Sautéed Chicken with Caramelized Plantains and Mojo

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs simmered with golden plantains and a vibrant garlic-herb sauce, capturing the essence of Puerto Rican home cooking. This puerto rican-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 4.3 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down and cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown, flipping to cook 5 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet. Add plantain slices and cook 4-5 minutes per side until caramelized and golden. Remove and set aside with chicken.
  4. Step 4: Return skillet to medium heat, add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in chicken broth, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer 2 minutes until sauce reduces slightly.
  5. Step 5: Stir in chopped cilantro and oregano. Return chicken and plantains to skillet, cooking 2 minutes to absorb flavors and heat through.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Caramelized Plantains and Mojo take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Sautéed Chicken with Caramelized Plantains and Mojo?

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 tablespoons olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Caramelized Plantains and Mojo?

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 Sautéed Chicken with Caramelized Plantains and Mojo 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 Sautéed Chicken with Caramelized Plantains and Mojo?

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.

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