Juicy, bold, and flavorful Puerto Rican chicken also known as "pollo al horno" is the perfect chicken recipe to start off with if you're new to cooking Puerto Rican food!
The first recipe I learned to make at age 10 is this Puerto Rican chicken recipe. It's simple, uses a lot of spices, and the flavor is out of this world. Enjoy it for dinner with a side of Spanish rice, kidney beans, sweet plantains, and avocado for the ultimate Puerto Rican dinner!
What spices are used for puerto rican chicken?
What makes Puerto Rican chicken stand out is the amount of spices and herbs used. Latin recipes in general is known for it's spices and bold flavors. We do not shy away from flavor, and welcome it with every meal. I say that if you have garlic powder, dried oregano, salt and pepper, you're set- but that's just the beginning!
Ingredients used for Puerto Rican Chicken:
- salt
- pepper
- oregano
- garlic powder
- sazon seasoning (you can replace it with turmeric if desired or ground annatto for color)
- Homemade sofrito, completely optional -your Puerto Rican chicken will still taste great without it.
- Some people like to add Adobo seasoning, but I think there's enough sodium here!
Related Recipe: Cuban Pernil (Pulled Pork)
How To Make Puerto Rican Chicken In The Oven
Once you've added your seasonings to your Puerto Rican chicken, it's time to mix it all up! Be warned, sazon seasoning colors your hands. Be sure to either wear gloves or wash your hands as soon as you're done seasoning your chicken. Growing up my mother would always score the chicken, but it's not necessary.
For the ultimate flavor, you should let your seasoned Puerto Rican chicken sit in the refrigerator overnight -or at least two hours, before baking your chicken.
Do you cover chicken when baking in the oven?
Covering chicken when baking in the oven is done to keep the chicken as moist as possible. For this Puerto Rican chicken recipe with drumsticks, you don't have to, but you absolutely can! Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes so the skin can crisp up a bit.
If you want completely crispy skin, skip the cover on the chicken while baking!
How long to bake chicken in the oven?
Once your chicken has marinated, you'll add it to a pan and bake it at 350 for an hour. Flip it halfway through, and if desired, you can brush BBQ sauce over it for the ultimate oven baked BBQ chicken recipe. I tend to do this to half of the chicken, this way the kids that want the naked baked chicken can enjoy it without BBQ sauce.
For extra crisp, you can set your oven to like 425 for the last 5-10 minutes. I especially do this when I make BBQ chicken.
For wings, reduce total baking time to about 40 minutes.
For boneless chicken, depending on the size of the breasts, bake for 30-35 minutes.
The best way to see if your chicken is done, is by looking for clear juices and checking that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
What kind of chicken should I use for baked Puerto Rican Chicken
The beauty of Puerto Rican chicken is that the seasonings can stay the same for the best flavor profile, regardless on the kind of chicken you're using and the method of cooking your chicken. Remember, bone in chicken will yield the juiciest results. We're huge on drumsticks here, but baked chicken thighs are amazing!
Types of chicken for Puerto Rican chicken:
- drumsticks (skin on or off -it's up to you)
- thighs
- wings
- breasts
- whole chicken (perfect for making a stuffed chicken recipe)
What should I serve with Puerto Rican Chicken?
Traditionally, all Puerto Rican dinners consist of a protein, rice, beans, a side, and salad... typically! Here are some amazing Puerto Rican recipes to serve with your oven baked chicken:
Puerto Rican Potato Salad with Apples
Easy Puerto Rican Kidney Beans
Here is the ultimate list of Puerto Rican Recipe Ideas
📖 Recipe
Puerto Rican Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 pounds of drumsticks
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1 packet of Sazon seasoning
- 2 tablespoons of sofrito optional
Instructions
- Toss chicken and remaining ingredients together into a large bowl, gently mix to coat chicken with seasonings.
- Allow chicken to marinate 2-24 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Arrange chicken on a baking tray and bake for 30 minutes, flip chicken over, bake another 20 minutes before raising heat to 400 degrees for the final 5-10 minutes.
- Serve.
Notes
James says
Hi, which version of sazon does this recipe need? I found several different versions. Thank you.
Latina Mom Meals says
You can use whichever. I use the orange package one that says "with azafron". Let me know how it goes!
Michael S. says
I made Puerto Rican Chicken a few days ago, added basil and grape tomatoes. I sealed the chicken in a pan just before the oven. It was very tasty, all my family loved it! Thank you, Neyssa, for this recipe! Pinned!
Latina Mom Meals says
Awesome Michael! I am so happy to hear this. 🙂
Liz says
Is the cooking time the same if I’m using a whole chicken for this recipe? This sounds so delicious. I’m excited to try it!
Latina Mom Meals says
Hey Liz, for a whole chicken, I would cook it around an hour or until the juices run clear. Let me know how it turns out!
Jody Holmes says
I enjoy different cultures, especially with food. Can't wait to try this.
Latina Mom Meals says
I hope you enjoy it Jody. 🙂
Sandy says
What do you think about substituting the spices with Badia Sazon Complete Seasoning? I will be using chicken leg quarters.
Neyssa says
Go for it! One of my favorites!
Sandy says
It turned out fabulous!!! Thank you!!! Made a few times already... I am Italian, but love Puerto Rican food!!!
Marley says
Have you had issues with the chicken being dry? I want to try this but I was maybe gonna add some olive oil to the marinade?
Neyssa says
You absolutely can! What I often do is create a tent with aluminum foil and a tablespoon of water added to the baking dish for extra moist baked chicken!
Sandy says
Neyssa,
Turned out so fabulous... made a few times already exactly as you said, exception, I added sazon, because I had no Sofrito and I love it... Thank you for sharing this keeper recipe!! I am Italian and am trying to learn Puerto Rican cooking... Perfect!!
Kat says
Super excited to try this recipe. Is it possible to use either chicken breasts or thighs? Hoping the grocery store has chicken legs tomorrow though.
Neyssa says
Yes, you could use either one. Adjust the cooking time, especially with chicken breasts. 🙂
Suzanne says
¡Muy bien!
Diana says
I didn’t have time to bake it so i cooked my chicken thighs on the stove and turned out fabulous. I’m sure it’s even more if baked. Thank you for the recipe. This is a saved recipe.
Neyssa says
Aww, I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this. I'm sure cooking it on the stove made it super juicy! Thank you for the lovely comment.
Jamie says
What kind of sofrito?
Neyssa says
Homemade or store bought. Your preference.
Max says
In the instructions you don't mention covering the chicken, but in the article above you say why it's good to cover the chicken but in this recipe you can uncover it. Just wondering if I should be covering it. Thank you!
Neyssa says
It's up to you. 🙂 Either way works. Covering it makes it more juicy, but less crispy.
Michelle says
Absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe. I used Baja brand sazon. Doubled the rest of the spices as I had a lot of bone in, skin on chicken thighs. Not a hot spicy person ( though I wish I could) but girl,this was so flavorful. What a great recipe!
Maria Noskey says
Made it for people at work. One was from PR and really loved it!!!! So happy with recipe. Its definitely a keeper!
Mary says
Do you think this would work for a whole turkey breast?
Neyssa says
Yes, just adjust time, if needed.
Justine says
This recipe is absolutely amazing! My whole family including all my in laws loved the chicken. Instead of baking it though I grilled it. Now everyone asks for me to make this recipe.