Garlic Citrus Cuban Mojo Roast Chicken Thighs
Chef & Safety Quick Answer: Cuban mojo chicken marinates bone-in chicken thighs in bitter Seville orange juice, crushed garlic, cumin, and oregano before roasting over ...
Cook Garlic Citrus Cuban Mojo Roast Chicken Thighs for 40 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 175°F–180°F (Safe at 165°F). Rest for 10–15 Mins before slicing so juices redistribute and carryover heat reaches full USDA FSIS food safety standards.
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| Recipe | Garlic Citrus Cuban Mojo Roast Chicken Thighs |
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Cuban mojo chicken marinates bone-in chicken thighs in bitter Seville orange juice, crushed garlic, cumin, and oregano before roasting over sweet sliced onions at 400°F (204°C). The citrus garlic juices caramelize into a savory pan sauce.
Recipe Overview & Cooking Metrics
| Prep Time | 15 minutes | Cook Time | 40 minutes |
| Total Time | 60 minutes | Servings | 4 servings |
| Calories / Serving | 440 kcal | Protein / Serving | 38g |
| Cuisine | Cuban Classic | Category | Roast |
Equipment Needed
- 9×13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish
- Small mixing bowl and whisk
- Oven preheated to 400°F (204°C)
- Digital probe meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup sour orange juice (naranja agria) or 1/3 cup fresh orange juice mixed with 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 8 cloves garlic, finely minced or mashed into a paste
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large white onion, sliced into thick rings
- Cuban black beans (frijoles negros) and white rice (moros y cristianos) for serving
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together citrus juice, minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to create Cuban mojo marinade.
- Scatter sliced onion rings evenly across bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side up over the onions. Pour mojo marinade evenly over chicken and under the skin. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Roast chicken uncovered at 400°F (204°C) for 35 to 40 minutes, basting once with pan juices at 20 minutes.
- Switch oven to Broil on High for 2 to 3 minutes to crisp skin until blistered and golden brown.
- Verify internal temperature reaches 175°F (79°C) in the thickest part of the thigh with an instant-read probe.
- Transfer chicken to a platter, spoon sweet roasted mojo onions and citrus pan juices over top, and serve with warm black beans and fluffy white rice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Make your own sour orange substitute by mixing 2 parts fresh orange juice with 1 part fresh lime juice and 1 part fresh grapefruit juice to replicate genuine tropical acidity.
The onions act as a natural roasting rack, elevating chicken so hot air crisps the skin while onions caramelize in dripping citrus fat, creating a savory condiment.
Yes. Marinate chicken in mojo sauce in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours before roasting for deeper garlic citrus penetration.
Method
The key details are in the summary above.
Essential Benchmarks for Perfect Poultry
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Safe Pull Temp
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Resting Time Formula
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Salt Ratio & Timing
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Crispy Skin Science
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Nutrition per serving
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