This Cuban-Style Air Fryer Roasted Chicken (Cuban Pollo Asado) brings bold, juicy flavors to your kitchen with just a handful of ingredients. If you’re looking for a new, easy chicken dish, this Pollo Asado Recipe is a great choice. You’ll love how this air fryer method gives you deliciously crispy skin and tender, juicy meat in less than one hour.
Using a mixture of citrus juices and classic Latin American spices, this Cuban Pollo Asado Recipe is a breeze to whip up, making it perfect for both busy weeknights and special family dinners.
Pollo Asado is Spanish for “Roasted Chicken” and is known for its deep, savory flavors, making it an iconic dish in Cuban cuisine. Traditionally, Cuban Pollo Asado is marinated with a tangy and garlicky mojo marinade made with sour orange (naranja agria), a classic Cuban Mojo Chicken ingredient. But since sour oranges can be tricky to find, I use a combination of fresh orange juice and lime to bring out that tangy mojo flavor.
This easy Cuban Garlic chicken is easy to marinate and cooks perfectly in your air fryer just like this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe.
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❤️Why you will love this Cuban Roasted Chicken
- Bold Cuban Food Flavors: Marinated in a blend of garlic, citrus juices, and spices, this flavorful chicken recipe is packed with the flavors of Cuban cuisine, delivering a juicy, tangy, and savory experience in every bite.
- Juicy Chicken (Crispy Skin, Juicy Meat): Our air fryer recipe provides one of the best ways to achieve that golden brown and crispy skin while keeping the meat tender and juicy.
- Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner: This recipe brings the taste of slow-roasted cuban chicken to your table in half the time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or an effortless weekend's delicious meal.
Equipment
For this recipe, you only need your Air Fryer (Freidora de Aire), a small bowl, food bag, and an Instant-Read Thermometer for best results.Ingredients and Substitutions
This Cuban Pollo Asado recipe uses pantry ingredients for ease. These ingredients are commonly used in Cuban cuisine to give the chicken a bright and savory flavor.
See the Printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities
- Chicken – a whole chicken is ideal, but you can use your favorite cut of chicken like bone-in chicken breasts, bone-in chicken thighs, or even skinless chicken thighs. See notes under instructions for cooking boneless options like boneless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs. Use the meat cut you like most!
MARINADE INGREDIENTS - Fresh Orange Juice - Sour Orange Juice (made from Sour Oranges) is typical for this Cuban marinade. Still, since they can be challenging to find, I’ve used a combination of Orange and Fresh Lime Juice. Fresh lemon juice is also a suitable substitute for lime.
- Vegetable Oil – I like olive oil for extra flavor, but a neutral oil works too.
- Fresh Garlic Cloves crushed – Fresh us best, but if you’re in a pinch, substitute with Garlic powder.
- Sweet Paprika – adds a mild, earthy flavor. A typical red color ingredient in this marinade is Achiote, which comes in various forms (Achiote Paste, Achiote Powder, or Annatto Paste) made from Ground Annatto Seeds and is commonly found in Latin Grocery Stores. Achiote is typical in Latin American and Caribbean Cuisines to add color. To make this recipe easier, I use Sweet Paprika which is more easily found at a local grocery store, Smoked paprika is NOT recommended for this recipe.
- Onion Powder, Ground Cumin & Oregano – Mexican Oregano, if you can find it, adds a more robust and earthy flavor.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper.
- Optional: Fresh Cilantro or Parsley for garnish.
Cook's Tips for Success
- To get the most out of this recipe, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better). The marinade tenderizes the meat and infuses extra flavor, making each bite tangy, garlicky, and deliciously aromatic.
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to cooking
Instructions
The preparation and cooking process for this chicken is straightforward. Dump the ingredients in a bowl, marinade the chicken, let it soak in the refrigerator, and then air fry. Easy!
- In a small bowl, combine the marinade ingredients, including garlic, lime juice, orange juice, oil, and spices.
- Mix well, then pat the chicken dry and loosen the skin.
- Place chicken in a gallon-sized food bag, pour marinade over it (reserving 1/4 cup for basting), and rub the marinade all over and under the chicken skin.
Let marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours. In the absence of a food bag, alternatively, you can place the marinated chicken in a large bowl and cover the top of the chicken with plastic wrap, then refrigerate.
- Before cooking, bring the chicken to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (187°C).
- Place the chicken (breast down) in the air fryer basket, baste, and set to 35 minutes, then press Start.
- Flip to the breast side up and baste again. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes at 370°F.
- Using a meat thermometer, check the internal temperature in the thickest part to ensure it reaches 165°F before removing.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes, then carve and serve.
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I love to serve this chicken with yuca fries and drizzle of a creamy Garlic and Cilantro sauce! And extra for dipping!
Recipe Variations
Oven Roasting Method
If you prefer to oven-roast, preheat to 375°F (190°C), place the marinated chicken in a baking dish or on a baking sheet, and roast until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 45-60 minutes.
Air Frying Method for Cut-up Chicken Pieces:
Preheat the Air Fryer to 380°F (193°C). Place the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer (chicken skin side down), ensuring they aren’t overcrowded. Baste and roast chicken for about 25-30 minutes at 380°F (193°C), flipping and basting again halfway through for even browning. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before removing. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes, then serve.
If you use bonesless chicken pieces, the cooking time will be approximately 18-20 minutes.
Serving Suggestions For Cuban Pollo Asado
This Cuban-Style Roasted Chicken pairs well with traditional Cuban sides such as Black Beans and White Rice (Moros y Cristianos, also called Arroz Congri), Fried Sweet Plantains (maduros) or Tostones, and this simple Avocado-Palm Hearts Green Salad.
A dipping sauce like this Aji Verde drizzled over the chicken or this fantastic Garlic Cilantro Sauce is highly recommended! You could also serve it with roasted vegetables or yucca fries for a complete meal that complements the Cuban flavors of the chicken.
Storage suggestions
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to maintain that crispy texture without getting dry.
This Cuban Pollo Asado recipe (Pollo Asado Cubano) brings authentic bold Cuban flavors right to your kitchen in the most convenient way. Next time you’re craving something with zesty, garlicky Cuban flair, this is your go-to recipe for juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken!
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Cuban-Style Air Fryer Roasted Chicken (Cuban Pollo Asado)
Equipment
- For this recipe, you only need your Air Fryer, a small bowl, food bag, and an Instant-Read Thermometer for best results.
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Chicken - see notes
- 1 large Fresh Orange juiced about 1/4 cup of Orange Juice - see notes
- 2 Limes juiced (about 1/4 cup Lime Juice)
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 6 Garlic Cloves crushed – fresh is best but substitute with 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder if needed.
- 1 teaspoon Sweet Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground Black Pepper
- Optional: Fresh Cilantro or Parsley for garnish.
Instructions
- Make the marinade: In a small bowl, combine the marinade ingredients, including garlic, lime juice, orange juice, and spices. Mix well, then pat the chicken dry and loosen the skin.
- Marinate: Place chicken in a gallon-sized food bag, pour marinade over it (reserving 1/4 cup for basting), and rub the marinade all over including under the chicken skin. Let marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Temper: Before cooking, bring the chicken to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (187°C).
- Cook: Place the chicken (breast down) in the air fryer basket, baste, and set to 35 minutes, then press Start. Flip to the breast side up and baste again. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes at 370°F. Using a meat thermometer, check the internal temperature in the thickest part to ensure it reaches 165°F before removing.
- Serve: Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes, then carve and serve.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this recipe post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Notes
- Chicken: A whole chicken is ideal, but you can use your favorite cut of chicken.
- Air Frying Method for Cut-up Chicken Pieces: Preheat the Air Fryer to 380°F (193°C). Place the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer (chicken skin side down), ensuring they aren’t overcrowded. Baste and roast chicken for about 25-30 minutes at 380°F (193°C), flipping and basting again halfway through for even browning. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before removing. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes, then serve. If you use bonesless chicken pieces, the cooking time will be approximately 18-20 minutes.
- Sour Oranges are typical for this cuban marinade. Since they can be challenging to find, I’ve used a combination of orange and fresh lime juices. Fresh Lemon Juice is also a suitable substitute for lime.
Debbie says
Thank you for such an easy, quick and delicious chicken recipe! My family loved it!!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Family-approved — is always a win. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Sam says
This Cuban pollo asado is delicious. I enjoyed it. Perfect for dinner.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
I love hearing that it was perfect for dinner. Thanks!
Carol says
I love using airfryer and this roasted chicken was spot on in flavors. The chicken was juicy.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
The air fryer really delivers on flavor and juiciness — glad this one was a hit 😊
Deborah says
I have to say thank you - this was the first whole roasted air-fryer chicken that turned out just right! Moist, flavoursome, and very easy. Great recipe I'd 100% recommend 🙂
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Amazing to hear! I love that this was your first whole air-fryer chicken and it turned out just right — thanks so much for the recommendation!
Liza says
I struggle with making roasted chicken but this air fryer recipe came out perfect. Super juicy on the inside with crispy skin.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
So glad this recipe made roasted chicken stress-free for you.
Claudia says
Juicy, zesty, and so easy—this Cuban roasted chicken is amazing!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it - it’s one of my favorites for an easy, flavorful meal. Your feedback made my day! ?
Kim says
This was so easy to make and the whole family loved it. It worked perfectly in the air fryer too. I have a double one so made this on one side and some potatoes on the other.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Hi Kim,
Thank you for sharing your experience! That's great that you have a double air fryer and can make it a complete meal — such a smart and tasty combo! 🙂
Nicole Kendrick says
I love the bold flavors of this chicken and how tender and juicy it gets in the air fryer. SO GOOD!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Happy you enjoyed it! Bold flavors and juicy chicken are definitely a winning combo — especially when the air fryer does all the work! 🙂 Thanks for leaving your comment, Nicole!
Nora says
This was very good, and since I am on the hunt for more air fryer recipes, this one is a keeper! Thanks!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
I’m glad you liked it! The air fryer really makes things easy. Thank you!
Nisha says
The chicken turned out juicy and delicious, the spices and marinade in orange juice gave a nice flavor.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thanks, Nisha! Happy to hear it turned out juicy and flavorful! The orange juice does add a nice citrus kick. 🙂
Ashley says
Yum! This chicken was so juicy and flavorful--it's going to be on regular rotation. And I love that it was made in the Air Fryer. A keeper for sure!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you, Ash! ? So happy you liked the Cuban flavors! Trying to make cooking easier one recipe at the time. ??