Home » Recipes » El Pollo Loco Cilantro Dressing Copycat Recipe
Copycat Recipes | Recipes
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This El Pollo Loco cilantro dressing recipe makes the most delicious dressing that goes great on taco bowls, salads, burritos, and so much more. With just a few simple and fresh ingredients, you’ll have the perfect dressing that is the right balance of creamy, tangy, and savory. Your taste buds will love it!
RELATED: Get aFREE trial of Amazon Primeto get access to free grocery deliveries!
Table of Contents hide
1 What is El Pollo Loco?
2 What You Need to Make El Pollo Loco Cilantro Dressing
3 How to Make El Pollo Loco Cilantro Dressing
4 Cilantro Dressing Substitutions
5 What to Serve Cilantro Dressing With
6 Looking for More Easy Dips and Sauce Recipes?
7 El Pollo Loco Cilantro Dressing Copycat Recipe
What is El Pollo Loco?
El Pollo Loco is a chain of quick-service restaurants specializing in Mexican-inspired cuisine. The company’s name means “crazy chicken” in Spanish, and the chain is known for its citrus-marinated, grilled chicken.
One of the most popular items on their menu is the El Pollo Loco Cilantro Dressing – which is exactly what this copycat recipe recreates!
What You Need to Make El Pollo Loco Cilantro Dressing
- 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1jalapeno, seeds removed and chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
- whole milk, to thin (optional)
How to Make El Pollo Loco Cilantro Dressing
- Into a high-speed blender or food processor, add the cilantro, 1 cup of mayonnaise, cumin, lime juice, garlic, sugar, onion powder, jalapeno, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth. You can add milk (1 Tablespoon at a time) if you want to thin out the dressing. Blend until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Pour the dressinginto an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. The flavors will actually improve overnight. ENJOY!
Cilantro Dressing Substitutions
This healthy creamy cilantro dressing is a great way to add flavor to salads or wraps. However, if you’d like to change it up, here are substitution ideas that can help you create other flavor profiles.
Whichever substitutions you choose, be sure to taste your dressing as you go to make sure it has the right level of flavor for you.
- Substitute the mayonnaise with greek yogurt or sour cream for a different take
- Add green onions to the mix
- Try using parsley, dill, or even basil in place of the cilantro.
- Substitute the jalapeno for cayenne pepper
What to Serve Cilantro Dressing With
This El Pollo Loco cilantro dressing recipe is so versatile. Here are some of our favorite serving ideas.
- Use this dressing as a traditional salad dressing on top of a chopped romaine lettuce blend.
- It’s wonderful as a satisfying side salad or main course salad
- Use the dressing on taco bowls, topped with Baja shrimp and garnished with cotija cheese.
- Make an easy meal by making homemade tacos with chicken breast, drizzled with this el pollo loco creamy cilantro dressing
- Use in veggie wraps with a side of tortilla chips or potato chips
Looking for More Easy Dips and Sauce Recipes?
- The BEST Pineapple BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Extra Cheesy Hot Nacho Dip (GF, V)
- 7-Ingredient Simple Marinara Dip (GF, DF, VG)
- Sambal Aioli (Hot Chili Aioli) Dipping Sauce
- How To Make Spicy Mayo Sauce (5 Ingredients!)
- 10-minute Sambal Oelek Red Chili Paste (Better Than Walmart!)
- Creamy Walnut Parsley Pesto Sauce (No Pine Nuts!)
- The Ultimate Taco Truck Green Sauce Recipe
- Copycat Chuy’s Boom Boom Sauce Recipe
- The Best Soyaki Sauce Recipe
- How to Make Red Chile Sauce from Powder
- The Best Remoulade Sauce Recipe for Crab Cakes
- Game Day Favorite Herbed Garlic Dip (GF, DF, VG)
- Holiday Favorite Creamy Cranberry Dip (GF, DF, VG)
- Japanese Chuno Sauce Recipe
Subscribe to DWELLand get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox! In addition, follow along onPinterest,FacebookandInstagramto get all the latest updates!
If you make thisCopycat El Pollo Loco Cilantro Dressing recipe, please drop a comment below! I’d LOVE to know what you think! Or take a picture and share it on Instagram by tagging@dwellbymichelleso I can repost it on my stories!
Copyright © All Rights Reserved. Content is written by Michelle Schmidt of dwellbymichelle.com.
El Pollo Loco Cilantro Dressing Copycat Recipe
This El Pollo Loco cilantro dressing recipe makes the most delicious dressing that goes great on taco bowls, salads, burritos, and so much more. With just a few simple and fresh ingredients, you'll have the perfect dressing that is the right balance of creamy, tangy, and savory. Your taste buds will love it!
4.67 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Dips, Sauce
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 8 servings
Calories 78 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 bunch cilantro , chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2½ tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 jalapeno , seeds removed and chopped
- salt and pepper , to taste
- whole milk , to thin (optional)
Instructions
Into a high-speed blender or food processor, add the cilantro, 1 cup of mayonnaise, cumin, lime juice, garlic, sugar, onion powder, jalapeno, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth. You can add milk (1 Tablespoon at a time) if you want to thin out the dressing. Blend until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Pour the dressinginto an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. The flavors will actually improve overnight. ENJOY!
Nutrition
Calories: 78kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
