Mojo-Spiced Chicken with Citrus
Chicken marinated in a zesty blend of garlic, citrus, and herbs, then roasted until golden and juicy, served with a bright orange reduction. This puerto rican-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs orange juice, minced garlic, 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
- 4 (boneless, skinless, 1.2 lbs total) chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh oregano
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1, juiced lime
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine orange juice, minced garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp chopped oregano, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Step 2: Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish and coat evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor).
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange marinated chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 4: Bake for 20 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Step 5: While chicken rests, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan. Add lime juice and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Slice chicken and drizzle with the citrus sauce before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mojo-Spiced Chicken with Citrus take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 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 Mojo-Spiced Chicken with Citrus?
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 orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mojo-Spiced Chicken with Citrus?
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 Mojo-Spiced Chicken with Citrus 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 Mojo-Spiced Chicken with Citrus?
Puerto Rican 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
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
