Cuban Roasted Chicken with Sour Orange Mojo, Parsley Green Rice and Garlic Tostones
Cuban Food
Intermediate

Cuban Roasted Chicken with Sour Orange Mojo, Parsley Green Rice and Garlic Tostones

An original Cuban recipe featuring chicken thighs marinated in a sour orange mojo with garlic and oregano, then roasted until golden and juicy. It is served with aromatic parsley green rice and crispy garlic tostones for a flavorful, home-style Caribbean meal.

30 minPrep
50 minCook
80 minTotal
4Servings
Dairy-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings
4
  • 900 g bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (approx. 4 a 6 pieces)
  • 180 ml sour orange juice (si no consigues, ver sustituciones)
  • 24 g garlic (6 cloves for the chicken, 2 for the tostones)
  • 45 ml olive oil (divided)
  • 2 g dried oregano
  • 2 g ground cumin
  • 10 g salt (divided or to taste)
  • 2 g black pepper (divided)
  • 150 g white onion (en plumas finas, divided)
  • 200 g long-grain white rice (enjuagado)
  • 480 ml chicken broth (for the arroz)
  • 30 g fresh parsley (solo leaves and stalks tiernos)
  • 1 unit bay leaf
  • 600 g green plantains (pelados)
  • 750 ml vegetable oil for frying (approximate, for frying)
  • 30 ml water (for machacar the tostones with the ajo)

Nutrition facts

per serving

720 kcal
Calories
34 g
Protein
54 g
Carbs
40 g
Fat
4 g
Fiber
50 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

    1. In a large bowl, combine the sour orange juice, 6 crushed garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil, oregano, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and half of the white onion. Add the chicken thighs and coat them well in the mojo. Marinate for 20 minutes under refrigeration.

  2. 2

    2. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the chicken thighs with the marinade and onion in a baking dish. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes at 425°F (220°C), turning once halfway through, until the chicken is golden and fully cooked.

  3. 3

    3. While the chicken roasts, make the green rice. Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the remaining white onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.

  4. 4

    4. Add the white rice to the saucepan and stir for 1 minute to lightly toast it. Blend the chicken broth with the fresh parsley until smooth and evenly green. Pour this mixture into the saucepan, then add the bay leaf, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

  5. 5

    5. Bring the rice to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and fluff the rice with a fork.

  6. 6

    6. For the tostones, cut the green plantains into thick rounds about 1 1/4 inches thick. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 325°F (165°C). Fry the rounds for 4 to 5 minutes until tender but not too browned. Drain on paper towels.

  7. 7

    7. Mash 2 garlic cloves with the water and a pinch of salt to make a light garlic mixture. Flatten each plantain round with a tostonera or the bottom of a glass. Lightly brush both sides with the garlic mixture.

  8. 8

    8. Raise the oil temperature to 375°F (190°C). Fry the flattened plantains for 2 to 3 minutes more until crisp and golden at the edges. Remove, drain, and season with the remaining salt.

  9. 9

    9. Serve each portion with roasted chicken thighs, some of the onion and pan juices from the mojo, parsley green rice, and freshly made garlic tostones.

Chef tips

For deeper browning on the chicken, you can switch on the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes at the end, watching closely so it does not burn. The rice will be fluffier if rinsed until the water runs almost clear.

Substitutions

If you do not have sour orange juice, use 120 ml orange juice plus 60 ml lime or lemon juice. You can substitute boneless chicken thighs, reducing the roasting time to 25-30 minutes at 425°F (220°C).

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: Countertop blenderIllustrative image

    Ninja Professional BL610 Blender

    Smoothies, sauces and soups

    • Smoothies, sauces and soups
    • Easy-to-wash jar
    • Check the power and jar size
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Air fryerIllustrative 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
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Digital kitchen thermometerIllustrative 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
    View on Amazon

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