Chicken Rico

Excellent Peruvian pollo a la brasa. The sauces make the meal. The green is hot and the yellow is savory. I usually get the yucca and plantains on the side. It makes enough for several meals. Just go there. Just do it.

So I was sleeping on Chicken Rico. I went to the Inner Harbor/​Power Plant Live location first and it was just ok. Like I’ve stated in other reviews my litmus test for pollo a la brasa is half chicken, maduros, and black beans. This location has the ranchero style beans, but other than that I ordered the usual. There was a bit of a wait because they had just served up the last piece of chicken when my coworkers and I walked in. As the line grew closer and closer to the door, they finally pulled out a spit of fresh chicken.
That chicken was so succulent and seasoned perfectly. This was the experience I waiting for based on everyone’s rave reviews; some of the best chicken I’ve eaten! The original is always better! I feel that way about Miss Shirley’s too. Anyway, I took home leftovers and didn’t eat them until 4 days later and it was still just as delicious as the day they made it. Finally got a chance to see what all the hype was about and I was not disappointed! Definitely giving my current front-​runner, El Gran Pollo, a run for their money.

Was skeptical, pulled up on Eastern Avenue and parked easily. Walked inside, place was hopping with a dozen or so people eating at various tables, and stepped up to the counter. The smell in the place was heavenly, everything was neat and clean but busy behind the counter. Placed my order and the gentleman CHOPS a chicken in half and then into quarters, I choose the plantains, fried rice and veggies and stepped to the cashier. I was walking out the door within minutes of walking in if that long. I drove a very torturous ride home smelling dinner. Absolutely loved it. I can’t say enough about the meal and I’m definitely going back time and again.

Chicken is great — good if you are looking for a quick bite to eat. Had the half chicken with mixed veggies — good stuff

Best Peruvian chicken in Baltimore.
I had been kinda bummed that the Peruvian chicken place around the corner from my house in Upper Fell’s had closed down. It meant no more delicious, late night, lazy take-​out Peruvian chicken dinners. BUT now that I’ve discovered Chicken Rico’s that hole is yet again filled. Juicy charcoal-​grilled chicken smothered in yellow and green sauce. Crispy yet soft yuca fries. Giant juicy plaintains. I love you. You are my comfort food.

This place is great — super authentic, super delicious. The only reason I probably give it 4 instead of 5 is because I’m comparing it to El Pollo Rico in Arlington which is just ridiculously hard to beat. This place comes pretty damn close. Really well roasted, succulent chicken (I always go for dark meat), tasty fries (some of the best!), plantains were tasty but a bit too oily, and I honestly just got salad as my 3^rd side bc I wanted to add balance to the meal but it didn’t get devoured like everything else did: P The yellow and green sauce was the bomb, I wish they’d give more so I didn’t have to ration myself along the way. Had the alfajor at the end, it was okay, not the tastiest but I also feel like it’s one of those authentic Latin American desserts that would remind you of home if you grew up on them but I didn’t. It was fun to try but I was glad I shared one. Also I don’t drink soda but with Peruvian chicken, Inca Kola is a must!

This place is similar to a place we love near upper Marlboro. Chicken is succulent and perfectly cooked. Great side options that are fresh and yummy. The price is perfect for individual meals and amazing for family meals. They also deliver and have great hours every day. This place is worth your time. Park in the garage and you usually won’t have to pay for parking because the line goes so quick. Get extra of the green sauce, it is excellent.

We came here once because of the high ratings, and maybe I’m rounding down a star because I had high hopes for Chicken Rico, but it was just pretty good. Pollo a la brasa is inherently great, and I’ve been to a dozen different places that serve it, so they get graded on a curve. This one was unremarkable, not worth the trip from Hamilton-​Lauraville. I didn’t think it was any better than El Gran Pollo, in Towson, which, again, is pretty decent. I believe the sides weren’t quite as good here. Nothing wrong with Chicken Rico, just nothing to write home about.

I’ve been here and ordered from this place many times. Very good food always. Portions are good sized and worth the money. Would definitely recommend the plantains.
The textures of the sauce mixes can be somewhat odd at times. Sometimes, it seems like the sauces could have gone through the mixer a few more minutes. At times, it’s a bit clunky. However, it does remind me of Sardi’s Peruvian chicken and it’s just as good. All in all, very good.

Affordable, delicious Peruvian chicken!!! And the sides sides are great too. Try the yucca– they’re like an upgrade to a potato wedge. The plantains are extra, but worth it. What I love most about this place is you can get a delicious meal for less than $ 10 and still have enough to take home.
Service is fast– they chop the chicken right in front of you. You should have an idea of what you want before stepping up to the counter because they’re about their business and want to keep the line moving.

I’ve been to this Chicken Rico a few times. It always fairly busy here, unlike the location down town. The location downtown is always deserted and it looks like the food has been sitting out for awhile. Here no matter what time I come it’s moderately busy to full on busy busy. The line goes by fast.
The chicken is crisp and juicy. The spice blend is pretty consistent across the chain. A half
Chicken platter with three large helpings of side dishes is more than enough for two people and it’s a little under 9 dollars.
They have these caramel filled powder sandwich cookies that are insanely delicious. I can’t remember what they are called but they are literally my new favorite thing.
The parking is ok. It’s located on a busy street really close to the South East Anchor library. It is probably going to be more of a hassle to find parking right after school lets out during the school year.
All in all one of the better Peruvian chicken restaurants in Baltimore.

YOOOOOOO Let me tell you about this place.
I came here with my boyfriend and his brother and for $ 28 all three of us got fed more than enough food. We got a whole chicken, beans, rice, veggies, plantains and drinks. There was more than enough food to feed us. The chicken is tender, the rice was really banging, and the plantains were epic. The beans and veggies weren’t half bad either. I’ll eat here again!

I kind of hate to give a lower rating to a Unilocal institution, but I truly think that this place is pretty much average. Prices? Okay. Menu selection? Okay. Service? Okay. Food quality? Okay. I just find it okay after two visits far apart. The chicken is cooked well, but the seasoning just isn’t my thing. I’d frankly prefer to have some good old Royal Farms fried chicken. And yes, I know that’s a totally different style of chicken! Oh, and the canned «diet golden cola» was just downright gross!!! And yes, I know they don’t make it! In my opinion, there’s just too many other good options around.

Wow — the chicken is seasoned perfectly. Got a whole chicken. Their sauces were on point and make sure to get those plantains!!!
Be aware as parking isn’t the greatest and the neighborhood has a bit of character to it. Just be aware of your surroundings in the evening!

This place is just okay, I think.
Got the half chicken with rice and beans. First, it bothers me that rice and beans are considered two sides as any other place I’ve gone considers it one, so strike one.
The black beans had no real flavor. They needed salt badly. They just weren’t good. The rice was fine, fluffy and not dry.
The chicken. The skin had amazing flavor, but the chicken itself was a bit dry, so it wasn’t that enjoyable.
They just handed me four sauces without asking — two yellow two green. The yellow sauce was so weird. It’s not at all what I’m used too (I understand different places have different recipes)
Wish I had gotten plantines and yucca instead of rice and beans, maybe those would have been better.
I will say the portions are great. They aren’t shy.
All in all, it was just okay. Won’t be rushing back. I’ll stick to the taquerias in the area! I might be too much of a loyalist to Sardi’s.

I had a wicked craving for chicken, and Cabanita’s Chicken — highly recommended by my roommate — closed down. So I drove 15 minutes to get a whole chicken + fried plantains + coleslaw from Chicken Rico, and I was not disappointed! I agree with other reviewers that this is a great & cheap place to come if you’re eating in a group. Or, you can buy a whole chicken for takeout, and stuff your face in your car because you can’t wait. Ahem.
The chicken was extremely flavourful, even the white meat! The meat falls off the bones, and comes with two kinds of sauces. The green sauce is spicy and more watery, and definitely gives the flavour profile a kick. The yellow sauce seems to be mayo-​based, and for me made the whole thing too rich, but still great. I ordered extra sauce, but honestly, didn’t end up using as much as I thought because the chicken alone was so juicy. Plantains were everything you could ask for from caramelized, gooey, starchy carbs; and the coleslaw was appropriately sour.
I may have enjoyed my food in my car, but the dining area looked clean & relatively empty. Atmosphere is fast-​food-​esque, so coupled with the fact that this chicken should be enjoyed with your fingers, probably not a first date location. Or maybe — if you’re with the right guy or gal — it totally is.

What a precious gem I have been ignoring for two years, as a resident of good ol’ Charm City! I’m just sad that I missed out on all of the Peruvian yummyness. Half a super well-​spiced deletactable chicken, with plantains and rice… oh yeah! Now I can’t seem to get the food out of my head and off of my tastebuds.
The new location in downtown Baltimore has more side selections, but is equally as tasty and tearing it up in the downtown Baltimore area. I am looking forward to trying out the downtown location, but enjoying my fill of each Chicken Rico. Nom nom nom.

Sometimes I get really hungry and I want food. Usually food means CHICKEN RICO. I seriously have made friends by bonding over how delicious Chicken Rico is.
I love the Whole Chicken with the two sides – (ALWAYS the plantains but yucca fries are good too.) Yucca fries fresh out? So delicious, I’m drooling thinking about it. I don’t really know how to explain to you how good Chicken Rico. The plantains are fried gently and just so sweet. The chicken is moist and flavorful (roasted on a rotating pike). I usually have tortillas on the side and make mini tacos with my chicken. Or I take the chicken pieces.
The sauces are good (the yellow sauce isn’t very spicy but the green one is delicious and very spicy and clean). I will say that 90% of the time the chicken is AMAZING but I have been there before and the chicken was a little dry. Maybe overcooked? If you go once and the chicken is overcooked and dry, don’t take that to heart! It’s only happened once or twice but your tastebuds will just thank you!

I absolutely love sweet plantains so I knew I had to try chicken Rico. Came here on a weekend afternoon and It was the perfect post run lunch spot. I ended up getting the half chicken white meat platter with the plantains and salad (mainly because I knew everything else would be super heavy but the other side options looked divine as well). The chicken was not dry at all and super tasty, although a bit salty for my taste. I loved the 2 sauces that come with it. One is a cilantro chili sauce (super spicy!) and the other a creamy mayo based one. Together they are perfectly balanced.
The place itself was nice and clean and also HUGE so I think it’d be great for a large group.

I heard the folks at work rave about this place and decided I needed some of it in my life ASAP. In general, I don’t really enjoy chicken from the bone. You’ll never catch me cooking a whole chicken. I’d much rather eat boneless breasts/​tenders. But this chicken was very good! Cooked well throughout (which is my biggest hangup about chicken on the bone), juicy and seasoned well. I ordered the ¼ white meat chicken w/​yucca fries and red kidney beans. It was my first time trying yucca. It’s not bad… think extra starchy french fry. Everything was delicious. and the yellow and green sauces they serve with it add just the extra pizzazz necessary. The green one was SPICY, so I didn’t eat much of it, but it was tasty. This place is on the other side of town from me, but for a craving I would definitely make the drive. Yum.