Best 6 Cuban Mojo Marinade For Chicken Recipes

CUBAN MOJO CHICKEN RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large bowl, combine the orange zest, lime zest , orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic cloves, jalapeno (if using), oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
• Place the chicken into the marinade , cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. You can also do this in a large zip-top bag, but be sure to place the bag into a large bowl to safeguard against drips.
• Preheat the oven to 400 F. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on a large roasting pan. If you like, tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body to help prevent them from darkening too much.
• Roast in the oven for approximately 1 1/2 hours, or until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 F on a meat thermometer. If the breast starts to get too dark while roasting, cover loosely with a sheet of aluminum foil.
• Remove from the oven, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for about 10 minutes before carving.
• Garnish with orange and lime slices (if using) and serve with rice and black beans.

TRADITIONAL CUBAN RECIPE: CUBAN MOJO (CUBAN MARINADE)

Steps:

• Mash garlic, salt and peppercorns, using a mortar and pestle or use food processor.
• Stir in juice.
• Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes or longer at room temperature.
• *If making it without the oil - stop at this point and this makes a perfect marinade for seasoning, chicken, fish, pork &/or beef.
• Continue with preparing the mojo with oil - after you have stirred in juice add onion & oregano.
• Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes or longer at room temperature.
• In a saucepan heat olive oil to medium hot & then remove from heat.
• Whisk oil in garlic-juice mixture, until well blended.
• Stores for at least a week in the refrigerator.

CUBAN MOJO CRIOLLO (MOJO MARINADE RECIPE)

Steps:

• In a mortar and pestle, add the garlic cloves and salt. Mash both until you get a smooth paste.
• In a large mason jar, add the garlic paste, minced onion, black pepper, oregano, cumin, sour orange juice, and olive oil. Close the jar tightly with the lid and shake it until well combined. Be sure to shake well before every use.
• Feel free to taste and adjust seasoning. If you're not a fan of garlic, you can add less (maybe 5 or 6 cloves). This marinade should taste garlicky, fresh, tangy, citrusy, bright, and slightly sour. Never sweet nor spicy.
• This recipe makes approximately 2 cups of mojo marinade which will last approximately up to 3 weeks in an airtight container/mason jar. You can also freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Enjoy!

CUBAN MOJO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Remove the chicken giblets. They can be discarded or saved for other preparations like stocks or gravies. Rinse the chicken inside and out and remove any excess fat. Pat dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper (the marinade has salt and pepper as well but a whole chicken needs quite a bit of seasoning).
• In a small bowl, mix all the Cuban Mojo marinade ingredients. Place the chicken in a large bowl and pour the marinade over the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate for 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange a rack in the lower third part of the oven.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and place in a large roasting pan. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken.
• Bake the chicken for 1 hour. If the breast is getting too golden, tent a piece of aluminum foil over the breast. Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh.
• Remove from the oven and tent with aluminum foil. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. Garnish with lemon and lime slices (optional)

CUBAN MOJO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven at 350°F
• Add to the food processor, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, lime zest, cumin, oregano, salt, and black ground pepper.
• Process for 10 seconds. You don't want the sauce to become too creamy.
• Add the olive oil and process for 5 seconds, just to combine ever so slightly.
• Add the chicken and chopped onion in a large bowl.
• Pour half of the mojo sauce over the chicken and onions. Cover with cling film, and marinate in the fridge for 3 hours.
• Set aside the remaining half of the mojo sauce for later use.
• When the chicken is done marinating, add chicken and onions the the baking tray, together with the sauce it marinated in.
• Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop up the pineapple, avocado, and cherry tomatoes into small pieces and add them in a small bowl. Mix in the remaining half of Mojo sauce you saved earlier. Your salsa is ready!
• Drizzle pineapple-avocado salsa over baked chicken, serve with steamed rice and beans, and enjoy!

CUBAN-STYLE SLOW COOKER MOJO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine fruit juices, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, cumin, pepper flakes, coriander, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Pulse several times until mixture is well blended and smooth.
• Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker. Pour juice mixture over all, cover, and cook on High setting until no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, about 2 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Shred cooked chicken with two forks, adding a little liquid from the slow cooker, if desired. If serving as a main dish, remove chicken to a plate, cover, and keep warm.
• Strain liquid into a 1-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil until the liquid is reduced to 1 cup, about 10 minutes. Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir until there are no lumps. Add cornstarch mixture to the saucepan, stirring continuously. Allow mixture to boil about 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
• Remove from heat when the sauce is thickened. Adjust seasonings, if necessary. Serve whole chicken breasts with sauce, if desired.