Get ready to transform your dinner routine with these incredibly flavorful Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs! This easy recipe brings the vibrant tastes of Cuban cuisine right into your kitchen, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal or a casual weekend gathering.
You’ll love how simple it is to achieve such deep, zesty flavors with minimal effort. This dish is designed for busy home cooks who crave delicious, family-friendly food without spending hours in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes (with 30 min marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs are incredibly flavorful and easy to make, bringing vibrant Cuban tastes to your kitchen. Perfect for a weeknight meal or casual gathering, this recipe offers deep, zesty flavors with minimal effort, making it a true weeknight hero for busy home cooks.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Prepare the Mojo Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped fresh cilantro, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and optional apple cider vinegar. Ensure all ingredients are well combined. The mixture should look slightly emulsified and fragrant.
2. 2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the prepared mojo marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor. If marinating longer than 2 hours, turn the chicken occasionally to ensure even distribution of the marinade.
3. 3. Preheat Your Cooking Surface: If pan-searing, heat a large skillet (cast iron works wonderfully) over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. If baking, preheat your oven to 400 F (200 C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
4. 4. Cook the Chicken: For pan-searing, remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off (discard the remaining marinade). Place the chicken thighs in the hot skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C). If baking, arrange the marinated chicken thighs in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear, reaching an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C).
5. 5. Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet or oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and moist chicken.
6. 6. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the chicken thighs or serve them whole. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro if desired. These Mojo Chicken Thighs are now ready to be enjoyed with your favorite side dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: pan-searing, baking
- Cuisine: cuban
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
Keywords: chicken, mojo, cuban, citrus, garlic, easy, weeknight, flavorful, marinade, thighs
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs recipe is a true weeknight hero, offering maximum flavor with minimal fuss. It’s perfect for anyone looking to add some exciting new tastes to their dinner rotation without complex techniques or obscure ingredients. Families will appreciate the tender, juicy chicken and the bright, citrusy marinade that appeals to a wide range of palates, even picky eaters. You can easily serve this dish any night of the week, whether you’re looking for a comforting meal after a long day or something special enough for a casual dinner party. The vibrant mojo marinade not only infuses the chicken with incredible taste but also helps to keep it wonderfully moist during cooking, ensuring a delicious result every time.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for these Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs is straightforward, focusing on fresh, accessible items that pack a punch. The star of the show is the mojo marinade, a zesty blend of citrus, garlic, and herbs that tenderizes and flavors the chicken beautifully. You’ll find everything you need at your local grocery store, making this a convenient and stress-free meal to prepare.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, for extra tang)
For the chicken thighs, boneless and skinless are recommended for quicker cooking and easier eating, but bone-in, skin-on thighs can also be used if you prefer, though they will require a slightly longer cooking time. When it comes to citrus, fresh juice makes a significant difference in flavor compared to bottled varieties, so it’s worth the extra minute to squeeze your own. If you don’t have fresh cilantro, you can substitute with fresh parsley, though the flavor profile will be slightly different. For the olive oil, any good quality extra virgin olive oil will work well.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
Preparing these Flavorful Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs is surprisingly quick, making it an ideal choice for busy schedules. The active prep time is minimal, with most of the magic happening during the marinating process.
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 30 minutes (minimum) to 4 hours (for best flavor)
- Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour to 4 hours and 40 minutes, depending on marinating duration
While you can marinate the chicken for as little as 30 minutes if you’re really pressed for time, allowing it to soak up the mojo flavors for a few hours will yield a more deeply infused and tender result. The cooking time is for pan-searing or baking, which are both quick and efficient methods.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating these delicious Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to achieve perfectly tender and flavorful chicken every time.
- Prepare the Mojo Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped fresh cilantro, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and optional apple cider vinegar. Ensure all ingredients are well combined. The mixture should look slightly emulsified and fragrant.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the prepared mojo marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor. If marinating longer than 2 hours, turn the chicken occasionally to ensure even distribution of the marinade.
- Preheat Your Cooking Surface: If pan-searing, heat a large skillet (cast iron works wonderfully) over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. If baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Cook the Chicken: For pan-searing, remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off (discard the remaining marinade). Place the chicken thighs in the hot skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If baking, arrange the marinated chicken thighs in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet or oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and moist chicken.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice the chicken thighs or serve them whole. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro if desired. These Mojo Chicken Thighs are now ready to be enjoyed with your favorite side dishes.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
These Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can reduce the amount of garlic slightly or serve the chicken with a side of mild rice and beans. The citrusy flavor is generally well-received by children, especially when paired with familiar sides.
If you’re looking to switch things up, consider grilling the chicken instead of pan-searing or baking. The smoky char from the grill adds another layer of delicious flavor. Simply follow the marinating steps and then grill over medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
For a party or buffet setting, you can slice the cooked chicken thighs into strips and serve them as part of a build-your-own taco or power bowl bar, alongside tortillas, rice, black beans, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream or avocado crema. The vibrant flavors also make this chicken a fantastic addition to a large salad for a lighter meal.
Optional toppings for serving include extra fresh cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, thinly sliced red onions (quick-pickled for an extra tang), or even a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese. These additions enhance the presentation and offer additional layers of flavor and texture.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple recipe like Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs, a few common mistakes can impact the final result. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect chicken every time.
One frequent slip-up is not marinating the chicken long enough. While 30 minutes will impart some flavor, the true depth of the mojo comes from allowing the chicken to soak in the marinade for at least 2-4 hours. Forgetting to marinate or rushing this step will result in less flavorful chicken. Plan ahead to give your chicken ample time to absorb all those delicious citrus and herb notes.
Another common issue is overcrowding the pan when pan-searing. If you put too many chicken thighs into the skillet at once, the temperature of the pan drops significantly. This leads to steaming the chicken instead of searing it, preventing that beautiful golden-brown crust from forming. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary, ensuring there’s enough space between each piece for proper browning.
Overcooking the chicken is another pitfall. Chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts, but they can still become dry and tough if cooked for too long. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the thigh. Once it reaches this temperature, remove it from the heat. Resting the chicken after cooking is also crucial; skipping this step can result in juices running out when you cut into it, leading to a drier texture.
Finally, not discarding the used marinade is a food safety concern. Once raw chicken has been in the marinade, it should not be reused as a sauce unless it has been boiled vigorously for several minutes to kill any bacteria. For this recipe, it’s best to simply discard the marinade after use.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
These Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs are fantastic for meal prepping and can be stored effectively to enjoy later without compromising their delicious flavor or
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
