Citrus-Marinated Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Chicken thighs marinated in a zesty citrus mojo sauce and pan-seared until golden brown with a caramelized crust. This latin american-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs skin on Bone-in chicken thighs, fresh squeezed Orange juice, fresh squeezed Lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the mojo marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
  3. Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, reserving the marinade, and place skin-side down in the hot skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
  4. Step 4: Flip the chicken, pour 1/4 cup of the reserved marinade into the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and cook for another 8-10 minutes, basting occasionally, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Citrus-Marinated Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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-Marinated Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs?

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 fresh squeezed orange juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Marinated Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs?

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-Marinated Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.

What goes well with Citrus-Marinated Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs?

Latin American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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