The boom in Cuban dishes encourages each person to recreate each recipe as much as possible, adding their own unique touch. Then, if the cook is lucky and has a good hand, the recipe is remembered as «the family dish». A clear example is, without a doubt, roast chicken in the oven. As we know, within the island it is very common to use chicken as a very important part of the main course section, so it becomes the best friend of the side dishes.
Oven-roasted, boiled or fried chicken: any way of cooking chicken differs from the others, each with its own taste and touch of spices that make it feel special.
However, the oven-roasted chicken has something that sets it apart from the rest. Its cooking method and the fact that it is a favorite in Cuban homes give this dish an endless number of sensations. If you want to continue investigating flavors in the kitchen and, above all, you were wondering how to roast chicken, this recipe is especially for you. Enjoy being Cuban with Mandao!
Ingredients to make the roasted chicken:
Justified by its flavor, this Cuban roast chicken dish does not need many ingredients to shine. The important thing is to select the size of the chicken, remember that it is not necessary a whole chicken, you can also use small portions.
We are glad that by making it and tasting it at home you will be able to better understand what we are talking about! Now, let‘s get to the ingredients of the oven roasted chicken.
- A chicken
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- One tablespoon of parsley, previously chopped
- A pinch of thyme
- One tablespoon pepper
- Salt to taste
Remember that these products and many more can be found at El Mercadito!
How to make baked chicken?
Once we have prepared all the ingredients of the recipe, we can start preparing this delicious roasted chicken in the oven. You can go back and check if you have forgotten anything! In Mandao we have the best ingredients to give that unique flavor to your Cuban style chicken.
- In the first step we are going to prepare the most important thing, the heart of the flavor inside our oven roasted chicken. We will make a marinade for roast chicken, a mixture of spices to give the dish the support it needs to release its flavor 100%. While the ingredients for roast chicken are basic and simple, we need them to give taste to this Cuban recipe.
In a small bowl add the previously crushed garlic cloves, the juice of the lemons, vinegar, parsley, thyme and salt. Then we will integrate well to mix the spices and reserve on the side.
- It is time for the protagonist, our beloved chicken, which will be roasted in the oven. We place it in a tray or dish so that we can marinate it, in this step you must be careful so that the ingredients do not spill. Once we prick the chicken with a knife, we will proceed to pour our preparation inside it.
- Pour over all parts of the chicken, then let it rest for a few minutes. In this step, while the chicken takes flavor, we are going to turn on the oven at 180° to give it some heat.
- Insert the chicken in the oven and let it cook for one hour. In case you see that your chicken takes a golden color, you can turn it over to cook the other side. Keep in mind that the key to flavor in the Cuban oven roasted chicken recipe is its color.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and serve with your favorite side dish.
What is the best side dish for roasted chicken recipes?
Among the best accompaniments to Cuban dishes we have rice on the podium, a simple garnish that fits any recipe and enhances the prominence that the «star of the dish» deserves.
In the oven roasted chicken you can count many garnishes that make your dish the master of flavor, it is not necessary that you always choose the same one. Dare to try new flavors! Our best recommendations to make your Cuban-style chicken look extravagant are the following:
– Potatoes
Potatoes never fail. They are very tasty and their cooking can vary according to the taste you prefer to give them. In this case, we share with you a secret so that potatoes can be the best accompaniment to your dish.
Before cooking the oven-roasted chicken, send a baking dish with potatoes and a little oil on top to the oven. Once they are soft, you can remove them and place the chicken on top and send it back to the oven. This will ensure that the potatoes absorb some of the flavor, making your recipe 100% tastier!
– Salad
If you are one of those people who love green on your plate, this recipe is perfect for you. The mix of flavor inside the chicken and the salad gives a unique touch. While the protagonist is the oven roasted chicken, a little vinegar to your salad will give your mouth an explosion of tastes.
– Golden vegetables
Looking for a healthy option but still a delicious one? This option is for you. You can add to your baked chicken recipe the flavor of carrots, pumpkin, tomatoes and many other roasted vegetables. Believe us it is a great alternative if you like to innovate within your traditional dishes.
Want to add more ingredients to your roasted chicken?
As you have seen in the title, many times the oven roasted chicken can have other ingredients so that you can perfect your recipe. We won’t leave without giving you the best tips to make your oven-roasted chicken perfect.
Butter is usually a great boost to give the roasted chicken a juicy flavor, the result is extremely exquisite. If you are daring and want to go for more extreme flavors, we recommend a little paprika or paprika in the marinade, these spices will generate that the baked chicken can release its juices more quickly.
If you want to cook chicken with other types of cooking, we recommend that you read about our recipes for how to make rice with Cuban chicken and how to make chicken in Cuban style sauce.
If after reading this article you have been left with the desire to try it but don’t feel like doing it, come to Mandao and enjoy a delicious roasted chicken with us!