Cuban Roasted Chicken with Passion Fruit Mojo, Crispy Yuca, and Oregano Onions

Name: Cuban Roasted Chicken with Passion Fruit Mojo, Crispy Yuca, and Oregano Onions
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Cubana
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1.75 lb peeled yuca; 1 large red onion; 6 cloves garlic; 1/2 cup orange juice; 1/2 cup passion fruit pulp; 2 tbsp lime juice; 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 3/4 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves; 1 tbsp butter

An original Cuban-inspired recipe featuring chicken thighs marinated with garlic, cumin, and orange, roasted until golden and served with a bright passion fruit mojo, crispy oven-finished yuca, and oregano onions. It balances tangy, sweet, and savory criollo flavors in a fragrant, satisfying dish.

25 minPrep

50 minCook

75 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en pieces large)
800 g peeled yuca (cut en bastones gruesos)
200 g red onion (en plumas finas)
18 g garlic (chopped or machacado, divided)
120 ml orange juice (divided)
120 ml passion fruit pulp (with or without semillas)
30 ml lime juice (fresh)
60 ml olive oil (divided)
4 g dried oregano (divided)
3 g ground cumin (divided)
2 g sweet paprika
12 g brown sugar
10 g salt (or to taste, divided)
2 g black pepper (divided)
16 g fresh cilantro leaves (chopped, divided)
15 g butter (for the yuca)

Nutrition facts

per serving

498 kcal

Calories

33 g

Protein

34 g

Carbs

25 g

Fat

4 g

Fiber

30 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

No declared allergens

Instructions

1
1. Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F. Have a large baking tray and a medium pot ready for the yuca.
2
2. Marinate the chicken in a bowl with 2/3 of the garlic, 60 ml (1/4 cup) orange juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 3/4 teaspoon cumin, the sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and half of the cilantro. Mix well and let rest for 15 minutes at room temperature.
3
3. Place the yuca in the pot with enough water to cover and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, until tender but not falling apart. Drain well, remove any tough inner fiber, and let it steam dry for 2 minutes.
4
4. Transfer the drained yuca to the baking tray. Add the butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and toss gently so it does not break apart too much.
5
5. Arrange the marinated chicken on one side of the tray and the yuca on the other side in a single layer. Roast at 220°C / 425°F for 30 minutes.
6
6. Meanwhile, make the passion fruit mojo. In a small skillet over medium heat, combine the passion fruit pulp, the remaining orange juice, lime juice, brown sugar, the remaining garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until blended and slightly thickened. Turn off the heat and set aside.
7
7. In another skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the red onion, a pinch of salt, and the remaining black pepper. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until soft and lightly golden. Add the remaining dried oregano and cook 30 seconds more.
8
8. Remove the tray from the oven and turn the yuca. Brush the chicken with half of the passion fruit mojo. Return the tray to the oven and continue roasting at 220°C / 425°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and browned at the edges.
9
9. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes out of the oven. Toss the sautéed onions with the remaining cilantro for freshness.
10
10. Serve the hot chicken with the crispy yuca, the oregano onions, and the remaining passion fruit mojo spooned over or on the side.

Chef tips

If the passion fruit pulp is very tart, add 1 extra teaspoon of brown sugar. For crispier yuca, spread it well on the tray and avoid overcrowding.

Substitutions

You can use skin-on chicken thighs for a juicier finish; just increase the cooking time by a few minutes. If you cannot find passion fruit, use extra orange juice with a bit more lime, though the flavor will be less tropical.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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Illustrative image
Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
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Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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