Pollo Asada with Cuban Black Beans & Rice
30 minutes, plus 1 hour marinade
Latin American
Meal prep just got a whole lot more flavorful! This juicy, citrusy chicken thigh marinade pairs perfectly with Royal Ready-To-Heat Cuban Black Beans & Rice for an easy, satisfying meal prep that’s packed with bold flavor. The best part? Royal’s fragrant Cuban Black Beans & Rice is ready in just 90 seconds, making this a delicious weeknight or meal prep shortcut with minimal cleanup!
Ingredients
Cuban Black Beans & Rice Bowls
- 2 packages Ready-to-Heat Royal Cuban Black Beans & Rice
- 2 Pollo Asada Chicken Thighs
- 1 large cucumber, finely diced
- ½ red onion, finely minced
- 1 large lime
- ½ tsp salt
Pollo Asada Marinade
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 2 Valencia oranges, peeled
- 1 lime, peeled
- ¼ cup neutral oil
- 2 tbsp store-bought taco seasoning or the spices here: 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp
ground coriander, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tbsp
smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt - 3 chipotles in adobo
- 3 tbsp achiote paste (
- If you can’t find achiote paste, substitute 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1 tsp
white vinegar) - 1 tbsp agave or honey
Preparation
Marinate the chicken.
- Add the oranges, lime, oil, cumin, coriander, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chipotles, achiote paste, agave, and salt to a blender.
- Blend until completely smooth.
- Place the chicken thighs in a bowl or resealable bag and pour the marinade over top, making sure the chicken is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
Make the cucumber topping.
- While the chicken marinates, add the diced cucumber and minced red onion to a bowl.
- Zest the lime directly over the vegetables, then add the lime juice and salt.
- Toss well and let sit while you cook the chicken, allowing the vegetables to lightly pickle in the lime juice.
Cook the chicken.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off.
- Grill, broil, or air fry at the highest temperature setting until deeply charred on the outside and cooked through, flipping halfway through as needed.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice.
