Grilled Mofongo-Stuffed Chicken with Garlic Mojo Sauce
This Caribbean-inspired grilled chicken is stuffed with traditional mofongo made from fried plantains and garlic, served with a zesty garlic mojo sauce. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs green plantains, garlic cloves, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 3 medium green plantains
- 6 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless, about 6 oz each chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup olive oil for frying
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel and cut 3 medium green plantains into 1-inch chunks. Heat 1 cup olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Fry the plantain chunks in batches for about 5 minutes until golden and tender. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Step 2: In a mortar and pestle or food processor, mash the fried plantains with 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp butter, and 1 tsp salt until a coarse mofongo mixture forms.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Butterfly 4 boneless chicken breasts by slicing horizontally without cutting through, then stuff each with 1/4 of the mofongo mixture. Secure with toothpicks.
- Step 4: Brush the stuffed chicken breasts with 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and season with 1/2 tsp black pepper. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is cooked through with nice grill marks.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare the garlic mojo sauce by warming 1/4 cup chicken broth with 1 tbsp lime juice and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small saucepan over medium heat for 3 minutes until fragrant and slightly reduced.
- Step 6: Serve the grilled mofongo-stuffed chicken drizzled with the garlic mojo sauce and garnish with extra chopped cilantro if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Mofongo-Stuffed Chicken with Garlic Mojo Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 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 Grilled Mofongo-Stuffed Chicken with Garlic Mojo Sauce?
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 green plantains from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Mofongo-Stuffed Chicken with Garlic Mojo Sauce?
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 Grilled Mofongo-Stuffed Chicken with Garlic Mojo Sauce 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.
What goes well with Grilled Mofongo-Stuffed Chicken with Garlic Mojo Sauce?
Caribbean 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The garlic mojo sauce is amazing! My kids even ate the chicken. A new family favorite.
- ★★★★★
This was a hit at my family dinner! The mofongo stuffing was creamy and the garlic sauce was perfect. Will make again!
- ★★★★☆
Loved the flavors, but the chicken took a bit longer to grill than expected. Still delicious though.
