Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (2024)

Home Chicken Dinners Cuban Mojo Chicken

Becky Hardin

4.42 from 334 votes

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This marinated and baked Cuban Mojo Chicken is so juicy and so tender! It’s topped off with a homemade pineapple avocado salsa that features all fresh ingredients. Make this summery entree for your next party or easy weeknight dinner!

Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (1)

What’s in Cuban Mojo Chicken

Traditionally, the base of the mojo sauce is a mix of citrus juice, garlic and olive oil. For this recipe, we use delicious fresh oranges, together with a combination of herbs, and the outcome is so good!

  • Chicken Legs: I like to use free-range organic chicken for the very best results.
  • Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice will create the very best flavor!
  • Lime Juice: Don’t use bottled lime juice – the flavor will taste artificial. Freshly squeezed is the way to go!
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic is what you need, not pre-minced.
  • Seasonings: A medley of cumin, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper create the best flavor.
  • Olive Oil: You can swap this for avocado oil if preferred.
  • Onion: A white onion is preferred but a yellow onion can also be used.

Pro Tip: Marinate the mojo chicken as long as you can (ideally, for at least 3 hours) to get the maximum flavor.

Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (2)

Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (3)

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How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the meat. Cooked chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.

How long do I need to marinate Cuban chicken?

Ideally, you want to marinate your chicken for three hours in the refrigerator. The more time you allow the chicken to marinate, the more intense and flavorful your chicken will be. You will need a bit of patience and to plan a little ahead, but trust me, it’s worth it! If you are running short on time, marinate at least 20 minutes.

How long does mojo chicken need to bake?

After baking at 350°F for 35 minutes, the chicken should be fully cooked. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (4)

How to Store and Reheat

Once cooled to room temperature, leftover mojo chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat either in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Wait for the cuban chicken to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and pop it in the freezer. Store for up to 3 months and don’t forget to date and label! When you’re ready to serve, let the chicken slowly thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve with Cuban Chicken

Steamed rice, black beans, and plantains are the best sides for Cuban mojo chicken. Also, don’t forget to place some summery avocado pineapple salsa on top!

Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (5)

Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (6)

4.42 from 334 votes

Cuban Mojo Chicken

Cuban Mojo Chicken is marinated to flavor perfection, then baked in 30 minutes. What really sends it over the top is the pineapple avocado salsa on top!

Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (7)

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Ingredients

  • 4 bone-in chicken leg quarters
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • lime juiced
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • ¼ cup cilantro
  • 1 lime zest
  • ½ tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black ground pepper
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 onion quartered

Pineapple-Avocado Salsa

  • ½ avocado
  • 4 ounces pineapple diced
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes

Sides (optional)

  • ½ cup black beans rinsed & drained (optional)
  • 1 cup steamed rice optional

Instructions

Mojo Chicken

  • Preheat oven at 350°F.

  • Add to the food processor, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, lime zest, cumin, oregano, salt, and black ground pepper.

    ½ cup orange juice, ⅓ lime, 3 garlic cloves, ¼ cup cilantro, 1 lime zest, ½ tablespoon cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black ground pepper

  • Process for 10 seconds. You don’t want the sauce to become too creamy.

  • Add the olive oil and process for 5 seconds, just to combine slightly.

    ½ cup olive oil

  • Add the chicken and chopped onion to a large bowl.

    4 bone-in chicken leg quarters, 1 onion

  • Pour half of the mojo sauce over the chicken and onions. Cover with cling film, and marinate in the fridge for 3 hours.

  • Set aside the remaining half of the mojo sauce for later use.

  • When the chicken is done marinating, add chicken and onions to the baking tray, together with the sauce it marinated in.

  • Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, or until cooked through to 165°F internally.

Pineapple-Avocado Salsa

  • Meanwhile, chop up the pineapple, avocado, and cherry tomatoes into small pieces and add them in a small bowl. Mix in the remaining half of Mojo sauce you saved earlier. Your salsa is ready!

    ½ avocado, 4 ounces pineapple, ½ cup cherry tomatoes

  • Drizzle pineapple-avocado salsa over baked mojo chicken, serve with steamed rice and beans, and enjoy!

    ½ cup black beans, 1 cup steamed rice

Notes

Storage: Store Cuban mojo chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Cuban Mojo Chicken

Amount Per Serving

Calories 674Calories from Fat 495

% Daily Value*

Fat 55g85%

Saturated Fat 11g69%

Cholesterol 142mg47%

Sodium 784mg34%

Potassium 718mg21%

Carbohydrates 32g11%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 28g56%

Vitamin A 355IU7%

Vitamin C 47.4mg57%

Calcium 62mg6%

Iron 2.7mg15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Becky Hardin

Course:Main Course

Cuisine:Cuban

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Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (14)

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin founded Easy Chicken Recipes in 2018. She has been creating trusted, easy, and delicious recipes on the web since 2012. Becky is known for simple dinner ideas, delicious crockpot recipes, creative chicken meals, and so much more. We have built a team of recipe developers, testers, and writers that love to create trust chicken recipes for every family.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

  1. Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (15)JONESCRUSHER says

    The GOYA food company makes a fantastic Mojo marinade. You can find it at Wal mart. Look in the foreign food aisle.

    Reply

    • Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (16)Becky Hardin says

      Thanks for the tip!

      Reply

  2. Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (17)Mark says

    Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (18)
    Great chicken recipe

    Reply

  3. Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (19)Melissa Boyer says

    Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (20)
    It was so yummy

    Reply

    • Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (21)Becky Hardin says

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Melissa!

      Reply

  4. Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (22)Karen says

    I’m going to do this recipe there’s no mention of orange slices but are clearly in you picture, how much and when do you add

    Reply

    • Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (23)Becky Hardin says

      Hi, I just served this with orange slices for garnish!

      Reply

  5. Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (24)Rinata Jackson says

    Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (25)
    This is obviously a stolen PICTURE for this recipe. I am an avid recipe follower and if I had followed the recipe for this meal it would have been a disaster! Thanks to previous comments it came out great.

    COOK THE CHICKEN FOR 50-60 MIN AT 400.

    SEASON THE CHICKEN BEFORE ADDING MOJO SAUCE.

    EVEB AFTER COOLING FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AT A HIGHER TEMP… TURN ON THE BROILER FOR 10 MIN OR EVEN LONGER TO CREATE THAT CHARRED BLACKENED LOOK LIKE THE PICTURE!!!

    Salsa and marinade is good but everything else is misleading.

    Reply

    • Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (26)Becky Hardin says

      Hi Rinata, I’d like to assure you all of our recipes are developed, rigorously tested, and photographed in house. I’m so sorry to hear this recipe didn’t work out as expected!

      Reply

Older Comments

Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is Cuban mojo sauce made of? ›

Preparation. Blend orange juice, lime juice, chile, garlic, cilantro, oil, sugar, and salt in a blender until mostly smooth but still specked with herbs. Transfer sauce to a small bowl.

Is it okay to cook chicken in the marinade? ›

No matter how you cook it, you'll want to discard any extra uncooked marinade. Alternatively, bring the marinade to a full boil to kill any bacteria, then brush it onto the cooked chicken.

How long to marinate chicken? ›

You can marinate chicken anywhere from 2 hours up to 24 hours, though marinating chicken for even 15 to 30 minutes can impart flavor and moisture into smaller pieces of meat. Generally, bone-in cuts of chicken, such as wings, drumsticks and breasts, will require a longer marinade time than their boneless counterparts.

What is the difference between mojo and mojo Criollo? ›

Mojo Criollo is commonly mistaken for Mojo Marinade. The biggest difference is that Mojo Marinade is something that you would use to season and “marinate” the pork, and Mojo Criollo is what you would use to dip it in. It's usually what you find drizzled on top or on the side of Yuca or Mariquitas.

Does Mojo marinade need to be refrigerated? ›

Make sure to store your Mojo in a very tight sealed jar or something similar so it doesn't go to waste! It will be safe to consume and use if you keep it continuously refrigerated in a air tight container. Also, make sure to stir or shake the mojo marinade since some of the contents may have settled to the bottom.

Do you rinse marinade off chicken before cooking? ›

Remove Marinade Before Cooking: To prevent flare-ups on the grill and ensure properly browned meat when sautéing or stir-frying, wipe off most of the excess marinade before cooking. Keep just a little marinade on the meat surface to maximize flavor.

Is it better to bake or pan fry marinated chicken? ›

While both baking and pan frying can give you tasty, juicy chicken, if you are in a hurry, it is better to pan fry it. Because baked chicken breast is easy to dry out, it needs time to brine or marinade before you cook it.

Should I cut chicken before marinade? ›

Technique tip: Don't skip the step of cutting slashes into the chicken. The cuts allow the seasonings to get into the meat for better flavor throughout and also help speed the cooking.

Should I poke holes in chicken before marinating? ›

While poking holes in your chicken while marinating it can be helpful, it's not mandatory. Mostly, this method helps if you don't have several hours to spare when marinating your poultry. Poking holes in your chicken can allow the marinade to penetrate better in a shorter period.

Should chicken marinate in the fridge? ›

Always marinate meat and poultry in the refrigerator, and boil the used marinade if you want to brush it on the meat or poultry while it's grilling. Do not save the used marinade.

Is it better to marinate chicken in the fridge or room temperature? ›

Always marinate foods in the refrigerator, not on the kitchen counter. Some older recipes call for marinating at room temperature. DO NOT FOLLOW THIS PRACTICE. Marinating at room temperature causes the meat to enter the “Danger Zone” (between 40°F and 140°F), where bacteria multiply fastest.

What does Chick Fil A put in their chicken? ›

All our chicken is real breast meat with no fillers or added hormones or steroids – in fact, no artificial or added hormones are allowed in the production of any poultry in the United States.

What is jerk chicken? ›

Jerk refers to a style of cooking in which the main ingredient—which most often is chicken but may also be beef, pork, goat, boar, seafood, or vegetables—is coated in spices and slow-cooked over a fire or grill traditionally composed of green pimento wood positioned over burning coals; the resulting smoke is key to the ...

What is melted chicken fat called? ›

The fat, known as schmaltz, is, in its most basic form, just that: rendered poultry fat. Often, though, onions are also added to the rendering process for flavor, then strained out along with the gribenes (crispy poultry fat cracklin's) before use.

What is the flavor of mojo? ›

Mojo is a fragrant garlic-and-herb sauce that adds zest and spice to many Cuban dishes. It can be used as a marinade for pork, beef, or seafood, or passed tableside as a condiment. Unlike Canary Island mojos, which rely on chiles and vinegar, Cuban mojo gets its signature tartness from bitter orange juice.

Is mojo flavor spicy? ›

Mojo serves as a versatile condiment that enhances the flavor of various dishes, adding a spicy and refreshing element that complements meats, seafood, vegetables, and more.

What is red mojo sauce made of? ›

Mojo Picón is a salsa (sauce) made with red peppers, garlic and cumin and is often served in the Canaries with "papas arrugadas" - salt-crusted potatoes. The spicy and savoury taste also goes well with grilled food, fish, vegetables and cabbage. It is lactose-free and great for a health-conscious diet.

What does Badia Mojo marinade taste like? ›

It has a nice citrus flavor (not too strong), and a nice consistency for marinating.

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