Description
Easy Mojo Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful grilled chicken dish marinated in a zesty blend of citrus, garlic, herbs, and spices. This recipe uses a fresh mojo marinade made with orange and lime juices, cilantro, mint, garlic, and cumin, resulting in juicy, tender chicken thighs grilled to perfection. The reserved marinade is reduced into a tangy dipping sauce, adding an extra layer of deliciousness, perfect for serving alongside rice, beans, and fresh salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Sauce
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 medium shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
- ½ cup cilantro leaves, packed (plus more for serving)
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, packed
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
- 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 large orange, zested
- 1 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- ⅓ cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 large lime, zested
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Main
- 3 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a blender, combine garlic, shallot, cilantro leaves, fresh mint, kosher salt, ground cumin, dried oregano, orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, lime zest, and extra virgin olive oil. Blend until the marinade is smooth and well combined. Pour ⅓ cup of the prepared marinade into a small bowl and set it aside for the dipping sauce.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a gallon-sized ziplock bag. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, and toss gently to coat each piece thoroughly. Refrigerate the marinating chicken for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours to absorb the flavors fully.
- Prepare the Grill and Cook Chicken: Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature while you preheat your grill. Heat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Place chicken thighs on the preheated grill and cook for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F for safe consumption.
- Make the Mojo Sauce: Pour the reserved ⅓ cup of marinade into a non-stick skillet. Heat over medium-high heat and reduce for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly, enhancing the concentrated flavors.
- Serve: Transfer grilled chicken to a serving platter. Drizzle the thickened mojo sauce over the chicken. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges. Serve this vibrant chicken with accompaniments like lime cilantro rice, beans, and your favorite salad. Enjoy!
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight to let the citrus and herbs fully tenderize the meat.
- Ensure the grill is well oiled to prevent chicken from sticking and tearing.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- If you don’t have fresh mint, you can substitute with fresh parsley, but mint adds a key fresh aroma to the mojo.
- Chicken breasts can be used but watch for a lower temperature range of 150-155°F to prevent drying out.
- The reserved marinade must be cooked before serving to avoid any risk from raw chicken juices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Keywords: mojo chicken, grilled chicken, citrus marinade, Caribbean chicken, easy chicken recipe, chicken thighs, mojo sauce
