The grill has been my happy place the last few weeks. I decided it’d be a good idea to make some chicken in the flavor profile that is my absolute favorite: pollo a la brasa chicken thighs. This isn’t technically pollo a la brasa because it’s not cooked rotisserie style AND it’s cooked over a gas open fire not wood of any kind. I gotta keep it real, hence the reason why the word “style” is important.
Regardless these Pollo a la Brasa Chicken Thighs are SO good. It is so flavorful and juicy and delicious. Thighs are already on the juicier side but when you marinate them in this combination of ingredients, you’re met with a chicken that is spicy (not too spicy!), a little ginger-y and absolutely delicious.
I marinated these overnight once and then the next time I made them, they only marinated for about 2 hours. Both times were bomb! So it’s really up to you! What does your schedule look like? It might be easier to have it marinate overnight.
I made an IGTV video, showing step-by-step how to make these thighs!
What is Pollo a la Brasa?
Pollo a la brasa is a Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken that's typically cooked over fire-wood. The marinade is incredibly important. It has soy sauce, aji amarillo and lots of other spices like cumin and coriander to really give it an incredible flavor.

Pollo a la Brasa Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon huacatauy or 1 tablespoon fresh mint
- 1 freshno chile, jalapeno or aji amarillo
- 1-inch knob peeled ginger finely grated
- 6 whole garlic cloves peeled
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 ½ pounds bone-in chicken thighs
Instructions
- To a blender, add the soy sauce, red wine vinegar, huacatauy or fresh mint, jalapeño, ginger, garlic cloves, cumin, paprika, salt and freshly ground cracked pepper. Blend until very smooth, about 1 minute.
- To a large bowl, add the bone-in chicken thighs. And then pour in the soy sauce mixture. Cover the bowl and transfer to the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. When you’re ready to grill, remove from the fridge and allow to temper for about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat your grill for 10 minutes. When you’re ready, brush the grill with neutral oil. To the direct heat, place the chicken, skin side down and cover, cooking for about 5 to 7 minutes, checking on it at the 7 minute mark. Flip if needed, and cook on the opposite side for 2 minutes.
- Remove from direct heat and place on a part of the grill that is indirect heat; cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165F. Remove from the grill and garnish with cilantro or green onions.
Equipment
Nutrition
Are you looking for another pollo a la brasa recipe, right this way. This is a whole chicken made pollo a la brasa style but in the oven!
If you've ever been to a Peruvian restaurant, specifically a Pollo a La Brasa restaurant, you know that they always serve it with Aji Verde. This recipe is definitely an American adaptation, using ingredients we can find here. But it's still a winner!
Tim says
it was good. i baked 400 for 27 minutes in the oven. thank you.
Phi Nguyen says
A Flavor Bomb with the Chicken Thighs and the Peruvian Green Sauce. Awesome Recipes.
Air Fryer @ 375 for 12-15 Minutes then the last 2 min @ 400 for extra Crackle.
Karla says
This is my go to chicken recipe now. I’ve made it at least 5 times.
It’s so easy to throw all the ingredients in the blender and marinade the chicken overnight. I like doing this with a whole chicken that I cook in the air fryer, but I bet thighs would be great too.
Awesome recipe! I love it so much. It’s a hit with guests too. Thank you, thank you!
Adrianna Adarme says
wow i love hearing this!! xx
Lisa Yulish says
This was delicious! So flavorful and easy to make
Adrianna Adarme says
this makes me so happy!
Shannon says
Hey! If you did this with boneless thighs without a grill would I still roast in the oven 350 for 40 mins? On a sheet pan?
Natalie Cleary says
This was the best chicken I’ve. Ever. Had in my entire life. Period. It was so good. My husband and I enjoyed it taco style. We may never recover - everything else I’ve made for dinner has paled in comparison. I’m so, so grateful and perhaps ruined. Thank you so much for sharing.
Adrianna Adarme says
wow i love to hear it!
maude says
This loks delish!! How would you do this on a griddle pan? I'm not sure how to go about the indirect heat part. Thank you!
Adrianna Adarme says
I would do this in an oven (not in a pan). You could roast the chicken on 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.
Taryn says
For the direct grilling, how high should the grill be heated to? Medium?