Garlic and Cumin Rubbed Chicken

Name: Garlic and Cumin Rubbed Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 4 ancho chiles (stemmed and seeded); 2 dried chipotle chiles (stemmed and seeded, moritas); 15 garlic cloves; 2 teaspoons cumin seeds; 2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt (or more to taste); 1/3 cup olive oil (plus more for greasing the baking sheet); 1 3-4 pound chicken (cut up into 10 serving pieces (breasts cuthalf)); 1 cup chicken broth

Pollo Ajocomino

Recipe Yield

4 to 5 Servings

Cooking time

1 hour 15 minutes

Rate this recipe

4.23 from 9 votes

Ingredients

4 ancho chiles stemmed and seeded
2 dried chipotle chiles stemmed and seeded, moritas
15 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt or more to taste
1/3 cup olive oil plus more for greasing the baking sheet
1 3-4 pound chicken cut up into 10 serving pieces (breasts cuthalf)
1 cup chicken broth

To Prepare

Place the ancho and chipotle chiles in a saucepan, cover with water and set over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil. Simmer at medium heat for 10 minutes, until the chiles are completely rehydrated.
Place the rehydrated chiles into the jar of a blender, along with 1/2 cup of their simmering liquid, the garlic, cumin seeds, salt and olive oil. Puree until completely smooth. Scrape into a bowl and let it cool.
Place the chicken in a container and cover completely with the garlic and cumin marinade. You can marinate it covered in the refrigerator up to two days. But you may also roast it right away without marinating ahead of time.
If you marinated the chicken ahead of time, remove it from the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Generously grease a baking pan with oil. Place the chicken on the pan skin side down and sprinkle with a little salt. Put it in the oven and roast for 15 minutes. Carefully remove it from the oven, reduce the temperature to 375 degrees, flip over the chicken pieces and spoon any of the marinade on the bottom of the pan over the chicken pieces. Pour the chicken broth onto the bottom of the pan and return to the oven. Roast for 45 to 50 more minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear – and there are barely any juices when pierced with a knife.

Comments

87comments inGarlic and Cumin Rubbed Chicken

Belle Bradford

Mar 22

Pati, Thank you so much for this WOW of a recipe! We had this for dinner tonight. The sauce was just amazing, and I bet it would work well with pork or any type of game, as well. Thanks again!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Mar 31
  
  Thanks to you Belle, un abrazo!
  
Tommy Smith

Mar 03

I just love her recipes she is so good

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Mar 09
  
  You are very kind, thanks so much Tommy!
  
Brian in Santa Fe NM

Dec 30

Hi Pati,
Novice cook learning about Mexico and Mexican cooking through your show. My wife can only eat mild or just a bit spicy — i.e. one chile on the Thai scale. Consider adding some spice temperatures on your recipes.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jan 14
  
  Such a great idea Brian, thank you!
  
Joe Cappo

Apr 14

Hi Pati!!
I love Mediterranean style cooking, and my family prefers chicken thighs. Can I use an equal amount of chicken thighs for this recipe?
I love your show and your cookbooks. I have them all. I found your show on Amazon and have been binge watching it.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jun 15
  
  Of course Joe, go for chicken thighs! So happy to hear you have been tuning in and following, gracias!
  
Roslyn Zappone

Mar 31

Pati, I want to thank you for this chicken dish . The day I saw you make this you had me hooked ! LOL
Everyone I have served this to loves it and asks for the recipe. Your a pleasure to watch as you explain clearly the recipe & steps.
All the best to you & family ❤️

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jun 12
  
  Thanks so much Roslyn, so glad to hear everyone enjoyed this recipe, yay!
  
Terry Carrillo

Nov 06

Hi Pati!
I hope you and your family are doing terrific (your boys are Guapísimo, beautiful inside and out like mom & dad)!
You never cease to amaze me, this is one heck of a recipe! I have tried so many of your recipes and Every. Single. One is perfection, without error! You’re amazing Pati, I don’t recall one tv “personality” chef who can do what you have accomplished. I have so many of your recipes, and may I reiterate, every single one is outstandingly Delicious! I have stated this before in a previous comment, You have made me a True Mexican cook! What also amazes me, you take the time to address every single comment with so much amor and consideration! That in itself is astonishing to me….who does that!? Today’s Television “Personality” chefs don’t hold a candle to you (I had to mention that, because it’s truth).
(((Hugs))) to you Pati for ALL that you do for us!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Nov 09
  
  Terry! This is incredibly sweet of you, you have made my day! Muchos abrazos 😉
  
Maria porres. Desde Los Angeles

Oct 22

Delicioso siempre veo el programa de P.J.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Oct 28
  
  Mil gracias Maria, te mando un abrazo!
  
Anzley

Oct 10

This was absolutely amazing. I watch Pati’s Mexican Table almost every Saturday on my local public tv station. I watched Pati cook this a few weeks ago, and I knew I had to give it a go. It was so delicious. I served it with Pati’s green rice and some avocado salsa from my local Mercado. Will definitely make again.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Oct 24
  
  Yum, great menu Anzley!
  
Toby

Sep 10

Yummy. Besides the house smelling amazing, this was a fantastic dish. I used thighs and breast tenderloins, so the cooking time was only about 30’ish minutes after I turned oven down to 375. Super tender too. The left over sauce is so good i froze into ice cubes to use for other misc.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Sep 11
  
  Yay Toby, so glad this recipe was such a success. Un abrazo!
  
Rayme M Kuniyuki

Sep 07

Muy muy rico Senora Pati! I roasted a whole chicken (Argentine frog style) and ot was okay ne of the tastiest roast chickens I’ve had. Muy Gracias!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Sep 11
  
  So very glad you liked it Rayme, yay!
  
Nathaly

Sep 02

I made this recipe with chicken drumsticks and served it with “My favorite green rice” and raita, and end the meal with the Tres Leches Strawberry (and Raspberry) Mexican Gelatin. OMG, it was so flavorful and not too spicy. Thanks Pati for sharing such delicious recipes!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Sep 05
  
  Yum, what a great menu Nathaly, bravo!
  
Petey B

Jun 16

So tasty! I used all chicken thighs and tossed new potatoes in the left over marinade and roasted them at the same time. I’m already looking forward to the leftovers!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jun 22
  
  Mmm, yum! I think potatoes always make everything better, great idea Petey!
  
Eleanor

Mar 01

I cant eat any hot chile at all. I was born that way.. What other chiles can i use to make this
recipe with chicken Garlic and cumin??

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Mar 02
  
  Anchos are sweet so you will be fine with those, leave the chipotles out and maybe use some Guajillos which are not spicy, just remember to remove all seeds and veins. Enjoy Eleanor!
  
Eleanor Aguirre

Jan 29

Looks delicious. I have to make it!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Feb 08
  
  Hope you’ll enjoy it Eleanor 😉
  
Anonymous

Dec 02

Hola Pati!
This chicken smells divine and tastes even better. Not terribly spicy, but so flavorful. Love it!
Terri

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Dec 28
  
  Happy you liked it, thank you!
  
Ámbar

Oct 15

Hola Pati:
Siempre que hago está receta, a mi familia le encanta. Es un honor que usted comparta estas recetas, en un canal Americano. La gente debería de saber más de nuestra gastronomía mexicana.
Súper delicioso. Para chuparse los dedos.
Cordialmente,
Ámbar

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Oct 29
  
  Mil gracias Ambar, que linda! Que alegria que a tu familia le guste tantp este pollo. Un abrazo para todos 😉
  
Anonymous

Sep 28

Wow! I made this tonight and absolutely loved it. Served with rice poblano and corn recipe, came out great!

I used the back and giblets with an onion and the leftover water from soaking the chiles with an onion and salt to make the broth for both recipes. Idk if it’s recommended to use broth with some dried Chile flavor in with the rice corn and fresh chilies, but to me it kinda tied them together. Will definitely make this combo again.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Oct 05
  
  So glad you liked this recipe, and thanks so much for sharing your recipe, awesome 🙂
  
Tricia Boucha

Nov 09

I made this with a twist. I used breasts,cubed, and marinated it in olive oil and the ground spices and dried peppers. ( Threw in a pinch of Mexican oregano too). Then, added the broth and sauteed. Served it over Jasmine rice with fresh bell pepper,scallions,pickled white onion and a fried gooey egg on top. It was heaven on a plate. Complex flavor.
Your show is such a treat! Bless you from Northern Michigan.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Nov 11
  
  That sounds yummy Tricia, great job! Greetings back to Michigan 😉
  
Nancy Krosse

Sep 02

Hi Pati! Both my husband & I love watching your show and following your recipes. I adore cumin so I’m eager to try dish. I have dried guajillo peppers and ancho chilis in my pantry. Will the guajillos work or are they too mild? During the pandemic I prefer to use what I have at home.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Sep 05
  
  Hey Nancy, go ahead and use the Guajillos; those are much milder than chipotles but still super full of flavor. Enjoy!
  
Sean

May 26

can i use fresh chilies if store does not have dried chilies?

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 28
  
  Hi Sean, the Anchos and the Moritas are dried by definition, so no way to go fresh, but if you do not find them then yes, go with canned chipotles in adobo, those are pretty yummy as well 😉
  
omal maitra

May 25

this was a wonderful recipe and did’t take long to make

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 28
  
  Yay Omal! Glad you liked it 😉
  
Dana

May 06

Hola Pati! This recipe was such a delight. I cannot wait until I can make it for friends and family! Thank you for your wonderful contributions!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 11
  
  Thanks so much Dana!
  
Holly Reeves

May 05

I love this recipe, so easy to follow and the results outstanding! The chicken is moist and flavorful, we have made this several times to rave reviews! Thank you Pati!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 11
  
  Thanks to you Holly, glad to know you guys enjoyed it 😉
  
Kay Pea

Jan 10

I have been wanting to try this recipe for a while, and I think it’s finally time to take the plunge!
I have a question about the Ancho chiles. Are these supposed to be fresh? I am only able to find dried ones in the store.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jan 12
  
  Yes, they’re a dried chile. Here’s some more info: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/ancho_chile/ Enjoy, Kay!
  
  1. Kay Pea
    
    Jan 13
    
    Great! Thanks for replying! I can’t wait to try this.
    
Bob Kilbert

Jan 05

This was an easy and great recipe. I prepared this using a whole chicken. The sauce was thick like a paste and it stuck nicely to the chicken. As the the chicken roasted, the sauce did blacken in areas but it actually helped keep the chicken super moist. The flavor of the sauce is very strong. Keep in mind, there is a lot of garlic and cumin. My Mexican wife and mother-in-law both loved the flavor of the sauce. I will definitely be making this again.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jan 06
  
  So happy to hear this, Bob!
  
Dani

Nov 16

Patti, love your show and I learned how to make tortillas from you! Do you think I can use this marinade for turkey breast in netting? Want to make more exciting turkey for Thanksgiving.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Nov 21
  
  Go for it, Dani!
  
Doug

Sep 29

Pati, I just wandered across your show this weekend and I can’t switch the channel. I have never really tried Mexican food, I think I must have ad a bad experience when young. You have made me a fool, and have converted me in one day. I will be trying to make some of those savory looking dishes. Thank you so much, and I will continue to watch.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Sep 30
  
  I’m so glad you have been converted, Doug!
  
Iliana Velázquez

Aug 16

Esta receta es deliciosa, me encantan todas tus recetas por lo fácil de hacer y la forma tan sencilla que explicas.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Aug 17
  
  Gracias, Iliana!
  
Lillian

Jul 28

Patti like all of your other fans I love your show. Not just the recipes but also the education and insight about Mexico. I have learned so much about the city, culture, history, and amazing dishes. Thank you. Question, has anyone tried this recipe with meat other than chicken? I love the rub on chicken but I’m going to try it on a pork roast. Thoughts?

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Aug 07
  
  Go for it, Lillian!
  
Tanya Fitts

Jun 23

I cooked this tonight and it was so good! A trip to my local Hispanic market for great ingredients was well worth it. It will definitely be in our dinner rotation!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jul 01
  
  That’s awesome, Tanya!
  
Lisa Jones

Jun 20

Made this recipe tonight & it was great.

Thank you Patti

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jun 23
  
  👍
  
Jeremy Edwards

May 21

Winner, winner, I just had a great chicken dinner! Thank you.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 22
  
  😄
  
Ed SMITH, DuBois, PA.

May 21

I LOVE your TV show and all the food/recipes you cook and make available for us on your web site. I have not yet made this recipe. I was born and raised in the United States (central Pennsylvania). I do not read or speak Spanish, therefore I am not able to understand some of the ingredients. I’m gonna look for them in our local supermarket. It would be very helpful for those of us who speak only English. It would also be VERY HELPFUL if you could teach us a word or two of Spanish on each of your TV shows. That would be a great service to Mexican/American relations as well. Thank you very much for all you do for your family and all the rest of us.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 23
  
  Thank you for tuning in, Ed! The names of the chiles keep their Spanish names even in English. If you go to the market, you will find the chiles labeled as chipotles or ancho chiles. And I have lots of information about Mexican ingredients here: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/category/ingredients/ Enjoy the chicken!
  
Pat in NOLA

May 19

Is is possible to make this with skinless chicken?

And by the way, I made your Caramelized Pasilla Brisket for Passover 2018 and it was a big hit!!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 22
  
  You can make it with skinless chicken too, Pat. And I’m so glad you enjoyed the brisket.
  
Robert Martinez

May 13

I love this recipe! Thank you pati!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 14
  
  Thank YOU Robert.
  
Lydiana

Mar 18

Delicious! This is the first of your recipes that I have followed. My Mexican mamá fell in love with the dish. I am sure to try more recipes en el futuro.
¡Gracias Pati!
Lydiana

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Mar 19
  
  Mil gracias, Lydiana!
  
Jim

Jan 23

Pati,

Are the moritas in addition to, or in place of, the dried chipoles? I’m thinking it doesn’t matter, but want to get a second opinion before I begin the pollo ajocomino.

A long, long time ago, I attended a wedding in Tijuana where I tasted homemade mole for the first time. I asked how it was made and the maker just smiled and told me there were too many ingredients and it was too difficult to explain. She was undoubtedly right. Thanks for helping keeping your recipes simple for me.

Thanks, too, for helping me cook through the winter.

1. Pati
  
  Feb 07
  
  Oh thank you Jim! You can use either type of dried chipotle peppers. Enjoy!
  
Martha Z De Garcia

Jan 08

Pati, I’m sooo glad that I have 2 of your cookbooks, but I was disappointed that many of your recipes from your shows are not in them. Do you have other cookbooks? I have “Mexican Today and also Pati’s Mexican Table” Sincerely Martha Z De Garcia

1. Pati
  
  Jan 09
  
  I’m working on a new cookbook now, Martha…but you can find all of the recipes from my show on my site here: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/show/
  
Travis

Dec 29

As a cord cutter, I am so glad your latest season is now on Amazon! Pati! I just want to put this out there to you. If you ever want to use Phoenix as a part of a future season, I can find you lodging. It will be a great launching pad to drive to one of my favorite spots on the planet, Puerto Peñasco. You can see the Baja at sunset. Dolphins throughout the day. The friendliest people! Pollo places that you remember as a kid. #temptingPati

1. Pati
  
  Dec 31
  
  Oh that sounds so tempting, Travis. And enjoy the episodes on Amazon!
  
SDPeg

Nov 28

Made this using 10 thighs instead of the whole chicken….it worked out well. I don’t care for garlic but hubby does, made this as a treat for him, but to my surprise, the garlic was NOT overpowering like I thought it would be. It ended up with LOTS of juice, didn’t need to add any after the first round. Will make this again for sure.

1. Pati
  
  Nov 29
  
  So glad you and the hubby enjoyed the chicken.
  
Layla

Nov 10

Hello Pati.
I love your show and watch it everyday. I am going to prepare this dish with the salad from the same episode for my family. Would you mind telling me where I can find the ancho chili, chipotle chili, and Chile’s de arbol?
I live near Boston and I have tried our local grocery stores and they don’t carry them. Hope to hear from you. Thank you.

1. Pati
  
  Nov 13
  
  If your local grocery store doesn’t have them…you can try your local Latin or International market, Layla. Or you can also find them on line. Enjoy the chicken!
  
Tony Paynter

Nov 05

Yummy!!!

1. Pati
  
  Nov 06
  
  Gracias Tony!
  
susie thompson

Oct 09

Do you have a video of the “how to cut up chicken” like your mom showed you. Looked easy but….

1. Pati
  
  Oct 23
  
  I don’t have this season’s videos up yet….but they will be available in December on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B072185NT3

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