El Pollo Loco Cilantro Recipe

Creamy cilantro flavor often kicks off lively debates. Some folks love it, but others just can’t stand it.

Since you’re here, there’s no doubt you are a big fan.

Forget all that salty, watery, overly spicy, bland cilantro dressings in your next-door restaurant.

The unique salad dressing and dip sauce reserved for take-outs or dine-ins only at El Pollo Loco is about to take over your plate.

It’s appetizing, nourishing, and creamy, you can never have enough of it.

It’s one of the easiest recipes to make: perfect for those days you need an easy to fix yet satisfying meal.

It’s going to be your new favorite, you will be addicted.

Cilantro, the star of the recipe, gives it that tangy, citrus taste while the green onion in it gives it an irresistible, spicy flavor.

Freshly squeezed lime is a must-add for that fresh citric taste.

Sugar or honey brings a balance between tanginess and tartness.

While other people prefer adding Greek yogurt or sour milk in their dressing, I prefer adding whole milk because of its high nutritional content and natural taste.

Why It’s a Must-try

●It uses fresh ingredients- From fresh onions, garlic, lime, and cilantro, the El Pollo Loco creamy cilantro uses only fresh ingredients because good food is supposed to maintain its natural taste and flavor.

Fresh ingredients are a mood booster that has high nutritional value since they retain a lot of nutrients.

These ingredients are affordable and easily accessible, you can get them from your kitchen garden or source from your local market.

●It fits into any diet. I know the frustration that comes with being on a strict diet and seeing delectable foods you cannot enjoy.

Worry not, this recipe is for everyone. It is vegan friendly and gluten-free.

●It is easy to fix- You only need to spare 5 minutes a day each week and you have yourself a weekly supply of mouth-watering magic.

The process is easy, you won’t need to slave for hours.

●It is versatile- It doubles up as a salad dressing and a dipping sauce for various dishes.

Some people love it as a marinade for their protein.

As a marinade, it creates a crunchy, lime, and natural taste.

It’s so versatile, you’ll want to put it in everything.

You can have it any time of day with any food.

Ingredients for El Pollo Loco Creamy Cilantro

●½ cup of whole milk

●1 cup of mayonnaise

●¼ teaspoon of black pepper

●¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper

●¼ teaspoon of ground cumin powder

●Finely chopped green onion

●6 cloves of minced garlic

●2 teaspoons of lime juice

●1 teaspoon of white vinegar

●½ teaspoon of salt

●2 teaspoons of sugar/ honey

●Freshly chopped cilantro (1 bunch) – Include both the leaves and the stem because they are still tender and fresh.

Dry well after washing because the leftover water will dilute the dressing, making it lose its thickness and flavor.

Instructions

●Combine all ingredients in a big bowl and whisk.

●Alternatively, you can blend the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth consistency.

●Put in a jar, tightly cover and put it in a refrigerator to chill.

This homemade El Pollo Loco creamy cilantro won’t last longer than a week because it has no preservatives in it.

Its shelf life depends on the freshness of the ingredients you use.

If you use the freshest ingredients, it can last from 6 to 10 days chilled in the refrigerator.

If the ingredients used are not as fresh, a day or two in the refrigerator is enough.

Ensure the storage jar is tightly covered to prevent air from getting in.

Any trapped air will make the dressing discolored and spoil sooner than its expected shelf life.

How to Use this Creamy Cilantro

1. On your favorite salads.

You know those salads that are filled with fruits and vegetables?

If you have them with this El Pollo Loco creamy cilantro dressing, especially in the summer, you will keep asking for more.

Add them to your favorite Panera bread Sierra turkey sandwich next time you have a bite.

2. As a marinade

●Pour your dressing in a large bowl

●Put your chicken, fish, pork or shrimp into the bowl with the dressing.

●Cover the bowl tightly and put it in the refrigerator for about an hour to allow your protein to soak in the marinade before you bake or deep-fry.

3. As a dipping sauce- It goes well with naan bread, grilled chicken, panera bread sierra turkey sandwich, baked potatoes, and any Mexican delicacy.

Health Benefits

●It contains cilantro which is a dominant source of minerals such as calcium, which aids in bone formation, and iron, which facilitates the production of red blood cells.

It also contains potassium, which the body needs for the normal functioning of all cells.

●The lime and cilantro in this dressing are rich in antioxidants which have immunity-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects.

This study confirms that cilantro helps in fighting Salmonella, which affects the intestinal tract.

●Incorporating lime juice into your dressing helps in improving the skin texture.

It comprises Vitamin C, which makes collagen, a protein that brightens and firms the skin.

●Onion and garlic have been linked with anti-cancer benefits.

A research confirmed decreased cancer risk in people who consume these two ingredients combined.

They are a substantial source of fiber, which aids in bowel movement and lowers cholesterol levels.

Conclusion

When your panera bread sierra turkey sandwich dressed with El Pollo Loco’s creamy cilantro craving hits, you won’t need to step out anymore.

You won’t need to buy that preservative-added creamy cilantro at that store next door.

You now know you can spare 5 minutes in a week to cater to that craving.

Invite your friends and family over and let them have El Pollo Loco’s finest right at your table.

If you are a chef, be sure to include this in your next catering event’s meal or restaurant menu.

You will be your city’s favorite chef and your pockets will never run dry.

Pollo guisado can be the ideal solution if you want to eat something special but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen.

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