All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade
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All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade
Introducing my go-to All-Purpose Al Pastor Marinade recipe—a zesty, spicy blend with a citrusy kick from orange juice, a punch of garlic, and a fiery heat from chipotle peppers. It’s perfect for marinating your favorite meats like chicken, and it comes together in just 5 minutes! Completely Gluten-free + Dairy-free.
Al Pastor is a classic Mexican dish traditionally made with marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit, which gives it that irresistible smoky, spicy flavor. But I’ve put my spin on it by making an All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade that works on any meat (or veggies) and is especially great for chicken. Whether it's served over rice, tossed in salads, or wrapped in tacos—it’s got a delicious kick that makes everything better!
It's packed with vibrant spiciness with a little tang from the orange juice --- I usually double the batch because it's that good! Haha. While it's perfect for chicken, it's also fantastic with fish like salmon or even tofu. If you enjoy whipping up your own marinades/sauces be sure to explore the Sauces, Dressings, & Seasonings section of the site for recipes like garlic herb butter, homemade steak, burger + taco seasonings, fresh pesto, and a whole lot more goodness!
Jump to:
- What Is Al Pastor?
- What Is Al Pastor Marinade?
- What Does Al Pastor Marinade Marinade Taste Like?
- Ingredients For All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade
- How To Make All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade
- How To Marinate The Chicken
- Can This Al Pastor Marinade Be Used For Vegetarian or Vegan Dishes?
- What Cut Of Chicken Should I Use?
- How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?
- What Can I Pair Al Pastor Marinaded Chicken With?
- Is This Marinade Really Spicy?
- All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade Recipe Q + A's
- More Homemade Seasoning + Marinade Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade
What Is Al Pastor?
Al Pastor is a classic Mexican dish traditionally made with marinated pork that's cooked on a vertical spit, giving it a deliciously smoky + spicy flavor. For a fun twist, I'm making a version with chicken instead—the same great flavors, just a different protein!
What Is Al Pastor Marinade?
Al Pastor marinade is a flavorful mix of spices like cumin + oregano, combined with chilies like chipotle and achiote paste for a smoky kick. It also has a touch of orange juice and honey for some sweetness. This blend gives your al pastor a delicious balance of sweet, spicy, and savory that’s hard to resist!
What Does Al Pastor Marinade Marinade Taste Like?
- A lively burst of spicy smoky heat from the chilies + spices
- Smoky richness that adds depth
- A little tangy + zesty
- Fresh, vibrant + herby flavor notes
- Sweet notes from the honey
Ingredients For All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade
This marinade freezes really well, so if you’re a fan, definitely make a double batch. That way, you’ll always have some ready-to-go whenever you need it!
MARINADE:
- Garlic cloves. Freshly minced for the best flavor!
- Chipotle peppers. From can in adobo sauce.
- Orange juice. Homemade or store-bought.
- Apple cider vinegar. This helps to balance out the flavors.
- Raw honey. You can sub with maple syrup or Agave.
- Achiote paste. You can find this on my Amazon Shop.
- Chili powder. For another element of spice.
- Spices. Cumin, oregano, salt + black pepper.
CHICKEN:
- Chicken breasts. You could also use drumsticks + thigh pieces.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS JERK MARINADE!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade recipe! Everything from my knives, cutting boards, bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
How To Make All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade
Add the garlic cloves, chipotle peppers, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, achiote paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a high-powered blender, blending everything until smooth!
How To Marinate The Chicken
Pour the marinade over your chicken pieces in a ziplock bag or airtight container. Ensure the chicken is well coated. Seal it up and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours. For the best flavor, let it marinate overnight. If you’re short on time, a few hours will still give you great results!
Freezing Option
You can also marinate the chicken and freeze it right in the marinade. Just toss the chicken and marinade into a freezer-safe bag, squeeze out as much air as you can, and pop it in the freezer. When you’re ready to cook, just let it thaw in the fridge overnight and cook it up like usual. It's a great way to meal plan and stay ahead of the game!
Can This Al Pastor Marinade Be Used For Vegetarian or Vegan Dishes?
For sure! This seasoning is a total game-changer in vegetarian and vegan cooking. It amps up the flavors of tofu, tempeh, jackfruit, and even roasted veggies, giving them that irresistible smokey + spicy kick.
What Cut Of Chicken Should I Use?
You can use any cut of chicken you prefer! Whether it's chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings, this marinade works perfectly. Just adjust your cooking time accordingly for juicy, flavorful results every time!
How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?
Whether you're baking, grilling, air-frying, or pan-searing, it's crucial to make sure your chicken is fully cooked on the inside while staying juicy and flavorful. Here are a few tips to ensure it's perfect every time:
- Check the color & juices. Cut into the thickest part of the chicken. If the juices run clear and the meat is opaque with no pinkness, it's likely cooked.
- Temperature. For certainty, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should read 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part.
- Let it rest. After cooking, let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This helps keep the juices inside for a tastier result.
What Can I Pair Al Pastor Marinaded Chicken With?
The possibilities are endless with this Al Pastor Marinaded Chicken, here are a few ideas-
- A fresh, crisp coleslaw or salad
- With warm tortillas for tacos or wraps
- Fluffy rice or quinoa
- Slice or shred the chicken and mix it into your favorite pasta dish.
- Sprinkle it over pizza along with your preferred ingredients, and watch your pizza come to life with a burst of spicy savory goodness, I love adding it to this simple Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza for some extra protein!
- Assemble nourishing Buddha bowls with a base of grains, greens, basmati or brown rice then layer on colorful vegetables, grains, and your chicken for a complete, balanced meal!
Is This Marinade Really Spicy?
You can adjust the heat level of this marinade to match your taste—just use less chipotle peppers or achiote paste if you prefer a milder kick. Feel free to tweak the amount to fit your spice tolerance!
All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade Recipe Q + A's
Leftover marinade can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Place any leftover chicken in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply add chicken to a baking sheet and bake for a few minutes until completely warmed through.
Yes! You can freeze the marinade for up to 6 months.
Yes! Simply scale the ingredients up or down as needed. Just keep the ratios consistent for the best flavor.
More Homemade Seasoning + Marinade Recipes
Love making All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade recipe from scratch? Check out these amazing homemade recipes next!
- Homemade Jerk Dry Rub Seasoning
- Best Burger Seasoning
- Homemade Blackened Seasoning
- Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Italian Seasoning
- Homemade Pumpkin Spice Seasoning
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
All Purpose Al Pastor Marinade
Ingredients
MARINADE:
- 3 garlic cloves
- 3 chipotle peppers from can in adobo sauce
- ½ cup orange juice, homemade or store-bought
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsps raw organic honey (You can sub with maple syrup or Agave)
- 1 tablespoon achiote paste (You can find this on my Amazon Shop)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt + black pepper, to taste
CHICKEN:
- 2 lbs. organic chicken breasts
Instructions
TO MAKE THE AL PASTOR MARINADE:
- Add the garlic cloves, chipotle peppers, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, achiote paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a high-powered blender, blending everything until smooth.
TO MAKE THE BAKED AL PASTOR CHICKEN:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You can also make the chicken in an oven-safe skillet, if desired.
- In a bowl, add your freshly cleaned chicken breasts along with the homemade Al Pastor marinade, massaging everything together to fully cover it. NOTE: This marinade adds more flavor once chicken is chilled in a zip lock bag or airtight container for at least 2 hours or overnight. Be sure to leave at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before baking.
- Line the marinated chicken breast (side by side) unto prepared baking sheet (or skillet), leaving a bit of room in between each one.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a bit charred on the outside and fully cooked through (but juicy) on the inside.
- Remove from oven and let them cool slightly. Serve with your favorite side of salad, pasta, basmati rice, brown rice, black beans, mango salsa, etc.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Leftover marinade can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Place any leftover chicken in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply add chicken to a baking sheet and bake for a few minutes until completely warmed through.
- FREEZE FOR LONGER: You can prepare in large batches of marinade and freeze them in ice cube trays, after they are frozen, remove the cubes from the trays and store in freezer bags.
- CHICKEN PIECES: I love using chicken breasts for this recipe, however, you can also do this with chicken tenderloins, thighs, and drumsticks.
Nutrition
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