Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Grilled Chicken
Juicy chicken marinated in a zesty citrus-guava sauce, grilled to perfection with a smoky char. This puerto rican-inspired grilling ready in about 50 minutes pairs chicken thighs, medium, juiced lime, guava paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 chicken thighs
- 2 medium, juiced lime
- 3 tbsp guava paste
- 1 small, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lime juice, 3 tbsp guava paste, 1 small diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Step 2: Place chicken thighs in a resealable bag, add the marinade, seal, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.
- Step 4: Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the skin is charred and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Baste with remaining marinade during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Grilled Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (30 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 Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Grilled Chicken?
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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Grilled Chicken?
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 Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Grilled Chicken 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 Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Grilled Chicken?
Puerto Rican grilling 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
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
