23 Simple Side Dishes To Serve With Your Pollo Asado

Pollo asado chicken has tons of earthy flavors with a hint of acidity and citrus. And you might have heard about it in Chipotle’s 2023 menu, but pollo asado is a classic Latin American recipe. Every country and region has its own twist, but they’re all incredibly delicious.

What To Serve With Pollo Asado Sides

What is Pollo Asado?

Pollo asado is perfectly seared chicken marinated in bold Mexican spices, red peppers, and a mixture of citrus juices like lemon juice, lime juice, and fresh orange juice. Some spices include chili powder, dried ancho chili, and achiote powder (or achiote paste), and it depends. There is no one way to season pollo asado. The most flavorful chicken combines all sorts of spices. 

I’ve also experimented with soy sauce, and it turned out so delish, with tons of umami flavor.

Try this Chipotle copycat pollo asado recipe with fresh cilantro.

Try These Cuts For The Best Chicken Asado

When you make seared chicken, you can use boneless skinless chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs rather than bone-in chicken thighs or chicken legs for chicken pieces for taco night.

You can also roast chicken using a whole chicken and roasted in the oven. 

Cooking Methods (And Tips For Indoor Cooking)

You don’t need a charcoal grill or outdoor grill to make good chicken asado. If you’re a city person like me, then you know that we always find ways to adapt. So, I love making this recipe using a cast iron griddle or skillet. It’s an easy stove top alternative.

However, if you have an outdoor grill, you get those real smoky grill marks and smoky flavor unique to a grill.

A Pre-Marinated Pollo Asado Alternative

Trader Joe’s pollo asado (autentico) is pre-marinated, saving you a load of time. The time spent marinating the chicken can vary but can last at least 2-4 hours.
You only need to finish the cooking process and fresh, warm corn tortillas for the best pollo asado tacos.


Delicious Pollo Asado Sides

Here are some of my favorite sides with this classic chicken recipe for an easy weeknight or weekend family dinner.

Cilantro Lime Rice

A delicious blend of cilantro and fresh lime juice with jasmine rice.

overhead view of cilantro lime rice in a bowl to serve with pollo asado
Cilantro Lime Rice
Jasmine rice with cilantro and fresh lime.
Click Here For Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
cilantro lime rice in a bowl

2. Black Beans

This canned black bean recipe takes less than 20 minutes to prepare. It uses a hint of avocado oil (or olive oil), canned black beans, diced onions, fresh tomato, ground cumin, and salt.

Mexican black beans are similar. You can make them from scratch by soaking dried black beans in water overnight.

side view of Cooked Canned black beans to serve with pollo asado
How To Make The Best Canned Black Beans
Turn bland canned beans into delicious restaurant-like black beans (frijoles negros) and serve with white rice and fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley.
Click Here For The 20-Minute Black Bean Recipe
overhead of cooked Canned black beans frijoles negros with fresh herbs on a plate with white rice

3. Guacamole

Fresh avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, and a hint of salt. That’s all that it takes for the best guac.

4. Warm Tortillas

To make pollo asado tacos, quickly warm corn tortillas on a skillet and serve with your favorite toppings. I love fresh-cut cilantro, sour cream, and fajitas in my tacos.

5. Air Fryer Yuca Fries

Crispy, air fryer yuca fries are a treat made with less fat and as good as the classic yuca frita recipe.

overhead view of Air fryer yuca fries on a plate serve with pollo asado
How To Make Crispy Yuca Fries In The Air Fryer
Yuca is a mild, nutty, starchy vegetable that can be turned into crispy deliciousness without deep frying! These yuca fries in the air fryer, are so easy and simple to make.
Click Here For Air Fryer Yuca Fries Recipe
overhead view of air fryer yuca fries on a plate

6. Air Fryer Sweet Plantains

Ripened plantains that turn starchy plantains into sweet goodness. Then air-fried to a perfect sweet crisp.

side view of air fryer sweet plantains on a plate to serve with pollo asado
The Easiest Air Fryer Sweet Plantains
Delicious, sweet, and easy-to-make air-fried sweet plantains. They're a lighter version of the classic maduros recipe.
Click Here For Air Fryer Sweet Plantains Recipe
side view of air fryer sweet plantains on a plate

7. Chimichurri Rice

If you have leftover rice or a pot of freshly made rice, combine fresh hand-cut chimichurri sauce with it to give your rice a bit of a kick.

Chimichurri rice on a dish and wooden spoon to serve with pollo asado
Chimichurri rice serve with pollo asado
Chimichurri Rice
Jasmine rice with tangy and savory chimichurri sauce
Click Here For Chimichurri Rice Recipe
overhead view of chimichurri rice on a charcoal stone plate

8. Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

Homemade with corn tortillas, this recipe is simple to make in an air fryer. You can also try this on a baking sheet.

If you love the lime tortilla chip from Chipotle, finish these with lime juice.

overhead view of Air fryer tortilla chips with salsa on a plate to serve with pollo asado
How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips At Home
Click Here For Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Recipe
overhead view of air fryer tortilla chips on a plate

9. Lentejas (Lentils)

This lentil recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients. Pair these two for a filling dinner.

side view of Lentejas in a bowl to serve with pollo asado
Delicious Sopa De Lentejas with Plantains (Lentil Soup)
Look no further than a bowl of sopa de lentejas! This hearty soup is packed with nutritious green lentils, sweet plantains, tangy diced tomatoes, and a blend of rich spices. And if you really want to take your soup to the next level, don't forget to add the optional crispy plantain and green onion crumble – trust me, it's so worth it!
Click Here For Lentil Recipe
overhead view of sopa de lentejas with plantain and green onion crumble

10. Twice Fried Plantains (Patacones)

Top these salty, crispy patacones (crispy plantains) with the chicken for a slightly different take.

side view of Patacones (twice fried) on a plate serve with pollo asado
Crispy Fried Patacones Made With Green Plantains
Made with unripe plantains, this classic patacones recipe is so delicious that you might want to make multiple batches!
Click Here For Patacones Recipe
overhead of Patacones on parchment paper

11. Crispy Yuca Fries

Crispy and naturally gluten-free yuca fries are mild, nutty, and perfect when paired with seasoned seared chicken.

Chimichurri aioli with yuca fries on a plate to serve with pollo Asado
Extra Crispy and Tender Yuca Fries with Chimichurri Aioli
Super crispy yuca fries are undefeated; they're so good when they're done right.
Click Here For Crispy Yuca Fries Recipe

12. Air Fryer Plantain Chips

Plantain is thinly sliced, air-fried, and turned into crispy heaven.

overhead view of air fryer plantain chips with parsley on a dish to serve with pollo asado
Air Fryer Plantain Chips
Easy, crispy homemade air fryer plantain chips are perfect for snacking. They're gluten-free and a healthier version of the classic plantain chips.
Click Here For Air Fryer Plantain Chips Recipe
overhead view of air fryer plantain chips with parsley on a stone color plate

13. French Fries

I mean crispy fries. What else can I say? Whether crinkle fries (my fave), shoestring fries, or classic french fries, these are incredible with chicken, and the kids love it.

14. Sweet Potato Fries

Crispy sweet potato fries pair perfectly with pollo asado, adding natural sweetness and contrast.

15. Fajitas

Slowly cooked onions and sweet peppers are naturally sweet and simple to make.

Sauces

16. Ancho Aioli

Earthy flavors, with tons of flavor, perfect for dipping or adding to a pollo asado bowl.

Side view of ancho chili aioli to serve with pollo asado
Easy and Delicious Ancho Aioli
Homemade mayo blended with ancho chile, creating a creamy, smoky sauce with just the right touch of spice.
Click Here For Ancho Aioli Recipe
Side shot of ancho chili aioli on a spoon and plantain chip

17. Cherry Pepper Aioli

Spicy cherry peppers with garlic make the perfect aioli.

Cherry Pepper aioli in a small bowl with plantains to serve with pollo asado
Cherry Pepper aioli to serve with pollo asado
Spicy Garlic Aioli With Cherry Pepper Relish
Homemade mayo with a kick of spicy garlic.
Click Here For Cherry Pepper Aioli Recipe
Side shot of spicy garlic aioli with fried plantains

18. Chimichurri Aioli

Hand-cut chimichurri aioli is herbaceous and zesty.

overhead view of chimichurri aioli in a bowl serve with pollo asado
chimichurri aioli in a bowl serve with pollo asado
Chimichurri Aioli
Classic aioli with tangy chimichurri.
Click Here For Chimichurri Aioli Recipe
chimichurri aioli in a bowl

19. Creamy Chimichurri Sour Cream

Why use plain sour cream when you can combine it with herby chimichurri?

side view of Creamy Chimichurri Sauce on a spoon to serve with pollo asado
Creamy Chimichurri Sauce
Creamy parsley and cilantro chimichurri sauce
Click Here For Chimichurri Sour Cream Recipe
Creamy-chimichurri-sauce-on-a-spoon

20. Hand Cut Chimichurri Sauce

Freshly hand-cut herbs like cilantro and parsley are delicately mixed with fresh garlic, red pepper flakes, vinegar, lime juice, and extra virgin olive oil. It’s an easy recipe.

overhead view of Hand-cut chimichurri sauce on a spoon to serve with pollo asado
Authentic Chimichurri Recipe
Herby chimichurri recipe with fresh cilantro, parsley, and garlic. Perfect on grilled steaks, roasted chicken, rice and more.
Click Here For The Chimichurri Recipe
overhead view of authentic chimichurri sauce on a spoon and rameken

21. Aji Picante

This Colombian empanada sauce doesn’t only work with empanadas. I love the brightness and herbiness in this mildly spicy sauce.

side view of Aji Picante Serve with pollo asado
Aji Picante A Spicy Colombian Empanada Sauce
Perfectly spicy empanada dipping sauce.
Click Here For The Aji Picante Recipe
aji picante empanada sauce on empanada

22. Pico de Gallo Sauce

Tomatoey, oniony, cilantro, and jalapeno sauce with a hint of lime juice.

23. Salsa Verde (Tomatillo Sauce)

Salsa Verde overhead view for list of sides to serve with pollo asado

With its slight acidity, salsa verde is my favorite salsa. My favorite dish in this classic New York Mexican restaurant, Rosa Mexicano (a New York institution), is their roasted chicken suizas with tomatillo sauce (salsa verde), chihuahua cheese, and crema. It’s incredible!

​Trader Joe’s has a delicious salsa verde, which you can save in the fridge for taco Tuesdays.

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Share and tag me with your favorite sides. I’d love to know your favorites, and to see photos of your creations.

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