This sheet pan Chicken Al Pastor makes for a delicious, flavor-packed, & healthy dinner! Gluten-free and dairy-free, too!
Hey guys! With Cinco de Mayo just 5 days away, I thought I'd hit you up with one of our Mexican restaurant faves (but a healthier and super easy version!) - this sheet pan Chicken Al Pastor.
I literally can't wait for you guys to make this, we've been pretty obsessed with it over here. In fact, we're eating it again tonight, and my husband has said to me no less than three times already "I can't wait to eat that chicken al pastor again".
It just makes for happy bellies.
Anyway, I've got a big ol' question and answer sesh below and then I'll show you how wildly easy this sheet pan Chicken Al Pastor is to make!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Al Pastor?
A dish normally made with pork shoulder (but not today, Satan!), where the pork is marinated in a mixture of chiles, achiote, vinegar and other seasonings, then roasted on a vertical spit with pineapple. Often used as a taco filling
What does al pastor taste like?
The marinated meat is a little spicy and a little smoky, but SO flavorful, and then when that's accented with pops of sweetness from the pineapples, it's such an incredible flavor combo!
What is achiote paste?
Achiote paste is a concentrated spice paste mostly made from annatto (but also many other spices), and vinegar, sometimes bitter orange or lime and usually comes in "bricks".
What can I substitute achiote paste for in al pastor?
For a quick, though not perfect, sub in this recipe, you can use instead 1 ½ Tbs paprika and 1 Tbs of distilled white vinegar.
That being said, if you have time to order it or can get your hands on it locally, the actual achiote paste adds a distinct flavor to this dish.
Oh, and if you're feeling froggy - you can always trying making your own homemade achiote paste!
Can chicken al pastor be frozen?
Yes!! This freezes beautifully!
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes! I LOVE having this for meal prep, I'm always doubling this recipe so I can do just that with the leftovers!
What should I serve with chicken al pastor?
Here is a quick list of toppings that go well with al pastor:
- chopped red onion
- crumbled queso fresco
- cilantro
- lime wedges
- salsa verde
- pickled onions (see the recipe card for an easy, quick recipe!)
- avocado (smashed with a little salt and lime - or even mash it up with a little salsa verde, it's so good!)
If you're looking for side dishes to serve with chicken al pastor tacos, check out my Creamy Mexican coleslaw, garlic-cilantro cauliflower rice or make a great salad and top it with my chili-lime dressing.
Can I use chicken breasts or chicken tenders instead of chicken thighs in this recipe?
While you definitely can substitute chicken breasts or tenders for the thighs here, I just want to note that the thighs are a lot more forgiving under the broiler and don't tend to dry out as easily as the white meat.
Also, the cook times will vary depending on thickness, so you'll just want to keep a close eye on it.
Is this chicken al pastor kid-friendly?
Well that depends on how spicy you make yours, and how much heat your kiddo likes. This dish is pretty customizable, heat level-wise, so maybe start with one chipotle and go from there (One chipotle will likely give this a very low spice level. We used 2 chipotles, and while my spice-hater said it was a little spicy, she still ate it and liked it).
Is chicken al pastor healthy?
Yes!! I'm calling this one healthy. As long as you do a good job of trimming your chicken, this dish is basically pure protein, spices and a little pineapple and onions.
It's also gluten-free, dairy-free, 21 Day Fix, and Weight Watchers friendly, so serve it with things you feel good about (it's crazy good in a cauliflower rice bowl, btw!) and enjoy!
How to make Sheet Pan Chicken Al Pastor
Make the marinade by blending all marinade ingredients in a small food processor or a blender.
Mix together the chicken, sliced onions and marinade (I usually do this in a ziploc bag, but wanted you to be able to see it better in these photos, just FYI). Then marinade 4 hours to overnight in the fridge.
Dump the contents of your ziploc bag onto a sheet pan, add the chopped pineapple and give a stir to coat the pineapple in the excess marinade. Bake for 15 minutes (it's ok if the chicken isn't quite cooked through at this point.
Remove the chicken from the oven and dice it into small pieces, around a half an inch or so, then put the chopped chicken back onto the sheet pan and stir everything together. Next, just stick this mixture under the broiler for another 5-10 minutes to get some crispy edges.
Enjoy!
Don't forget to save this easy and healthy chicken al pastor recipe to Pinterest ⇓
📖 Recipe
Sheet Pan Chicken Al Pastor
This easy sheet pan Chicken Al Pastor recipe is flavorful and delicious, plus it's gluten-free, too! Great for meal-prep!
Ingredients
Al Pastor Marinade:
- 2-4 chipotle peppers (start with 2 and go up from there for more heat!)*
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs)
- ⅓ cup pineapple juice (those small Dole cans are great, but be sure to use up whatever juice is in the container if you're buying precut pineapple from the produce department!)
- 2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ Tbs sugar (you can use white, brown, honey, agave, etc.)
- ½ Tbs ground cumin
- 1 ½ Tbs (1 oz) achiote paste** (see notes for substitute)
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ Tbs salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
Remaining Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed well (this will yield a little over 1 ½ lbs once trimmed)
- ½ of a small onion, thinly sliced (any kind you have on hand, about 1 cup)
- 1 cup pineapple, chopped small (a container of fresh cut pineapple from the produce department is perfect for this, but you can also use canned pineapple in juice)
Possible accompaniments:
- extra fresh pineapple, cilantro, avocado, lime wedges, diced red onion, pickled red onion***, crumbled queso fresco, salsa verde, black beans, pickled jalapeno, plain Greek yogurt (a perfect sour cream sub!!)
Instructions
- See notes if you want to make some quick pickled onions to go with and do that first!
- Add all of the marinade ingredients to a small food processor or blender and process until smooth.
- To a gallon-sized ziploc bag, add the trimmed chicken, the thinly sliced onion, and the marinade. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, then use your hands to distribute the marinade throughout the bag.
- I like to let this marinade in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight (it's so nice to have this part done the day before, makes for such a quick and easy dinner the next day!). However, you can also let this sit at room temp for 15 minutes and you'll still get a delish meal.
- Preheat your oven to 425°.
- On a large baking sheet (which you can line with aluminum foil for easy cleanup if ya like, be sure to give the foil a spray of olive oil), dump out all of the contents of your ziploc bag and spread out your chicken and onions. Add the chopped pineapple and stir it a bit so it gets covered in the marinade.
- Bake for 12 minutes on the middle rack**** - the chicken may not be fully cooked at this point and that's ok.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven and chop the chicken into small pieces. Put those pieces back on the sheet pan and stir everything together.
- Put your sheet pan back in the oven, on a rack that is 6 inches or so from the broiler and broil on high for 5-10 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and you've got some slightly charred, crispy edges on your chicken.
- Serve that gorgeous al pastor however you like! As tacos, a rice bowl (or cauliflower rice bowl!), a quesadilla, etc.. - just don't forget some fun toppings, they really make this dish! My faves are smashed avocado with a little salt and lime, salsa verde, pickled onions and fresh cilantro!
Notes
*We usually use two chipotles, and while it has a little kick, my kids will still eat it, to give you an idea. Also, whatever adobo sauce is attached to each one is fine, no need to remove it or anything like that.
Btw, skip La Costena chipotles in adobo - it was the only brand I picked up that tasted significantly different and altered the taste of the marinade.
**If you can't get your hands on achiote paste and don't have time to order any - substitute with 1 ½ Tbs paprika and 1 Tbs white distilled vinegar, it'll still be delish!
***For the quick-pickled onions: In a jar or any container with a tight-fitting lid, add ½ of an onion, sliced, ½ cup of red wine or white distilled vinegar, ½ teaspoon sugar, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Give it a shake a let it sit at room temp while you make everything else. Leftovers can go in the fridge.
****If you're doubling this and using two sheet pans (I almost always do this because it freezes so well!), I like to swap the racks that they're on halfway through for even cooking.
21 Day Fix Counts per Serving: 1 Red, ¼ Purple, ¼ Green, and 1 sweetener teaspoon (does not count tortillas or any accompaniments, so be sure to count whatever else you use!)
Weight Watchers Points: Sheet Pan Chicken Al Pastor
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 264Total Fat: 7gCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 34g
If you guys give this healthy sheet pan Chicken Al Pastor a try, let me know what you think! You can leave a comment below or tag me on Insta @thefoodieandthefix. Or if you’re in my private Facebook group, I’d love to see a photo of your creation in there! I hope you enjoy ♥
Comments
No Comments