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Grilled chicken al pastor with charred edges, glossy reddish-orange adobo coating, and caramelized pineapple pieces

Chicken Al Pastor

Rebecca Blumer
Chicken al pastor features boneless chicken thighs marinated in smoky chipotles, earthy annatto, and tangy citrus, then grilled alongside thick pineapple slices for juicy tacos or bowls.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 servings
Calories 543 kcal

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Grill
  • Tongs
  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients
 

  • 7 ounce can chipotles in adobo sauce
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon ground annatto or paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano Mexican oregano if available
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup canned pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 pineapple

Instructions
 

  • Blend the chipotles and all their adobo sauce with the avocado oil, annatto, coriander, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pineapple juice, lime juice, vinegar, and cilantro. Stop when the mixture looks uniformly reddish-orange, without visible chile pieces.
  • Coat the thighs thoroughly with the blended mixture in a large zipper bag or bowl, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours and no more than 10 hours. Turn the meat through the sauce so it reaches the folds as well as the broad surfaces.
  • Heat the grill to approximately 400°F using medium-high heat. The cooking surface should be hot enough to produce a steady sizzle when the chicken lands.
  • Trim away the pineapple's crown, base, and peel, then cut the fruit into rounds 1 inch thick. Keep the slices intact for easier handling on the grates.
  • Transfer the thighs to the grill with tongs, leaving excess used marinade behind, and cook for 5–6 minutes on each side; grill the pineapple for 3–5 minutes per side. Look for dark char spots on the chicken and browned patches on the fruit, but use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness rather than relying on color or timing alone.
  • Move the fully cooked chicken onto a clean cutting board and give it a 5-minute rest. The pause lets the meat settle before cutting, with glossy juices still visible beneath the browned coating.
  • Cut the rested thighs and grilled pineapple into slices or bite-size dice. A similar piece size makes the chicken and fruit easier to combine evenly.

Notes

Marinade tip: Blend the sauce until completely smooth with no visible chile pieces so it coats the chicken evenly, and stay within the 2 to 10 hour marinating window.
Ingredient tip: Keep the fresh pineapple in sturdy 1-inch rounds for grilling so the fruit is easy to turn with tongs without slipping through the grates, then dice it afterward.
Serving tip: If you want a finishing toss for the diced meat, reserve a splash of clean, freshly blended marinade before adding raw chicken; never use leftover marinade that touched raw poultry.
Storage and reheating: Store leftover chicken and pineapple covered and chilled, separate from fresh garnishes. Reheat only the portion you need gently and thoroughly before adding cold toppings.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.
Keyword chicken al pastor, grilled chicken thighs, pineapple chicken tacos