Jerk Chicken Recipe – Jamaican Jerk Chicken | How to Jerk Chicken Recipes

Jerk chicken is extremely flavorful because it involves marinating the chicken in a mixture of scotch bonnet pepper, onions, garlic, ginger, lime juice, allspice berries, thyme, and salt before cooking it on the grill or frying it in oil. The end result is tender with just the right amount of heat from the peppers without being too spicy or overwhelming. Try out this recipe for making jerk chicken at home today!

Many people assume that jerk chicken is difficult to make and requires a lot of spices. However, the truth is that it’s actually quite easy to make at home, as long as you have the right ingredients on hand.

If you’ve never heard of jerk chicken before, you’re in for a treat. This marinade is so good, you might want to put it on everything! It comes from Jamaica and this chicken recipe will become your new favorite food. It’s sweet with a little bit of spice and lots of flavor. In fact, the spices used in this recipe help to fight off bacteria.

What is Jerk Chicken Recipe?

Jerk is a Jamaican cooking style in which chicken is dry-rubbed or wet-marinated with a hot spicy seasoning known as Jamaican jerk spice. However, the meat can also be beef, goat, pork, vegetables, or seafood it is spiced and cooked slowly over an open fire or grill.

If you love chicken and are looking for an exciting way to spice up your meals, then this recipe is perfect for you. Making authentic jerk chicken at home also has other benefits, such as being much healthier than eating fast food or takeout versions of this dish. Making your own also means you can adjust the heat and amount of spices to suit your tastes.

This dish is also very healthy because it uses natural oils like avocado oil instead of the more common oils found in fried foods like corn or soybean oil. The combination of spices is pretty fantastic, too. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment at the end of this article. Enjoy!

Is Jerk Chicken Healthy?

If eaten as part of a well-balanced diet rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates, Jamaican jerk chicken is one of the healthiest options. Chicken is a lean meat that is one of the healthiest selections, particularly if you choose chicken breast.

How to Make Jerk Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

• 4-pound chickens, quartered
• 1 medium onion
• 2 Scotch bonnet pepper, or habanero peppers
• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 medium scallions or Green Onions chopped
• 1 tablespoon allspice
• 1 tablespoon five-spice powder
• ½ tablespoon ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 brown sugar or Honey substituted (optional)
• Salt to taste

How to Make the Jerk Chicken Marinade

In a food processor or blender pour in the Scotch bonnet peppers, onion, green onion, ginger, thyme, veg oil, salt, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, and brown sugar, into a blender. Pulse until a roughly smooth puree is achieved with all the combinations of ingredients.

Marinate the chicken – Jerk Chicken

Lime juice should be poured over the chicken and well coated, thereafter rinse and part dry.

In a large freezer bag place, the chicken or you can use a large bowl or a baking dish to marinate it.

Apply the freshly ground jerk paste to the chicken pieces and coat thoroughly; you can use a hand glove. Cover the chicken in the pan with plastic wrap or seal the bag. Refrigerate overnight.

Instructions on How to Cook Jerk Chicken on the Grill

Remove the chicken from the marinating bag or pan when you’re ready to cook it. Fill a small saucepan halfway with the leftover marinade.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low heat and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to use as a rubbing sauce for the chicken.

Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat, then clean and oil the grates (about 400 degrees.) Using tongs and an oiled paper towel, clean the grill grates and lightly oil them.

Grill until chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes, turning occasionally (and lowering the burning temperature a little if it’s browning too quickly).

Nutrition Facts

Jerk Chicken; Fat. 16.68 g;  Calories. 280; Carbs. 3.71 g; Protein. 27.31 g; Per Serving Size, 1 piece

Is it possible to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in this recipe?

Yes. If grilling, you can as well cook this with boneless skinless chicken breasts. Marinate for like 2 hours and grill with covering overnight.

Boneless, skinless thighs should also work well here, whether grilled or roasted in the oven. Marinate for up to 12 hours if desired. Grill for 5–7 minutes per side over medium-high heat (425–450).