In South Africa, chicken wings almost always mean peri-peri. Delicious as they are, I was looking for something a little different.
After coming across a Cuban mojo pork recipe, I couldn’t stop thinking about those bold garlic and citrus flavours on chicken wings instead. I’m so glad I gave it a try. The result is a fresh, vibrant marinade that lets the chicken shine, with orange, lime and plenty of garlic working together beautifully.
These wings are wonderfully easy, too. Pop them into the marinade before you leave for work, then simply air fry them when you get home. Dinner is on the table in under 30 minutes, with hardly any effort at the end of the day.
I served these wings with my Baby Marrow & Pistachio Salad, and the combination was absolutely delicious. The fresh salad complements the citrus and garlic beautifully, making it a complete keto-friendly meal.
Cuban Mojo Chicken Wings
Bright, garlicky and bursting with fresh citrus flavour, these Cuban Mojo Chicken Wings are a refreshing change from sticky barbecue sauces. Marinated in a vibrant blend of orange, lime, garlic and herbs, then air-fried until beautifully golden, they're juicy, tender and packed with flavour. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend lunch.
Why You'll Love This Recipe- Bright, fresh citrus flavour
- Juicy, tender chicken
- Easy air fryer recipe
- Perfect for meal prep and entertaining
Ingredients
- 8 chicken wings
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 heaped tsp crushed garlic
- Peel (or zest) of 1 orange
- 2 Tbsp fresh orange juice
- Peel (or zest) of 1 lime
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, to serve
Instructions
Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towel and place them in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, crushed garlic, orange peel (or zest), orange juice, lime peel (or zest), lime juice, apple cider vinegar, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper and chilli flakes, if using.
Before pouring the marinade over the wings, reserve 1–2 Tbsp in a small bowl.
Pour the marinade over the wings and toss until they are evenly coated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for even deeper flavour.
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C.
Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. Cook for 22–25 minutes, turning halfway through, until the wings are golden brown and cooked through.
Transfer the wings to a serving platter and drizzle over the reserved marinade. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley.
Notes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving — 2 servings)
Calories: ~700 kcal
Protein: ~45 g
Fat: ~55 g
Net Carbs: ~4 g
Nutritional information provided with recipes is generated using software tools and AI-assisted calculations, and should be regarded as an estimate only.
