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Photograph of the finished Pollo pibil

Mexico · Gà nướng lá chuối achiote Pollo pibil

Pollo pibil

1 hr 40 min Hands-on time + 8 hr soaking or marinating first
MediumDifficulty
5 stepsSteps

Method

  1. 1 Mix achiote with orange juice and lemon juice to make a thick red marinade, then marinate the chicken for 8 hours.
  2. 2 Soak sliced red onions in vinegar for 20 minutes to give them a pink color and a crispy texture.
  3. 3 Heat the banana leaves for 10 seconds, then line the mold completely. Arrange the chicken along with all the marinade and seal the edges tightly.
  4. 4 Bake at 170 degrees for 1 hour; wrap tightly so the chicken cooks using its own steam instead of drying out.
  5. 5 Open the package, tear the chicken apart, mix it with the juices, then wrap it in a tortilla with pickled onions and habanero peppers.

With an appliance

  • Air fryer 1 hr

    Replace step 4: spray oil on the outside of the leaf wrapping, divide the chicken into two portions, then use a steam cooker at 185 degrees for 40 minutes, flipping the packages at the 20th minute. This is 20 minutes faster than an oven, but the smaller pot size forces you to divide the chicken into portions, while the sealed leaves still retain the meat through steam.