Cuban Mojo Chicken

By Becky Hardin

Published Sep 14, 2021

Fresh and delicious, this easy to make Cuban mojo chicken recipe is full of citrus flavors. Made from scratch, the marinated chicken is baked in the oven with fragrant sauce for one tasty dinner everyone will love.

Baked Mojo Chicken Recipe

Liven up your chicken dinners with this simple but SO delicious Cuban inspired recipe.

This mojo chicken is baked in the oven and it’s so effortless to make. With flavors of mint, cilantro and citrus, this is one dinner recipe that’s sure to impress! The baked marinated chicken comes out so juicy, and every bite is extra delicious.

I know you are going to love this one!

Be sure to try my Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken and Lemon White Wine Chicken too!

Why you’ll love this Easy Cuban Chicken recipe:

• HEALTHY : Made with natural ingredients, this tasty recipe is high in protein and low in saturated fat, a well as being low carb.
• EASY: It takes minutes to make the marinade and sauce for this dish, before it gets baked altogether in the oven. It’s a great go to after a busy day.
• SIMPLE INGREDIENTS : You just need some chicken thighs, fresh herbs and citrus some oil, and of course, some garlic. Everyday ingredients but big flavors.

How to make Mojo Chicken in the Oven

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

1. Make the mojo sauce in a blender.
2. Marinade the chicken thighs for 2 hours.
3. Place the thighs in a baking sheet and top with citrus slices and oil.
4. Bake and baste the chicken til golden brown.

Can you make this recipe with chicken breasts?

I like to use bone in and skin on chicken thighs for this recipe. The bones helps them to stay nice and juicy and the skin adds extra flavor. You can make this with chicken breasts if you prefer, but the cooking time will need to be reduced to around 20 to 30 minutes.

Use an instant read thermometer to check when your chicken i fully cooked through, it should register at 165F.

Can you make it ahead of time?

This Cuban mojo chicken recipe is best served as soon as you’ve made it, but the sauce will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. It’s best not to marinate the chicken for more than 2 hours, as the acid can start to break down the meat too much and become tough.

If you do have leftovers, they will keep well for 4 days, and can be reheated in the oven at 360F for around 20 minutes til warmed through.

What do you serve it with?

I like to serve this Cuban chicken with rice and veggies, or a chopped salad will work great too. Try it with:

• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Red Beans and Rice
• Peruvian Chopped Salad

Tips!

• This chicken is incredibly juicy and flavorful. The orange and lime slices caramelize with the baking so they get soft and delicious.
• I like to serve it with some extra mojo sauce on the side and drizzle the chicken with it once I’m ready to serve it.
• Don’t marinade the chicken for more than 2 hours. If you are short on time, a 30 minute marinade will still add lots of flavor.
• Once baked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

This Cuban mojo chicken recipe is so crazy delicious! Simple to prep and so effortless to cook, it’s a great option for a weeknight meal, but super tasty that you can easily serve it to company when you are trying to impress.

More Easy Chicken Recipes we Love

• Baked Chicken Tacos
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Beer Can Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Chili
• Crispy Chicken Sandwich

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the Chicken

• ▢ 3 Pounds chicken thighs
• ▢ 1 Tsp cumin
• ▢ 1 Garlic clove minced
• ▢ 1 Orange sliced
• ▢ 1 Lemon sliced
• ▢ 1 Lime sliced
• ▢ 2 Tbsp olive oil
• ▢ ½ Cup mojo sauce

For the Sauce

• ▢ Juice from 2 oranges
• ▢ Juice from 1 lime
• ▢ Juice from 1 lemon
• ▢ 2 Garlic cloves
• ▢ ¾ Cup cilantro
• ▢ ⅓ Cup mint
• ▢ ½ Cup olive oil

Instructions

For the Chicken

• Place the chicken thighs in a bowl. Add the cumin, garlic clove and mojo sauce and rub. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate for 2 hours. 3 Pounds chicken thighs, 1 Tsp cumin, 1 Garlic clove, ½ Cup mojo sauce
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the chicken, skin side up in a baking pan. Add the lemon slices, orange slices and lime slices and drizzle with the oil. 1 Orange sliced, 1 Lemon, 1 Lime, 2 Tbsp olive oil
• Bake for 45 to 50 minutes spooning the chicken with the pan juices every 15 minutes. Cook until golden brown.

For the Sauce

• Place all the ingredients except for the oil into the glass of a blender and pulse until everything is well incorporated. Juice from 2 oranges, Juice from 1 lime, Juice from 1 lemon, 2 Garlic cloves, ¾ Cup cilantro, ⅓ Cup mint
• With the blender running on low slowly pour in the olive oil and continue mixing for 1 more minute. ½ Cup olive oil

Becky’s Tips

• This chicken is incredibly juicy and flavorful. The orange and lime slices caramelize with the baking so they get soft and delicious.
• I like to serve it with some extra mojo sauce on the side and drizzle the chicken with it once I’m ready to serve it.
• You can refrigerate this sauce for up to 4 days.
• Don’t marinade the chicken for more than 2 hours. If you are short on time, a 30 minute marinade will still add lots of flavor.
• Once baked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Mojo Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 3 Pounds chicken thighs
• 1 Tsp cumin
• 1 Garlic clove minced
• 1 Orange sliced
• 1 Lemon sliced
• 1 Lime sliced
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• ½ Cup mojo sauce

For the Sauce

• Juice from 2 oranges
• Juice from 1 lime
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 2 Garlic cloves
• ¾ Cup cilantro
• ⅓ Cup mint
• ½ Cup olive oil

Instructions

For the Chicken

• Place the chicken thighs in a bowl. Add the cumin, garlic clove and mojo sauce and rub. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate for 2 hours. 3 Pounds chicken thighs, 1 Tsp cumin, 1 Garlic clove, ½ Cup mojo sauce
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the chicken, skin side up in a baking pan. Add the lemon slices, orange slices and lime slices and drizzle with the oil. 1 Orange sliced, 1 Lemon, 1 Lime, 2 Tbsp olive oil
• Bake for 45 to 50 minutes spooning the chicken with the pan juices every 15 minutes. Cook until golden brown.

For the Sauce

• Place all the ingredients except for the oil into the glass of a blender and pulse until everything is well incorporated. Juice from 2 oranges, Juice from 1 lime, Juice from 1 lemon, 2 Garlic cloves, ¾ Cup cilantro, ⅓ Cup mint
• With the blender running on low slowly pour in the olive oil and continue mixing for 1 more minute. ½ Cup olive oil

Notes

• This chicken is incredibly juicy and flavorful. The orange and lime slices caramelize with the baking so they get soft and delicious.
• I like to serve it with some extra mojo sauce on the side and drizzle the chicken with it once I’m ready to serve it.
• You can refrigerate this sauce for up to 4 days.
• Don’t marinade the chicken for more than 2 hours. If you are short on time, a 30 minute marinade will still add lots of flavor.
• Once baked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Nutrition

By Becky Hardin

Published Jul 12, 2017

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

Essential Grocery List

It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!

It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.

However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.

In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.

I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List

What to Buy at the Grocery Store

This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.

When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.

So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!

Fresh Produce

• Apples
• Bananas
• Strawberries
• Avocados
• Bell Peppers
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Garlic
• Lemons/Limes
• Onion
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Basil
• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Tomatoes

GRAINS

• Breadcrumbs
• Pasta
• Quinoa
• Rice
• Sandwich Bread
• Tortillas

MEAT/PROTEIN

• Chicken
• Eggs
• Ground Beef
• Sliced Turkey
• Lunch Meat

DAIRY

• Butter
• Sliced Cheese
• Shredded Cheese
• Milk
• Sour Cream
• Greek Yogurt

BAKING GOODS

• Baking powder
• Baking Soda
• Granulated Sugar
• Brown Sugar
• Flour
• Honey
• Vanilla Extract
• Dry Yeast
• Chocolate Chips
• Cocoa Powder
• Powdered Sugar

FREEZER

• Fruit and Berries
• Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
• Juice Concentrate
• Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
• Pie Crust
• Cookie Dough

CANNED/DRIED GOODS

• Chicken stock/broth
• Salsa
• Diced Tomatoes
• Jam/Jelly
• Peanut Butter
• Pasta Sauce
• Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
• Soups
• Tuna
• Green Chiles
• Canned Veggies
• Coffee or Tea

Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods

CONDIMENTS/SPICES

• Black Pepper
• Chili Powder
• Cinnamon
• Crushed Red Pepper
• Cumin
• Garlic Powder
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayo
• Nutmeg
• Paprika
• Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
• Soy Sauce
• Steak Sauce
• Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
• Salad Dressings

OILS/VINEGARS

• Apple cider vinegar
• Balsamic vinegar
• Coconut Oil
• Olive Oil
• Vegetable/Canola Oil
• Red Wine Vinegar
• White Vinegar
• Cooking Wine
• White Wine Vinegar

SNACKS

• Crackers
• Nuts
• Quick Oats
• Popcorn
• Tortilla Chips
• Cereal

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!

Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!

I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!

Stock Your Kitchen

Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!

Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On

Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)

Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen

Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen

Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use

26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them

What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?

Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)

How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)

Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart

How to Cut Recipes in Half