Peruvian Grilled Chicken (Pollo a la Brasa)

A flavorful Peruvian-style grilled chicken marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, and spices. This classic pollo a la brasa yields tender, juicy meat with a perfectly seasoned crispy skin.

4 servings
9 hr 10 min

Ingredients

  • cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 whole whole chicken
  • 1 serving lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Blend soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and oil in a blender.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Put chicken in a large sealable bag and add marinade. Seal bag and marinate, chilled, 8 to 24 hours.

    480 min

  3. 3.

    If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom and lid of grill. Light a large chimney starter full of charcoal (preferably hardwood). When coals are lit, dump them out along opposite sides of bottom rack, leaving a space free of coals (the size of the quartered chicken) in middle. When you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill rack directly over coals for 3 to 4 seconds, coals will be medium-hot.

    20 min

  4. 4.

    If using a gas grill, preheat all burners on high, then reduce heat to medium-high.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Discard marinade, then pat chicken dry. Oil grill rack, then grill chicken over area with no coals (or over a turned-off burner), skin side down first, covered, turning over once, until cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes (add charcoal to maintain heat).

    35 min

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