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overhead view of cuban mojo chicken on a baking sheet with citrus wedges.
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4.42 from 334 votes

Cuban Mojo Chicken Recipe

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!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
3 hours
Total Time4 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cuban
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 727kcal
Author: Becky Hardin

Ingredients

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters *
  • ½ cup orange juice from 2 oranges
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice from ½ lime
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro **
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest from 1 lime
  • ½ tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 onion quartered

Pineapple-Avocado Salsa (Optional):

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

Instructions

For the Mojo Chicken:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Add to the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, lime zest, cumin, oregano, salt, and black ground pepper to a food processor.
    ½ cup orange juice, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 3 cloves garlic , ¼ cup fresh cilantro, 2 teaspoons lime zest, ½ tablespoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    ingredients for mojo sauce in a blender.
  • Process for 10 seconds, then add the olive oil.
    ½ cup olive oil
    adding olive oil to mojo sauce in a blender.
  • Process for 5 seconds, just to combine slightly.
    blended mojo sauce in a blender.
  • Add the chicken and chopped onion to a large bowl. Pour half of the mojo sauce over the chicken and onions. Cover with cling film, and marinate in the fridge for 3 hours.
    4 bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters, 1 onion
    raw chicken leg quarters and onion pieces coated with mojo sauce in a plastic wrap-covered glass bowl.
  • 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 45-60 minutes, or until cooked through to 165°F internally.
    marinated cuban mojo chicken leg quarters on a baking sheet topped with more mojo sauce.

For the 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 fresh pineapple, ½ cup cherry tomatoes
    mojo salsa with chopped pineapple, avocado, and tomatoes in a glass bowl.
  • Drizzle pineapple-avocado salsa over baked mojo chicken, serve with steamed rice and beans, and enjoy!
    a serving of cuban mojo chicken on a plate with mojo salsa, black beans, rice, and pineapple.

Video

Notes

*This recipe works great with any bone-in chicken (thighs or breasts are great, as are wings!). Just shorten the cooking time accordingly.
**If you're not a fan of cilantro, swap for parsley. It will have a different flavor, but it will still be delicious!
Tips:
  • Pulse the sauce just until combined. Overprocessing turns it creamy and dulls that punchy, zesty texture you want.
  • Mojo sauce varies by region. Taste before marinating and tweak the salt, garlic, or lime juice to your liking.
  • If you have the time, marinate the chicken overnight. The citrus and garlic tenderize the meat beautifully and infuse it with authentic Cuban flavor.
  • Use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the meat. Cooked chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.
  • The acid in the mojo can slightly soften the avocado if it sits too long, so don't make it too early!
  • Add diced jalapeño or red pepper flakes for heat, or leave it out for a kid-friendly version.
  • Serve your mojo chicken with white rice, black beans, and fried plantains for a full Cuban-inspired meal.
Storage: Store Cuban mojo chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 727kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 35g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 177mg | Sodium: 428mg | Potassium: 709mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 437IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg