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Mojo Chicken Legs

Juicy Mojo Chicken Legs: Your New Summer BBQ Star

These Mojo Chicken Legs are a crowd-pleasing dish bursting with flavor, perfect for summer BBQs.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Marination Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4 legs
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Cuban
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 legs Chicken leg quarters Bone-in for maximum juiciness
For the Marinade
  • 1/2 cup Olive oil Can swap for avocado oil
  • 3 cloves Garlic Roasted garlic for a milder taste
  • 1 whole Serrano pepper Omit for milder taste
  • 1/2 cup Freshly squeezed orange juice Can use lemon juice for sharper tang
  • 1 tbsp Orange zest Use lemon zest for different zestiness
  • 1 tbsp Lime zest
  • 3 tbsp Lime juice
  • 1 tbsp Ground cumin Substitute with coriander if desired
  • 1/4 cup Chopped cilantro Parsley can be used instead
  • 1/4 cup Fresh mint leaves Basil can substitute for a unique flavor
  • 1 tbsp Fresh oregano leaves Dried oregano can work in moderation
  • 1 tbsp Kosher salt Adjust to taste
  • 1/2 cup Reserved marinade For basting

Equipment

  • grill
  • Blender
  • Ziplock bag
  • meat thermometer

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Start by trimming any excess skin from the chicken leg quarters. Pat dry and place in a ziplock bag.
  2. In a blender, combine olive oil, garlic, serrano pepper, orange juice, orange zest, lime juice, cumin, cilantro, mint, oregano, and salt. Blend until smooth.
  3. Pour the marinade over the chicken legs, coat evenly, seal, and refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours.
  4. After marinating, mix the reserved marinade with additional orange and lime juice for basting.
  5. Preheat the grill to high heat, around 500°F, and clean the grates.
  6. Grill chicken legs skin-side up on the cooler side for about 10 minutes. Baste with reserved marinade and flip every 10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 185°F.
  7. Transfer chicken legs to the hotter side of the grill, skin-side down, and sear for 3-4 minutes. Tent with foil and rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1legCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 24gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Letting the chicken marinate overnight enhances the flavor even more. Maintain grill temperature at 500°F for best results.

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