Description
A quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring chicken marinated in fresh citrus, garlic, and spices. This recipe delivers tender, juicy results in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (240 ml)
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (80 ml)
- 4–5 large cloves garlic, minced (20 grams)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin (2 grams)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (1 gram)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (6 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (1 gram)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30 ml)
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Place chicken between plastic wrap and pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
- In a large bowl, whisk together orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and vegetable oil. Add orange zest and whisk until emulsified.
- Place chicken in a zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring full coverage. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours (do not exceed 4 hours).
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with oil, or preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high.
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Cook in the hot skillet or on the grill for 5-6 minutes per side, until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Slice chicken against the grain and serve with pan juices.
Notes
For best results, use fresh citrus juice. Do not marinate for more than 4 hours as the acid can make the texture mushy. Reserve some marinade before adding to raw chicken to boil for a sauce. Ensure chicken is pounded to even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cuban
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Cuban chicken, juicy chicken, citrus marinade, weeknight dinner, easy chicken recipe, gluten-free dinner, Latin food