Grilled Mojo Chicken
It’s the time of year we fire up the grill and “get our mojo on.” Let’s do it Cuban style, with some Grilled Mojo Chicken! It’s a fantastic change from traditional all-American barbecued chicken.
In Cuban cooking, mojo applies to any sauce that is made with garlic, olive oil, and a citrus juice, traditionally bitter orange juice. We added in a few more goodies to our marinade, but you make it super plain if you like. Consider trying it also with pork roast or tenderloin too. It makes a amazing sandwich!
My mom has a beautiful citrus grove on a hillside in Southern California. I used her organic fruit, combining grapefruit, orange, and tangelo juices for my marinade. I often add lime in there too.
“Rain or shine, heat or chill, we will grill!” ~ Kira D.
Pinalicious!
Grilled Mojo Chicken
I like to let my mojo chicken marinade all day or overnight, for a light and lively citrus flavor. It’s not heavy or spicy, but you can kick up the heat, by adding some fresh chopped chiles to the mix. We throw it on the grill with some fresh pineapple and then serve it with a light, Mojo Red Cabbage Slaw for a simple tasteful meal. Seriously, it’s the juiciest chicken ever!
For the marinade:
- Start by combining all the marinade ingredients in a food processor and blend until the herbs and garlic are finely chopped. Alternatively, you can finely mince the garlic and herbs then mix all ingredients in a bowl. Place in a large ziplock bag with the chicken. Marinade all day or overnight. When you’re ready to grill, remove the chicken from the marinade and bring to room temperature.
To cook chicken using a gas grill:
- Preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then adjust heat to medium.
- For drumsticks, thighs, and wings (cooking time is longer than cooking times for charcoal grilling):
Sear chicken in 2 batches on lightly oiled grill rack, covered with lid, turning over once, until well browned, 6 to 8 minutes total. Turn off 1 burner (middle burner if there are 3) and arrange all seared chicken on rack above shut-off burner. - Cook seared chicken, covered with lid, moving chicken around grill (to avoid flare-ups) and turning over occasionally, until cooked through, 12 to 20 minutes. Transfer chicken as cooked to bowl with vinaigrette and turn to coat, then transfer to a serving platter and keep warm, loosely covered with foil.
- For chicken breast Sear chicken (in 2 batches if necessary to avoid crowding), starting with skin sides down, on grill, covered with lid, turning over once, until well browned, 8 to 10 minutes total. Turn off 1 burner (middle burner if there are 3) and arrange all breasts on rack over shut-off burner.
- Cook seared chicken, covered with lid, turning over once, until cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer chicken to platter to keep warm, loosely covered with foil.
We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! 
I love new and interesting recipes. This looks delicious and I will try it for dinner this week. Thanks!
Thanks Mary Ann. After you try it, please come back and rate our recipe. We hope you think it’s a 5 star!!!!
I live in South Florida where we only have maybe 5 cold days per year so I grill all year round. This recipe looks fanatastic!
I love that, Patricia! Even though it is cold for half of the year I still grill most of the year, too! 🙂
Wow, this looks soooo good!!! It’s making me think of summer too!
Yes Jennifer, it’s right around the corner! Thanks so much!!!
“I got my mojo working……” – this looks really good – can you come over to cook it for me, please? 🙂
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Keep wishing Andrea, depending on where you are, your dreams may come true!!!!
I love chicken and this dish looks fantastic and delicious! I also happen to LOVE grilled food! Too bad I am not allowed to grill in the condo where I live. It’s not that I have already learned how to cook, but I am slowly getting there.
Hey, we’re super proud of you Robert! Learning to cook takes time and you’re doing great. I’d request an outdoor grill with my condo board if I was you. Another idea, do you have an oven broiler? That’s definitely better than nothing!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
This is perfect recipe for lunch. 25 min. seems on point, it’s not that long. Thanks for sharing it.
You’re welcome David, thanks for visiting CK!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
This looks amazing and is definitely making it onto my grilling list this summer 🙂 can’t wait!!!
It’s raining again here. We’re trying to hold our horses, but when the sun peaks through, we’re grillin’!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
Another awesome recipe to add to my list. Chicken and pineapples togther is so delicious.
Thank you RaNesha, it’s a fun way to combine the two!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
I have chicken defrosting and everything on the list. How rare and JOYOUS! Going to attempt it tonight!
You are a star Amy! Please come back and report. We love hearing from you!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
First, we love chicken. Second, we love grilled meat. And lastly, we love either orange or lime in our food. This is definitely a hearty meal my husband and boys will surely love. The ingredients are available
In our place so preparing this is feasible.
Sounds like a win-win for your awesome family Berlin. Put on some music and dance a little while it’s on the grill for us!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
Cuban style chicken!! Yum! Love this and will be sharing it with my friends. Thanks for the great recipe!
Our best to you and your friends, Adina!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
This looks and sounds AMAZING! I can’t wait for the weather to get a bit warmer so we can fire up the grill and give it a try!
We’re with you Roxy, thanks!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
You guys are killing it with these amazing summer recipes! CAn’t wait to add more to my list!!!
Thanks, Riley. You are so sweet! Hopefully, you won’t have to search at all for new recipes this summer! 🙂
Yum! This looks absolutely amazing! I definitely want to try this!
Thanks very much Carrie, hope you love it too!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
The color of this dish just screams for summer, I love it!
Thanks so much Ester!
I am a veggie but if I rustle this up for my meat eater friends they will think that they are in heaven. Delicious.
Hey Ana, in the near future we’re going to give you some veggie ways of using this marinate, be watching!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
Another one to try from you. I tried the creamy Italian Chilly and though my sister says it was good, I feel like I need to try again.
Please let us know if we can answer questions and help you in any way Bee, with your chili. This one is a no-brainer!!!!
I LOOOOVE me some mojo!! I worked with a cuban chef who made the best mojo with tons of fresh orange juice and I’m so mad i didn’t steal his recipe! Guess I won’t have to now that I have your recipe! Thanks for sharing.
You’re right, enjoy!!!
Is that what mojo means? In our country, when we say mojo, it refers to the thick and round deep-fried potato (not chips) being served in a pizza place. Anyway, your mojo chicken looks delicious and it’s so kind of you to even share with us the recipe. I wonder if I can replicate this.
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That is so interesting Marge! I sure hope you can replicate it where you live. I would think it’s very difference from your cuisine. Thanks for sharing.
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
What an awesome new recipe! Looks so good! I cant wait to try it.
Thanks Jenn, we can’t wait to have you rate our recipe after you give it a go!
wow. looks good and yummy. looks like it’s really spring now. I can’t wait to grill and have fun with our daughter and her bird friends. Looks like cuban style dish based on the ingredients.
I really like the pineapple. It speaks spring/summer.
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You’re right about it being Cuban, although my understanding is that it originated in the Canary Islands and was brought to the Caribbean by travelers from Spain.
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
Love the tagline, “get your mojo on!” Although I have to be honest that I never really like grilled chicken, I might try this one out with pork or beef instead.. Do you think the taste will be too strong for beef, or will it also work awesome? 🙂
I love it with chicken or pork and have never tried it with beef. Give it a whirl Nicole and please let us know how you like it using beef. We so appreciate our readers and their fab feedback!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
This dish is perfect! I am currently in a guesthouse where there’s an amazing grilling facilities. Haha. And I am craving a chicken now.
It seems like all the stars have aliened for you Jessica. Cheers for you and your chicken!!!!!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
Chicken is so much favorite for both me & my husband & I always love trying out different recipes every week out of it. I have never done a grilled chicken before, but this sounds like a wonderful recipe to try out & am sure its going to awesome!
Lisa, you’ve definitely got this one. It’s different, delicious, and perfect for chicken lovers. Happy Grilling from CK!!!!!
Renée recently posted…Grilled Mojo Chicken
Yummy ! never had that before ! I’m so exited to try this 🙂 This also seems pretty healthy so no restriction haha
This recipe sounds fantastic, I love citrus marinade and yours seems very nicely balanced; perfect for summer grill ! I’m pinning this !
Denisa recently posted…Creamy Sweet Potato Hummus
I love interesting recipes. Just another great recipe to add to my list!!
This looks delicious! Love the handy ingrediants / recipe printable section too, am going to have to try this recipe soon 🙂
Thanks Charlotte!
We love grilled chicken and citrus marinade sounds just yummy. This needs a sure try. ?
Yes, try it out!
This is something my fiance would love. He loves chickend an pineapple. So these two ingredients together are perfect. If I would cook this to him, he would start to love me even more haha! Great post againnnnnn! What a blessing to read your posts.
How could he love you even more?! Only his stomach would! 🙂
OMG!!! I so love this! I had been looking for a new way to cook chicken and this one looks really yummy. Thanks a lot! As usual, your recipes are really great.
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This looks delicious!! I eat chicken everyday , it’s part of the diet I follow and shaving the same flavours over and over again do get boring. Will definitely be giving this a try, so thanks for sharing!
I love chicken and this Grilled Mojo Chicken sounds so delicious! I would love to try this recipe!!
Thanks, Jasmine!
National cuisine of my country is (although it’s really tasty) so boring. I’m so excited to find some Caribbean recipes! Combination of chicken, citrus and pineapple sound unusual but great. I love your recipes!
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OMG this grilled mojo chicken sounds and looks super delicious, somehting I may try out tomorrow, change of menu yesss!
I need to try this ASAP! Citrus marinated chicken is something I am well into! We are getting a little bored of our regular chicken recipes so I shall be rolling out the grilled mojo chicken very soon!
looks great and quite easy to prepare! I’m very curious about food of Cuba… I’m a veg though and I was told the veg food is very poor over there because of the state – food- distribution. Do you know anything about that?
I do not Sabrina, but in the next few weeks we’re going to share a veggie way to enjoy mojo, be watching!
Yummy food i feel hungry because of this food. I hope i can cook this. Thanks for sharing anyways.
No COOKING needed with this one, just a quick stir!
These chicken look and sound absolutely delicious! My husband has been looking for a grilled chicken recipe for a while. Loving the citrus and herb marinade. Trying it in a week or two! 🙂
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Great! This is a fabulous recipe! Let us know what you think!
25 mins to make this?? I might just add this to my weekly rotation
Thank you for this amazing idea. It looks so delicious!
That chicken makes me want to just stay home and cook all day! Your recipes are just out of this word!
Implementing citrus into the chicken flavors is something I never tried before but this looks amazing. My wife loves to lay lemon slices on the meats that are on the grill in the summertime. I’m gonna suggest to her some orange and pineapple now 🙂 Wonderful recipe!
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Thanks Psychic Nest! I am going to try the lemon slices on my meats next time I grill!
I cooked up up this MOJO chicken and it was juicy and delicious! I also served the MOJO cabbage slaw and it was tangy and tasty! Added a side of cilantro lime rice and it was just right!
For a twist, I baked my chicken with the sauce and it was still really good! In case you don’t have a grill. But, my guess is the grilling adds some yummy elements! I will definitely cook this again!
I have always grilled mine. Thanks so much for sharing that you baked yours and liked it. So for those of you who don’t grill, Jen says bake it!!!