SHEET PAN MOJO CHICKEN AND PLANTAINS

Sheet Pan Mojo Chicken and Plantains image

Inspired by the mouthwatering Cuban mojo marinade, we blended together a mix of orange juice, lime juice, jalapeno, garlic, herbs and olive oil. (Sweet oranges add a burst of flavor and stand in for the sour oranges typically used.) Use it to marinate chicken thighs and set some aside to drizzle all over perfectly roasted chicken and plantains.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

1/4 cup fresh orange juice, plus 1 orange sliced into rounds
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 to 2 limes)
5 cloves garlic (2 smashed, 3 minced)
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup fresh mint, plus more for topping
1/2 cup fresh parsley, plus more for topping
8 small skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 green-yellow plantains, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 large red onion, cut through the root into wedges

Steps:

Combine the orange juice, lime juice, smashed garlic, jalapeno, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a blender. Puree until combined, then let sit 5 minutes. Turn the blender back on and slowly pour in 1/2 cup olive oil. Remove 1/4 cup of the mixture and set aside for the marinade. Add the mint and parsley to the remaining mixture in the blender and puree again until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Transfer the sauce to a bowl; cover and refrigerate.
Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Place in a large bowl and add the reserved 1/4 cup marinade, the minced garlic, cumin and oregano. Rub all over the chicken until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 4 hours.
Preheat the oven to 450˚ F. Let the chicken come to room temperature while the oven preheats. Toss the plantains and red onion on a rimmed baking sheet with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Spread out on the baking sheet. Nestle the chicken, skin-side up, and orange slices among the plantains and onion.
Roast until the plantains are tender when pierced with a knife, about 20 minutes. Remove the plantains to a cutting board and stand them up on a cut side. Flatten the plantains with the bottom of a measuring cup or ramekin, then return to the baking sheet, setting them flat in the pan juices.
Return the pan to the oven and roast until the chicken is browned, crisp and cooked through, 20 to 25 more minutes. Sprinkle with chopped mint and parsley; serve with the sauce.