Anything pre-marinated at Trader Joe's can be quite the hit or miss. I've tried some things that are wonderful and others that I hated.
Taste and review
If I had to pick on chicken item that I buy time and time again at Trader Joe's it would hands down be the Chicken Shawarma. Now, my husband did not love the spice blend on that. Nor does he really like chicken, especially dark meat. That's ok by me too.
More for me.
If I had to pick a white meat chicken favorite item, it would be this. And yes, I've tried quite a few of Trader Joe's pre-marinated chicken items over the years.
This pollo asado is good.
This little package had two cutlets of well-marinated chicken breast. The marinade is acidic and has a very mild heat to it.
The most important issue with chicken breast is whether or not it is dry. Without having much fat there is a danger of the dreaded dry chicken. That was not the case here.
The cutlets were about evenly sized and almost evenly shaped. If you are truly in a hurry, then pre-slice the chicken before throwing it into the pan. You'll cut down on the cooking time and ensure that it is cooked evenly.
What's great about this is the ways you can serve it. This would make a great taco/fajita night dinner. I enjoyed mine over a salad with all the taco fixings thrown into it.
Overall
For $6.04 for my package containing 2 cutlets, it wasn't a bad deal. There is a slight premium for things ready-made, but if you need a break from regular old chopped meat, then consider this item.
If you do end up with leftovers, it's not quite the same the next day. This is best fresh out of the pan, so plan accordingly.
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Pollo Asado Autentico again. It was really well done.
Product photos
The package of Trader Joe's Pollo Asado Autentico:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
How to prepare:
For the sake of photography, I left one cutlet whole on a salad plate. The other I sliced into a salad with Butter Lettuce, Reduced Guilt Guacamole, Mini Heirloom Tomatoes, and a side of 3 Cheese Blend and the no longer on shelves organic spicy taco sauce.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Pollo Asado Autentico
Product Name: Trader Joe's Pollo Asado Autentico
Product Description: Trader Joe's Pollo Asado Autentico is a long standing favorite in the refrigerated aisle.
Price: $3.99 per pound
Summary
Trader Joe's Pollo Asado Autentico has been on store shelves for quite some time.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Trader Joe's Pollo Asado Autentico is a long-standing favorite in the refrigerated aisle.
Cons
- It is best on the day you prepare it.
- The leftovers aren't as outstanding the next day.
This chicken sounds yummy. Again I am not sure why I don't go by the meat and poultry department much seeing that I am definitely a carnivore. I worked briefly with a guy a few years ago that was going to Chef School and working part time. He said one of the ways to make a chicken breast juicier without brining it is to inject it with a little melted butter and or olive oil and a bunch of spots all over the chicken breast . He also discouraged frying it in a pan and recommended putting it in a foil packet and either baking it or put it in an air fryer so it would steam a little bit and not lose so much moisture. I did try both the injection along with the air fryer in a foil packet and the chicken breast came out really juicy. You also want to make sure that once it reaches the proper safe temp you don't continue cooking it.
I'm sorry, the pollo asado from Trader Joe's is overpriced, dry and flavorless. Will not buy again. The marinated pollo from Northgate market is tons better!
Hey Jeff! Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts. Wish I could get to Northgate market from where I am, but I appreciate the comparison. Thanks again for taking the time out of your day to stop by!
I just made it tonight for my husband’s family, and half of us wouldn’t eat it because it was so fatty and tough. I was sooo embarrassed I served it. Sorry TJs I still lobe you.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! Sorry yours wasn't good. You can always ask for a refund.
I was given this and I don’t have a grill. How can I cook it in the oven or should I just try something on my own.
Oven would work with this. Cook it to temperature.
loved the pollo asado? do you know if they still sell it?
Hi Julia! I was at Trader Joe's in Larchmont yesterday and I saw it in the refrigerated case.