Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs
User Reviews
4.5
156 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Additional Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Servings
10 Servings
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Calories
224 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Cuban
Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs
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Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs are marinated boneless skinless thighs soaked in a citrus-herb blend featuring orange and lime juices, garlic, and spices. The marinade infuses bright tanginess balanced with sweetness from maple syrup and warmth from cumin and optional ginger, delivering juicy, flavorful baked chicken.
Description
This recipe uses a marinade combining orange juice, lime zest and juice, avocado oil, maple syrup, garlic, onion powder, ground cumin, and optionally ground ginger to coat chicken thighs. Marinating for at least an hour allows the citrus and spices to tenderize and permeate the meat. Baking the chicken in the marinade at a high temperature produces juicy thighs with a subtly caramelized exterior.
The bright citrus and subtle sweetness complement the savory and aromatic seasonings, offering a balanced flavor profile. These chicken thighs are suitable for a main dish served with rice, beans, or vegetables, reflecting Cuban-inspired flavors.
Adjust marinade quantity proportionally when halving the recipe, using about 1.5 lbs of thighs and half the marinade ingredients for smaller portions.
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Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken thigh boneless skinless
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest or lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp lime juice or lemon juice, fresh
- 1/4 cup avocado oil or olive oil
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger optional
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin ground
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste, sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Add the ingredients for the mojo marinade to a small blender or a food processor and blend until everything is well combined (orange juice, lime zest, lime juice, avocado oil, pure maple syrup, garlic, onion powder, ground ginger, ground cumin, and sea salt).
- Transfer the raw boneless skinless chicken thighs to a large zip lock bag and pour in all of the marinade. Tightly seal the bag and move everything around until all of the chicken pieces are covered in mojo marinade. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour for the best results, and up to 24 hours.
- When you’re ready to bake the chicken, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Transfer the marinated chicken to a large casserole dish or baking dish, including all of the marinade. Arrange the chicken in a single layer. It’s fine if the chicken thighs touch each other, but try to keep them from overlapping.
- Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To verify the temperature, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the largest thigh and wait until the number stop moving to get an accurate read. Note: if you're making skin-on chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts, adjust the bake time accordingly. Chicken breasts, for instance, can be baked at 350 for 20 to 30 minutes.
- For a caramelized glazed chicken, baste the chicken with the juices (you can do so by spooning the juices over the cooked chicken thighs) and place them back into the oven under the high broil setting.
- Broil for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. Note that chicken thighs tend to have the best texture when the internal temperature is closer to 200 degrees F, so don't worry if the temperature far exceeds 165. For chicken breasts, however, try to bake as close to 165 as possible to achieve juicy chicken.
- Let chicken rest at least 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve Cuban mojo chicken with your choice of side dishes such as steamed rice, black beans, avocado, fresh tomatoes and fried plantains.
Notes
- Three pounds corresponds roughly to 8–12 boneless skinless chicken thighs; halve ingredients for smaller quantities.
- Marinate chicken from 1 hour up to 24 hours in the refrigerator for best flavor and tenderness.
- Bake at 425°F uncovered until internal temperature reaches safe doneness (about 20 minutes).
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1Thigh (of 10)
Calories
224kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
5g
(2%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Cholesterol
126mg
(42%)
Sodium
243mg
(10%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 224 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1Thigh (of 10) | |
| Calories | 224kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Cholesterol | 126mg | 42% |
| Sodium | 243mg | 10% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
156 reviews
Excellent
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