Cuban Mojo Chicken
User Reviews
5
Cuban Mojo Chicken
Description
This Cuban Mojo Chicken recipe uses a marinade combining olive oil, fresh cilantro, orange zest and juice, lime juice, oregano, cumin, mint, garlic, salt, and black pepper. The marinade is blended to finely chop the cilantro and evenly distribute flavors. The chicken pieces are soaked in the marinade for 12 to 36 hours, allowing the citrus acids and herbs to tenderize and infuse the meat deeply.
The chicken is baked at a moderate 350°F initially with the skin side down, enabling the marinade to be absorbed and the meat to cook through gently. After flipping, the chicken is basted with pan juices and roasted further to brown the skin, creating a flavorful caramelized crust. Resting before serving lets the juices redistribute, ensuring moist meat.
Optional orange wedges can cook alongside the chicken, complementing the citrus tones of the marinade and adding visual appeal. This dish can be served as a main course alongside rice or vegetables, bringing a balance of rich poultry flavor and bright herbal notes.
For a leaner variation, chicken breast can be marinated similarly and then cooked on the stove over medium-high heat instead of baking.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks, about 8 pieces total, bone-in, skin-on
For the Marinade
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ½ cup cilantro lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ⅓ cup orange juice fresh
- ¼ cup lime juice fresh
- ¾ teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 ½ tablespoon mint chopped, fresh
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnishes
- 1 orange cut into wedges
- cilantro for garnish, chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Place the marinade ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the cilantro is finely chopped.
- Pour the marinade over chicken in a large bowl. Cover with cling wrap and marinate for 12 – 36 hours.
To Cook
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place chicken in a baking pan, and scrape in residual marinade in the bowl. Place thighs skin side DOWN. Add orange wedges, if using.
- Bake chicken for 30 minutes. Remove and turn chicken. Spoon over pan juices.
- Bake for a further 20 minutes or until the skin is nicely browned. Rest for 5 minutes then serve!
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least 12 hours, up to 36 hours, for best flavor and tenderness.
- To use chicken breasts, apply the marinade the same way but cook on the stovetop over medium-high heat instead of baking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 419 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 419 | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 151mg | 50% |
| Sodium | 585mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 403mg | 9% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 270IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 21.4mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.4mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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