This Cuban-Style Air Fryer Roasted Chicken, or Pollo Asado, delivers the bold, sun-kissed flavours of Cuba directly to your dinner table in under an hour. This recipe uses the magic of the air fryer to produce incredibly crispy skin while locking in moisture for tender, juicy meat.
At its heart, Pollo Asado is a classic dish known for its deep, savory flavours derived from a tangy, garlicky marinade.1 Traditionally, this mojo marinade is made with sour oranges (naranja agria).2 Since those can be difficult to find, this recipe creates that signature tangy flavour with a simple combination of fresh orange and lime juice, mixed with classic Latin spices. Perfect for a busy weeknight, this dish offers the taste of slow-roasted chicken without the wait.
Why You Will Love This Cuban Roasted Chicken
- Authentic Cuban Flavors, Simplified: Marinated in a vibrant blend of citrus, garlic, cumin, and oregano, this chicken is packed with authentic flavour in every single bite.3
- Perfectly Crispy Skin & Juicy Meat: The air fryer is the perfect tool for achieving a flawless golden-brown, crispy skin while ensuring the meat inside remains exceptionally tender and juicy.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is designed for convenience. With a simple marinade and a quick air fryer cook time, you can have a spectacular meal on the table with minimal effort.
Ingredients and Substitutions
This recipe relies on simple, accessible ingredients to build its bright, savory flavour profile.
- Chicken: A whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs) is ideal. However, this recipe also works beautifully with bone-in chicken thighs or breasts. (See notes in the “Variations” section for different cuts).
For the Marinade:
- Citrus Juice: A combination of fresh orange juice and fresh lime juice mimics the classic flavour of sour orange.4 Fresh lemon juice can be substituted for lime.
- Oil: Olive oil is preferred for its flavour, but any neutral vegetable oil will work.
- Garlic: Freshly crushed garlic cloves are essential for the best flavour. In a pinch, garlic powder can be used.
- Spices: Sweet paprika provides colour and a mild, earthy taste.5 (Note: A traditional colouring agent is Achiote or Annatto, but paprika is a more common pantry staple). You will also need onion powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano (Mexican oregano is a great choice if available).
- Seasoning: Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Garnish (Optional): Freshly chopped cilantro or parsley.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Marinade
In a small bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients: orange juice, lime juice, oil, crushed garlic, sweet paprika, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate the Chicken
Pat the whole chicken dry with paper towels. Gently loosen the skin over the breast and thighs. Place the chicken in a large food-safe bag or a large bowl. Reserve about ¼ cup of the marinade for basting later, and pour the rest over the chicken. Rub the marinade all over the chicken, making sure to get it under the skin. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
3. Prepare for Cooking
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 370∘F (187∘C).
4. Air Fry the Chicken
Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast-side down. Baste it with some of the reserved marinade. Air fry for 35 minutes.
5. Flip and Finish Cooking
Carefully flip the chicken so it is breast-side up. Baste it again with the remaining marinade. Continue to cook for an additional 15−20 minutes.
6. Check for Doneness and Rest
The chicken is done when the skin is golden and crispy, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165∘F (74∘C). Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist result.
Recipe Variations
- Oven-Roasting Method: If you don’t have an air fryer, preheat your oven to $375^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($190^{\circ}\text{C}$). Place the marinated chicken in a roasting pan and roast for approximately $45-60$ minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches $165^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($74^{\circ}\text{C}$).
- For Cut-Up Chicken Pieces (Air Fryer): Preheat the air fryer to $380^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($193^{\circ}\text{C}$). Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer, skin-side down. Cook for $25-30$ minutes, flipping and basting halfway through. For boneless, skinless pieces, the cook time will be shorter, around $18-20$ minutes. Always verify with a thermometer.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
This Pollo Asado is the star of any meal. Serve it with traditional Cuban sides like black beans and rice (Moros y Cristianos), fried sweet plantains (maduros), or a simple avocado salad. A drizzle of a fresh, herbaceous sauce like Aji Verde or a Garlic Cilantro Sauce is highly recommended.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to help crisp the skin back up.
Conclusion
This Cuban-Style Air Fryer Roasted Chicken is a testament to how modern cooking methods can make traditional recipes more accessible for everyday meals. It delivers all the zesty, garlicky, and savory notes of an authentic Pollo Asado with a fraction of the time and effort. The result is a stunningly juicy and flavourful chicken with irresistibly crispy skin, proving that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create a truly memorable dish.
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Cuban-Style Air Fryer Roasted Chicken (Pollo Asado)
Cuban-Style Air Fryer Roasted Chicken (Cuban Pollo Asado Recipe) brings bold, juicy flavors to your kitchen with just a handful of ingredients. This air fryer method gives you deliciously crispy skin and tender, juicy meat in less than one hour.
Equipment: For this recipe, you only need your Air Fryer, a small bowl, food bag, and an Instant-Read Thermometer for best results.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
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
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.
Best tip! For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better). Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to cooking.
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.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Cuban
