Juicy mojo hen is a simple recipe loaded with Cuban-inspired taste! Take bone-in hen thighs, soak them in a punchy garlic citrus marinade, and bake till they’re crispy. It’s a tasty hen dinner for any night time of the week.
In case you love the zesty flavors of my mojo pork and mojo carne asada recipes, this model made with hen is true up your alley.
Drop what you’re doing, and get your self a bundle of hen thighs as a result of Mojo hen is on the menu! This Cuban-inspired recipe is stuffed with garlicky citrus taste, and the hen will get deliciously juicy within the oven. I at all times use skin-on hen in order that the skins flip into golden and crispy little blankets, locking in all of the zest and spice.
That is a type of versatile hen recipes you can make any time of the yr, whether or not you bake it within the oven or fireplace it up on the grill. I’ve discovered it’s the right dish for impressing friends with out spending hours within the kitchen. They at all times ask how I handle to make it so juicy and flavorful. ‘It’s within the mojo,’ I inform them.
Why You’ll Love This Mojo Hen Recipe
- Loaded with garlicky citrus taste. Mojo hen is the easiest way to show a bundle of grocery store hen thighs right into a home-cooked style of the Caribbean. All it takes is a handful of elements blitzed right into a easy, zesty sauce.
- There’s little or no prep. The mojo marinade comes collectively shortly in a blender, after which it’s a matter of passing the hen over to your fridge for marinating obligation.
- Oven-baked. I share my straightforward baking method for the most effective mojo hen that crisps up within the sizzling oven, locking in all the flavour and juices. There’s the choice to make use of your air fryer or grill, too!
What Is Mojo Sauce Made Of?
Mojo sauce is a spicy Caribbean herb sauce and marinade with minced parsley, crushed garlic, and olive oil. Cuban-inspired recipes, just like the one we’re making right here, embrace additional add-ins, like contemporary citrus, which I’ll cowl under. Scroll to the recipe card for a full printable listing of elements.
- Oil – Since there’s fairly a little bit of oil within the marinade, select a superb high quality oil with a light taste. Olive oil or avocado oil are greatest.
- Herbs and Seasonings – This recipe has cumin, dried oregano, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. I additionally chuck in a few bay leaves for good measure.
- Citrus – I make my Cuban-style mojo sauce with the zest and juice from contemporary oranges and limes. Zest the citrus earlier than you juice it.
- Garlic – I at all times say, we measure garlic with our hearts. You’ll be able to adapt the variety of cloves you utilize to style, however no matter you do, be certain that it’s contemporary garlic.
- Pink Onion – Chop up a smallish purple onion. You should utilize one other gentle onion, like yellow onion or shallot if that’s what you have got available.
What Hen Ought to I Use?
I make my mojo hen with bone-in, skin-on hen thighs. You should utilize boneless, skinless hen thighs and even hen breasts when you favor. Needless to say hen breasts cook dinner quicker than thighs. You’ll want to regulate the cooking time in order that the hen doesn’t overcook and turn into dry.
The way to Make Mojo Hen
This mojo hen recipe suits a bucketload of taste into just some straightforward steps. I adore it on weeknights as a result of it’s fast, but it surely’s simply as nice to make when we have now pals over on the weekend. Everybody raves concerning the taste!
- Begin with the garlicky citrus marinade. Add all the sauce elements to a blender, and let that run till easy.
- Marinade the hen. Subsequent, mix your hen and sauce in a big freezer bag with the bay leaves. Give {that a} fast therapeutic massage and place the hen into the fridge to marinate.
- Roast. After an hour, organize the marinated hen on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Drizzle over the marinade. Lastly, bake your mojo hen in a preheated oven at 425ºF for 35-40 minutes, till it’s cooked by.
Can I Prepare dinner This Within the Air Fryer?
You certain can. As soon as the mojo hen thighs are marinated as directed, comply with the cooking directions for my crispy air fryer hen thighs and cook dinner at 400ºF for 8-10 minutes per aspect. I additionally love grilling mojo hen within the summertime. See my grilled hen thighs recipe for straightforward grilling directions.
Recipe Ideas
- Don’t over-marinate. In contrast to pork and steak, hen is a lean meat. Because of this, it doesn’t must marinate for hours. half-hour to an hour within the fridge is loads of time for the hen to take in the sauce. Don’t go away it in a single day, in any other case the hen turns into mushy (ick!).
- Test the hen for doneness. Use a meat thermometer caught into the thickest piece of hen to test that the inner temperature reaches 165°F.
Serving Recommendations
I’ll serve this crispy mojo hen over a bowl of brown rice or jeera rice with additional minced purple onions for garnish. Get pleasure from with a veggie aspect, like grilled zucchini or salad.
I like mojo hen and rice with a aspect of chips dipped in corn salsa, washed down with a cucumber mojito for a Cuban-style lunch or dinner.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Hen
Refrigerate. Retailer leftover mojo hen in an hermetic storage container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Freeze. It’s also possible to freeze this mojo hen in an hermetic container or freezer bag. Press out as a lot air as doable and freeze for as much as 3 months. Defrost the hen within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Reheat. To reheat, heat the hen within the oven at 350ºF till sizzling all through.
Extra Hen Recipes
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Make the marinade. In a blender, mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, lime zest, orange zest, garlic, onion, orange juice, and lime juice. Mix till easy.
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Marinade the hen. Add the bay leaves and hen to a big freezer bag and pour the marinade excessive. Seal the bag and therapeutic massage the marinade into the hen. Set within the fridge for 1 hour.
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Prep. Preheat the oven to 425°F and set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
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Roast. Organize the hen on the wire rack, skin-side up. Pour the marinade over the hen. Roast for 35-40 minutes or till a meat thermometer inserted into the most important piece reads 165°F.
Energy: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 36g | Fats: 26g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 4g | Monounsaturated Fats: 16g | Trans Fats: 0.03g | Ldl cholesterol: 172mg | Sodium: 1329mg | Potassium: 641mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 188IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 3mg
Dietary information is an estimate and offered as courtesy. Values could fluctuate based on the elements and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed information.