Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Mofongo Mash
Tender chicken thighs bathed in a bright orange-lemon glaze, served atop creamy mashed green plantains with garlic and smoky pork cracklings. This puerto rican-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 60 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, medium green plantains, smoked pork cracklings for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs bone-in chicken thighs
- 4 medium green plantains
- 3 tbsp smoked pork cracklings
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1.5 lbs chicken thighs with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add chicken skin-side down, and cook for 6 minutes until golden brown—flip and cook 4 minutes more; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: While chicken cooks, peel and dice 4 medium green plantains into 1-inch pieces. Boil in salted water for 15 minutes until tender, then drain and mash with 3 tbsp smoked pork cracklings, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1/4 cup water until smooth.
- Step 3: Return skillet to medium heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 cup orange juice, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened, then add cooked chicken and simmer 10 minutes more until sauce coats chicken and reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: Serve chicken over mofongo mash, spooning excess sauce over top, and garnish with extra garlic if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Mofongo Mash take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Mofongo Mash?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Mofongo Mash?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Mofongo Mash for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Mofongo Mash gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 35-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
