Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs (Printer-friendly)

Juicy thighs in citrus-garlic mojo, roasted to golden perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

→ Mojo Marinade

02 - 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
03 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
04 - 1/4 cup olive oil
05 - 6 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
11 - Zest of 1 orange

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
13 - Lime wedges

# How to Prepare:

01 - Whisk together orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, smoked paprika if using, and orange zest in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken thighs to the bowl and turn to coat evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 6 hours for optimal flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange chicken thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet or roasting pan, reserving any excess marinade for basting.
04 - Roast for 30-35 minutes, basting once or twice with the reserved marinade, until skin is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley and accompany with fresh lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade transforms ordinary chicken into something that tastes like it came from a family-run Cuban restaurant
  • Its incredibly forgiving, whether you marinate for 30 minutes or let it sit all afternoon
  • The combination of citrus and garlic creates that perfect balance of bright and savory
02 -
  • Skip the plastic bag method and marinate in a glass bowl, the citrus can react with some plastics and create off flavors
  • Pat the skin dry before roasting if you want it extra crispy, excess moisture will steam instead of crisp
  • Use an instant read thermometer, 165°F is the sweet spot where the chicken is safe but still juicy
03 -
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for 20 minutes before roasting for more even cooking
  • If your garlic cloves are large, use 4 instead of 6, too much raw garlic can become bitter when marinated

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