Easy Mojo Chicken thighs come off the grill with charred edges and a flavor that hits you right away bright lime, sweet orange, and garlic all tangled up with fresh herbs. I first made this on a random Tuesday when I needed dinner fast, and now it's the recipe I turn to whenever I want something that tastes like I tried harder than I did.
The marinade comes together in minutes, and the Easy Mojo Chicken practically cooks itself while you set the table or make Easy Olivier Potato Salad recipe on the side. The smell alone citrus, cumin, and charred Easy Mojo Chicken will have everyone wandering into the kitchen asking when it'll be ready. Pair it with Easy Tomato Bisque Soup recipe or wrap it up in warm tortillas with a little Healthy Chicken Salad with Fresh Apples recipe , and you've got a meal that feels special without the fuss .
Why You'll Love This Easy Mojo Chicken
This easy mojo chicken checks all the boxes when you need a dinner that's quick, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing. Here's why it works:
It's simple. The marinade takes five minutes to blend, and the Easy Mojo Chicken does all the work while it soaks up the flavors.
It's flexible. Marinate for an hour or up to a full day. Grill it, pan-sear it, or even bake it if the weather's not cooperating.
It's naturally healthy. Boneless Easy Mojo Chicken thighs stay juicy on the grill, and the fresh citrus marinade means you're getting tons of flavor without any heavy sauces or added sugar.
Everyone loves it. The tangy, garlicky, citrus-forward taste appeals to picky eaters and adventurous eaters alike. Plus, it's the kind of dish that makes weeknight dinners feel a little more special.
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Easy Mojo Chicken Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make this Easy Mojo Chicken recipe. Most of it you probably already have in your kitchen.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredients Quantities
Marinade & Sauce
- Garlic: Adds bold, savory depth to the marinade and infuses the Easy Mojo Chicken with that classic mojo flavor.
- Shallot: Brings a mild, sweet onion flavor that blends smoothly into the sauce.
- Cilantro leaves: Fresh and bright, cilantro gives the marinade its signature herbaceous flavor.
- Fresh mint leaves: Adds a subtle coolness that balances the citrus and spice.
- Kosher salt: Seasons the Easy Mojo Chicken and helps the marinade penetrate the meat.
- Ground cumin: Earthy and warm, cumin adds depth and a hint of smokiness.
- Dried oregano: A staple in Cuban cooking, oregano brings herbal, slightly peppery notes.
- Orange zest: Concentrated citrus oil from the peel adds bright, aromatic flavor.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice: Tenderizes the Easy Mojo Chicken and brings natural sweetness to the marinade.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice: Tangy and sharp, lime juice balances the sweetness and adds acidity.
- Lime zest: Intensifies the citrus flavor and adds a pop of freshness.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Helps the marinade coat the Easy Mojo Chicken evenly and keeps it moist during grilling.
Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Stay juicy and tender on the grill, and soak up the marinade beautifully. Thighs are more forgiving than breasts and won't dry out as easily.
How to Make Easy Mojo Chicken
Prepare the marinade: Toss the garlic, shallot, cilantro, mint, salt, cumin, oregano, orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, lime zest, and olive oil into your blender. Blend until it's smooth and bright green, about 30 to 45 seconds. The smell of fresh citrus and garlic will fill your kitchen.
Reserve sauce: Pour about ⅓ cup of the marinade into a small bowl and set it aside. This reserved portion will be your dipping sauce later, so keep it separate from the raw chicken.
Marinate the chicken: Place the Easy Mojo Chicken thighs in a gallon-sized ziplock bag and pour in the rest of the marinade. Seal the bag, squish everything around until the chicken is coated, and toss it in the fridge. Let it sit for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours if you want even more flavor.
Prepare to grill: Pull the Easy Mojo Chicken out of the fridge about 15 to 20 minutes before you plan to cook it, so it can come to room temperature. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates so the chicken doesn't stick.
Grill the chicken: Lay the Easy Mojo Chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. You'll know they're done when the internal temperature hits at least 165°F and the edges are nicely charred. If you're using breasts instead, aim for 150 to 155°F so they stay juicy.
Make the sauce: While the Easy Mojo Chicken rests, pour the reserved marinade into a non-stick skillet and bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat. Let it reduce for 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly and the raw garlic flavor mellows out.
Serve: Transfer the Easy Mojo Chicken to a serving platter, drizzle the reduced sauce over the top, and scatter fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges around it. Serve with cilantro lime rice, black beans, or your favorite salad, and dig in.
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is pretty flexible, so feel free to adjust based on what you have on hand.
Chicken: Swap boneless thighs for Easy Mojo Chicken breasts if you prefer white meat. Just keep an eye on the temperature and pull them off the grill at 150 to 155°F so they don't dry out. Bone-in chicken works too, but it'll need a few extra minutes on the grill.
Citrus: If you don't have fresh oranges, bottled orange juice works in a pinch. Fresh is always better, but use what you've got. You can also swap in grapefruit juice for a more tart, floral twist.
Herbs: No fresh mint? Leave it out or use extra cilantro. Fresh parsley works too if you want something milder.
Heat: Add a chopped jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade if you like things spicy.
Cooking method: No grill? Sear the chicken in a hot skillet with a little oil, or bake it at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through.
Equipment For Easy Mojo Chicken
You don't need anything fancy to make this easy chicken dinner, just a few basics:
- Blender: For blending the marinade until smooth. A food processor works too.
- Chef's knife and cutting board: For prepping the garlic, shallot, and herbs.
- Gallon-sized ziplock bag: Makes marinating easy and keeps cleanup minimal.
- Grill: A gas or charcoal grill works perfectly. You can also use a grill pan on the stove.
- Non-stick skillet: For reducing the reserved marinade into a sauce.
- Serving platter: To present your beautiful orange lime chicken with style.
Storage and Reheating
This marinated chicken recipe keeps well and actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to settle.
Refrigerator: Store leftover Easy Mojo Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the sauce in a separate container if you have any left.
Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Warm the chicken gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or chicken broth to keep it moist. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, covered with a damp paper towel.
Expert Tips
Marinate overnight if you can. The longer the Easy Mojo Chicken sits in the marinade, the more flavor it absorbs. If you've got the time, let it go for a full 24 hours.
Don't skip the room temperature step. Letting the chicken sit out for 15 to 20 minutes before grilling helps it cook more evenly and keeps the inside from being cold when the outside is done.
Oil your grill grates. A little oil on the grates prevents sticking and gives you those beautiful char marks.
Use a meat thermometer. It's the easiest way to avoid overcooking. Thighs are done at 165°F, breasts at 150 to 155°F.
Reduce the reserved marinade. Don't skip this step. Cooking the marinade kills any bacteria from the raw chicken and concentrates the flavors into a delicious sauce.
Rest the chicken. Let it sit for a few minutes after grilling so the juices redistribute. It'll be more tender and juicy when you cut into it.
FAQ
What goes well with mojo chicken?
Mojo chicken pairs beautifully with cilantro lime rice, black beans, grilled vegetables, warm tortillas, or a simple green salad. I also love serving it with fried plantains or roasted sweet potatoes for a heartier meal. The citrus and garlic flavors play nicely with almost anything fresh and bright.
What is a mojo chicken?
Mojo chicken is a Cuban-inspired dish where chicken is marinated in a tangy, garlicky sauce made with citrus juice (usually orange and lime), garlic, cumin, and fresh herbs. The marinade is called "mojo," and it tenderizes the meat while infusing it with bold, zesty flavor. It's typically grilled or pan-seared, and it's one of those dishes that tastes way more complicated than it actually is.
How long to marinade mojo chicken?
You can marinate mojo chicken for as little as 1 hour or up to 24 hours. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful and tender the chicken becomes. If you're short on time, even 30 minutes will give you decent results, but I recommend at least an hour for the best flavor. Just don't go past 24 hours, or the acid in the citrus can start to break down the texture of the meat.
What is mojo sauce made of?
Mojo sauce is made with fresh citrus juice (orange and lime), garlic, shallot or onion, fresh herbs like cilantro and mint, olive oil, and spices like cumin and oregano. Everything gets blended together until smooth, and the result is a bright, tangy, garlicky sauce that's perfect for marinating chicken, pork, or even drizzling over rice and vegetables. It's simple, fresh, and packed with flavor.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Easy Mojo Chicken
Easy Mojo Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Combine garlic, shallot, cilantro, mint, salt, cumin, oregano, orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, lime zest, and olive oil in a blender and process until smooth. prep
- Place chicken in a gallon-sized ziplock bag and pour remaining marinade over it. Seal and toss until fully coated. prep
- Refrigerate chicken for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor. prep
- Remove chicken from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while preheating the grill. prep
- Place chicken on the hot grill and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until internal temperature reaches 165°F for thighs (150-155°F for breasts). bake
- Transfer reserved marinade to a non-stick skillet and simmer over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened. cook
- Move grilled chicken to a serving platter, drizzle with the reduced sauce, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro and lime wedges. finish
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