If you’re looking for a roast chicken that bursts with bold, vibrant flavors and feels like a warm hug on your dinner plate, you’re going to love this Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken Recipe. I absolutely love how creamy adobo made with mayonnaise and fresh peppers coats the chicken, locking in moisture while adding zesty, tangy goodness. Stick around because I’m about to share everything you need to nail this juicy, flavorful roast chicken that’ll quickly become your new favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unmatched Juiciness: The mayo-based adobo locks in moisture, making the chicken incredibly tender and juicy every time.
- Vibrant Latin Flavors: Fresh peppers, cilantro, and lime create a lively flavor profile that tastes like a fiesta in your mouth.
- Simple Prep, Impressive Results: It looks fancy but requires just a handful of fresh ingredients and easy steps.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether a weeknight dinner or a weekend feast, this chicken delivers big on flavor and warmth.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken Recipe feel simple but pack a punch. The magic is in the combo of creamy Hellmann’s mayonnaise with fresh, punchy vegetables and herbs. When picking your peppers and cilantro, opt for fresh and vibrant produce to really elevate this dish.
- Whole Chicken: Choose a 4-5 lb chicken that’s clean and ready to roast, ideally organic or free-range for best flavor.
- Lime: Both juice and halves add great acidity and brightness to balance the richness of mayo.
- Red Peppers: Use fresh red peppers for a subtle sweetness and vibrant color.
- Onions: Medium onions add a base layer of savory sweetness and meld beautifully when roasted.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is essential here; it lifts the dish with its fragrant, citrusy notes.
- Salt: Don’t skimp – good seasoning inside and out is key!
- Hellmann’s Mayonnaise: The star of the adobo sauce, it emulsifies the flavors and keeps the chicken moist.
- Garlic Cloves: Four cloves for that needed garlicky depth.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste, for balanced seasoning in your adobo and chicken.
Variations
One of the coolest things about this Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken Recipe is how adaptable it is — I love tweaking it depending on what I have around or dietary preferences. Feel free to make it your own!
- Add Heat: I once substituted some red peppers for a jalapeño and my family went wild over the extra kick.
- Dairy-Free Version: Swap mayo with a dairy-free alternative or blend silken tofu with a bit of lime for creaminess.
- Herb Swap: If cilantro’s not your thing, fresh parsley or even basil work surprisingly well.
- Marinate Longer: For deeper flavor, I sometimes let the chicken marinate in the adobo overnight—totally worth the wait.
How to Make Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up the Creamy Adobo Sauce
Start by blending the Hellmann’s mayonnaise with half a red pepper, half an onion, juice of one lime, garlic cloves, cilantro, salt, and pepper until smooth. This velvety adobo is what transforms the chicken from ordinary to spectacular. Set aside one cup of this sauce—we’ll use it later to finish the chicken with an extra flavor boost.
Step 2: Prep the Chicken Like a Pro
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Pat your whole chicken dry inside and out with paper towels (this helps the skin get crispy!). Tie the legs together with kitchen string for even cooking, then generously salt the cavity and outer surface — don’t be shy here. Chunk up the red peppers and onions, and stuff the cavity with those pieces plus lime halves and cilantro. This infuses the chicken from the inside out.
Step 3: Roast and Glaze for Perfection
Scatter the remaining chunked peppers and onions in the roasting pan, then nestle your prepared chicken on top. Slather the adobo sauce all over the chicken generously. Pop it in the oven and roast for about 50-55 minutes. Pro tip: if the chicken browns too fast, loosely cover it with foil to avoid burning. After that initial roast, spoon the reserved cup of adobo onto the chicken and roast for another 15 minutes, or until juices run clear and the internal temperature hits 165°F. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing to lock in all those juices.
Pro Tips for Making Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken Recipe
- Dry Chicken Skin: Patting the chicken completely dry is key to crispy skin, especially when roasting with a mayo coating.
- Even Roasting: Tying the legs helps the chicken cook evenly and keeps it looking pretty for your dinner table.
- Reserve Sauce For Final Glaze: Adding the extra adobo near the end keeps the flavors bright and avoids burning the mayo during the longer roast.
- Rest Before Carving: Let the chicken sit for 15 minutes before carving — it makes all the difference for juicy slices instead of dry meat.
How to Serve Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling some extra fresh cilantro and a few lime wedges over the chicken just before serving. It adds a fresh, zesty pop and looks so pretty. Sometimes I’ll add a dash of smoked paprika too for a little color and warmth.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs beautifully with simple sides like cilantro-lime rice, black beans, or a crisp avocado salad. Sometimes I roast root veggies alongside to soak up those adobo-pan juices too—can’t recommend that enough!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I carve the chicken into thick slices and create a platter with colorful grilled vegetables around it. Adding bright, edible flowers or microgreens turns it into a real showstopper that gets everyone’s attention.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers of this Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken Recipe, I like to store them in an airtight container in the fridge, making sure to separate the chicken from the extra sauce to avoid sogginess. It stays moist for up to 3 days.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftovers wrapped tightly in foil and placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and the chicken holds up surprisingly well.
Reheating
To reheat without drying out, I pop the chicken in the oven at 325°F covered loosely with foil until warmed through, and then uncover for the last few minutes to crisp the skin back up. Microwave works in a pinch but tends to toughen the meat.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of mayonnaise for this recipe?
You can swap Hellmann’s with any good quality mayo, but I’ve found that the classic Hellmann’s flavor balances perfectly with the fresh ingredients and doesn’t overpower the chicken. Avoid flavored mayonnaise varieties, though, as they can interfere with the fresh taste.
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Is it necessary to tie the chicken legs?
Tying the legs helps the chicken cook evenly and hold its shape, making for neater slices and more consistent cooking. If you don’t have kitchen twine, you can also tuck the legs under the bird, but using string gives the best results.
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Can I make the Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! I often marinate the chicken overnight in the adobo sauce for even deeper flavor. Just cover and store it in the fridge, then roast as usual when you’re ready. It fits perfectly into a weekend meal prep routine.
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What if I don’t have fresh cilantro?
If fresh cilantro isn’t available or you’re not a fan, fresh parsley or a squeeze of extra lime juice can add a nice lift instead. The flavor profile will shift slightly but still be tasty and refreshing.
Final Thoughts
This Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken Recipe has become my go-to when I want something impressive yet fuss-free, with that signature creamy tang and fresh zest that feels like a little escape to Latin America on a plate. I really hope you give it a try—you’ll find it’s as fun to make as it is delicious to eat. Trust me, once your family tastes this, they’ll be asking for it again and again!
Print
Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Latin
Description
This Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken recipe combines a creamy, tangy adobo marinade made with Hellmann’s mayonnaise, lime, garlic, and fresh herbs, resulting in a tender, flavorful chicken roasted to juicy perfection. The marinade infuses the chicken with vibrant Latin-inspired flavors while maintaining a moist and crispy skin through roasting.
Ingredients
For Chicken
- 1 whole chicken (4-5 lb), cleaned
- 1 lime
- 3 red peppers
- 2 medium onions
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- Salt, to taste
For Adobo
- 1 cup Hellmann’s Mayonnaise
- 1/2 red pepper
- 1/2 onion
- Juice of 1 lime
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Adobo: Place 1/2 red pepper, 1/2 onion, juice of 1 lime, 4 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup cilantro, 1 cup Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, salt, and pepper into a blender. Blend until smooth to create the adobo marinade. Reserve 1 cup of the adobo aside for later use.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken dry thoroughly with paper towels, including the cavity, to ensure crispy skin. Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen string for even cooking. Season generously with salt inside and out.
- Prepare Vegetables and Stuff Chicken: Chop the 3 red peppers and 2 medium onions into large pieces. Fill the chicken cavity with halves of the lime, some peppers, onions, and cilantro to infuse flavor from the inside.
- Arrange for Roasting: In a roasting pan, scatter the remaining chopped peppers and onions. Place the stuffed chicken on top of the vegetables. Completely cover the chicken with the prepared adobo marinade.
- Roast the Chicken: Bake the chicken for 50-55 minutes at 375°F. If the skin browns too quickly, loosely cover the chicken with foil to prevent burning.
- Apply Reserved Adobo and Continue Roasting: After initial roasting, smear the reserved 1 cup of adobo over the chicken and continue roasting for an additional 15 minutes. The chicken is done when juices run clear or an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast or thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist, tender meat. Serve and enjoy your flavorful Latin Mayo Roasted Chicken!
Notes
- You can apply the adobo marinade on the chicken and let it marinate for 1 to 3 hours or overnight in the refrigerator before roasting to enhance flavor.
- Cover the chicken with foil if it starts browning too fast during roasting to prevent burning.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked through to 165°F.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
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