno has to be one of my favorite ways to eat chicken! This dish is made with simple ingredients but the result will taste like restaurant-style chicken. You know that Latin restaurant that you love ordering take-out from? YES just like that but even better!
Ingredients for Puerto Rican Baked Chicken:
- Chicken, whole or thighs and drumsticks
- Garlic cloves
- Jugo de lima
- Adobo
- Sazón
- Oregano
- Cebolla en polvo
- Ajo en polvo
- Olive oil
Should I bake chicken covered or uncovered?
I like to bake my chicken covered for the first hour or so and then I uncover it for the remaining cooking time because I like the skin to be crispy. However, you can bake your chicken covered, which will keep the chicken moist. It’s really all depends on your preference. If you want extra crispy skin, broil the chicken at 425F degrees uncovered for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
How To Make Pollo al Horno?
The secret sauce to making delicious Puerto Rican baked chicken is all in the marinade! I combine fresh garlic with adobo, sazón and also ground oregano which really infuse the chicken with TONS of flavor! Lime juice and olive oil help the marinade come together.
I love to use Healthy Rican Adobo and Sazón. Sometimes I even sprinkle the dry sofrito all over the chicken for added flavor. They are just like your favorite Latin seasonings BUT free of harmful ingredients like MSG and dyes. Use my code: madewithsazon for 10% off your order!
Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. The longer the chicken marinates, the better it will taste! Once your chicken has marinated, place in a baking pan and pour that delicious marinade right on top. Add about 1/2 cup of water to the pan so that the chicken doesn’t dry out while baking.
How long to bake chicken per pound in the oven?
Chicken thighs and drumsticks:
Bake chicken thighs and drumsticks covered at 375F degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes, checking about halfway through to make sure the liquid in the pan is not dry. Then bake at 425F degrees uncovered for about 10 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy on top. Keep an eye on it for the last few minutes so it doesn’t burn. Serve the chicken and pour those yummy drippings right on top.
Whole chicken:
If you’re baking a whole chicken, use the 20 minutes per pound rule. This means you will bake the chicken at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes per every pound the chicken weighs, plus an extra 20 minutes at the end. For example, a 3 pound chicken will bake for 20+20+20= 60 minutes. Then broil at 425 degrees for about 10-20 minutes or until the skin is golden brown.
Please see my recipe notes for step by step instructions of cooking a whole chicken.
What to serve with Puerto Rican Baked Chicken?
Pollo al Horno is typically served with white rice y habichuelas guisadas, arroz con gandules (yellow rice with pigeon peas), or arroz moro (black rice and beans). Other popular side dishes include ensalada de papa, ensalada de coditos, avocado, and also tostones (fried green plantains) or maduros (fried sweet plantains).
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Pollo al Horno (Oven Roasted Chicken)
Ingredientes
- 3 lbs chicken thighs and drumsticks or whole chicken bone-in, skin on
- 6 enteros garlic crushed
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 tbsp adobo Healthy Rican
- 1 tsp sazón Healthy Rican
- 1 tbsp dry sofrito Healthy Rican (optional)
- 1/2 tbsp ground oregano
- 1/2 tsp cebolla en polvo
- 1/2 tsp ajo en polvo
- 1/4 taza olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon Better than Bouillon
- 3/4 taza water
Intrucciones
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Clean chicken
- Clean chicken thoroughly with cold water and vinegar or lime juice. Set aside.
Make marinade
- To a large mixing bowl, add olive oil, lime juice and all seasonings. Add chicken to the bowl and mix well until all pieces are completely coated with marinade. Allow chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight. The longer the chicken marinates, the better it will taste.
Bake chicken
- Place chicken in a baking pan and pour any extra marinade over the chicken. Add about 3/4 cup of water to the pan so that the chicken doesn't dry out while baking.
- Add the chicken bouillon to the water for added flavor.
For thighs and drumsticks
- Bake covered at 375℉ degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes, checking about halfway through to make sure the liquid in the pan is not dry.
- Bake at 425℉ degrees for about 10-20 minutes or until chicken is golden brown. Keep an eye on it for the last few minutes so it doesn't burn.
For whole chicken
- Bake covered at 375℉ degrees for 20 minutes per every pound the chicken weighs, plus an extra 20 minutes at the end. For example, a 3 pound chicken will bake for 20+20+20= 60 minutes. Then broil at 425℉ degrees for about 10-20 minutes or until the skin is golden brown.
- Serve chicken and pour those yummy drippings right on top. ¡Buen provecho!
Video
Notas
How long to bake chicken per pound in the oven?
Chicken thighs and drumsticks: Bake chicken thighs and drumsticks covered at 375 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes, checking about halfway through to make sure the liquid in the pan is not dry. Then bake at 425 degrees uncovered for about 10 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy on top. Keep an eye on it for the last few minutes so it doesn’t burn. Serve the chicken and pour those yummy drippings right on top. Whole chicken: If you’re baking a whole chicken, use the 20 minutes per pound rule. This means you will bake the chicken at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes per every pound the chicken weighs, plus an extra 20 minutes at the end. For example, a 3 pound chicken will bake for 20+20+20= 60 minutes. Then broil at 425 degrees for about 10-20 minutes or until the skin is golden brown.HEALTHY RICAN DISCOUNT:
I use Healthy Rican Seasonings. They are free of harmful ingredients like MSG and dyes. Use my code: madewithsazon for 10% off your order!¡Más recetas Latinas!
Churrasco with Chimichurri Sauce
Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas)
Puerto Rican Potato Salad (Ensalada de Papa)
Bacalaitos (Cod Fish Fritters)
Puerto Rican Meatballs In Sofrito Sauce
Spanish 
English 
This must be the best chicken recipe ever, and it’s baked super healthy!!
Yes it’s a family favorite! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for your feedback!
I made this with your Arroz con Gandules and both were so delicious! I love how easy both recipes are and yet the flavor packs a punch. My family really enjoyed the meal and both recipes will be added to our rotation. Thank you!
Thanks for your feedback Lynsey! I’m so happy your family enjoyed these recipes. They are also a favorite in my home!
My family devoured this chicken! Being added to our rotation.
Thank you for your amazing feedback, Angela! I am so happy your family enjoyed this recipe!
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This whole chicken recipe was awesome. On Saturday I seasoned it and baked the chicken for our Sunday dinner. It was absolutely delicious and moist. Made it with yucca with mojo.