Cuban Mojo Chicken with Mandarin Black Bean Salad
Elevate your dinner table with this vibrant and zesty Cuban Mojo Chicken with Mandarin Black Bean Salad! This recipe features juicy, marinated chicken thighs infused with the bold flavors of garlic, fresh citrus juices, cumin, and oregano, perfectly seared for a golden crisp and finished in the oven for a tender, flavorful bite. Paired with a refreshing mandarin black bean salad—a medley of sweet mandarin segments, hearty black beans, crunchy red bell pepper, and aromatic cilantro tossed in a tangy honey-lime dressing—this dish strikes the perfect balance between richness and brightness. Ready in under an hour with minimal prep, it’s an easy, delicious way to bring Cuban-inspired cuisine to your kitchen! Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with its vibrant presentation and irresistible flavor.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 pieces Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves (minced)
- 3 tablespoons Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 tablespoons Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Cumin (ground)
- 1 teaspoon Oregano (dried)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Black beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup Mandarin oranges (segments, fresh or canned)
- 1 cup Red bell pepper (diced)
- 0.25 cup Red onion (finely chopped)
- 0.25 cup Cilantro (fresh, chopped)
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice (for salad)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil (for salad dressing)
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt (for salad seasoning)
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (for salad seasoning)
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together minced garlic, freshly squeezed orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to create the mojo marinade.
Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the mojo marinade over the chicken, ensuring that all pieces are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
While the chicken marinates, prepare the Mandarin Black Bean Salad. In a large bowl, combine black beans, mandarin orange segments, diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and fresh cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper to make the salad dressing. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss to coat, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. Discard the used marinade.
Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip the chicken thighs over and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve the Cuban Mojo Chicken alongside the chilled Mandarin Black Bean Salad for a fresh and vibrant meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2897 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 198.6 g | 255% | |
| Saturated Fat | 48.5 g | 242% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 729 mg | 243% | |
| Sodium | 4165 mg | 181% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 111.2 g | 40% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.6 g | 95% | |
| Total Sugars | 46.7 g | ||
| Protein | 184.3 g | 369% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 395 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 17.6 mg | 98% | |
| Potassium | 3450 mg | 73% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
