• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Lifestyle
  • Subscribe

BEYOND THE NOMS

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Lifestyle
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • Lifestyle
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Beyond the Noms » Chicken

    Published: Apr 15, 2021 | Modified: Nov 16, 2021 by Jenny | Leave a Comment

    Jerk Chicken

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The most flavorful and tender jerk chicken made with tons of fragrant spices. Slightly sweet, sour, spicy and amazingly delicious. Serve it with rice and beans, sautéed cabbage or fried plantains!

    Jerk Chicken

    What is Jerk Chicken?

    Jerk chicken is a popular Jamaican and Caribbean dish. Jerk is a style of cooking where meat is coated in spices and grilled slowly over a fire.

    I love using our charcoal grill for smoky flavor and recommend brushing the chicken with extra marinade while grilling. The result is juicy tender meat with the perfect amount of spicy kick and char.

    I also love roasting the chicken in the oven and recommend using a baking dish big enough to lay the chicken out in a single layer so the chicken can brown evenly and cook in the marinade.

    The benefit of roasting is you can spoon the extra sauce over the chicken and rice. SO GOOD.

    Jerk Chicken Ingredients

    Jerk Chicken Ingredients

    This recipe has a lot of ingredients, mostly spices, but I promise your taste buds will thank you and it will be worth it!

    • Chicken thighs and drumsticks
    • Scallions
    • Onion- yellow or white
    • Garlic
    • Ginger- fresh, powder can be substituted
    • Habanero or scotch bonnet peppers- jalapeño can be used
    • Soy sauce
    • Salt & pepper
    • Brown sugar
    • Thyme- fresh or use 1 tsp dried
    • Five spice powder, allspice and nutmeg
    • Lime juice- vinegar can be substituted
    Habanero Peppers

    Peppers

    Jerk chicken is usually made with scotch bonnet peppers but they are hard to find. Habanero peppers are a close second. In this recipe I used one habanero for medium spice but if you love spicy food, use two or three.

    Jalapeño peppers can also be used but you will need more to achieve the same spice level.

    • Jerk Chicken Marinade
    • Jerk Chicken Marinade

    To Marinate or Not to Marinate?

    The traditional way of making jerk chicken to marinate the chicken overnight. If you have the time, I highly recommend it. BUT I tried this recipe one day without marinating and wow it tasted just as good!

    • Jerk Chicken Thighs & Legs
    • Jerk Chicken Marinated

    Tips for the Best Jerk Chicken

    • Use bone in skin on chicken thighs and/or legs for maximum flavor and tender chicken.
    • Use gloves to rub the marinade into the chicken to keep the oils from the peppers from sticking to your hands.
    • When grilling, keep the temperature medium-low to cook the chicken evenly without burning. Brush extra marinade on the chicken while grilling.
    • After oven roasting, skim off the excess fat and drizzle extra sauce on the chicken and rice when serving!
    Jerk Chicken

    Sides to serve with Jerk Chicken

    • Coconut rice
    • Rice and beans
    • Fried plantains
    • Mango salsa
    jerk chicken

    Jerk Chicken

    The most flavorful and tender jerk chicken made with tons of fragrant spices. Slightly sweet, sour, spicy and amazingly delicious. Serve it with rice and beans, sautéed cabbage or fried plantains!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Entrée
    Cuisine Jamaican
    Servings 8
    Calories 403 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3-4 pounds bone in skin on chicken thighs and legs
    • 3 scallions
    • 1/2 onion
    • 4 garlic cloves
    • 1 inch ginger
    • 1 habanero or scotch bonnet pepper
    • 1/4 cup soy sauce
    • 1/4 cup lime juice
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon five spice powder
    • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
    • 1 teaspoon allspice
    • 1/2 teapoon nutmeg
    • 1 cup water

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400°F. Place chicken in a baking dish skin side up and set aside. Add the remaining ingredients into a blender or food processer and blend until smooth. Coat the chicken in the marinade. Optional: Marinate for 2 hours or overnight.
    • Bake for 45 minutes then broil for a few minutes to brown the chicken. Skim off the fat and drizzle extra sauce over the chicken.
    • Grilled Jerk Chicken: Preheat grill to 400°F and grill the chicken for 30-40 minutes until cooked through. Turn the chicken every 5-10 minutes and brush with marinade while grilling.

    Notes

    • Use gloves to rub marinade into the chicken.
    • One habanero provides a medium level of spice. Use two for extra heat.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Calories: 403kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 29gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 167mgSodium: 686mgPotassium: 437mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 241IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword chicken, easy recipe, grilled, jerk chicken, oven roasted
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @beyondthenoms on Instagram and hashtag #beyondthenoms so I can see your creations!

    More Chicken

    • Easy Creamy Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta
    • Creamy Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Spinach
    • Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Chicken with Mozzarella Cheese
    • Crispy Pan Seared Salt and Pepper Chicken Thighs

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I Quit My Job to Food Blog

    I'm so happy you're here! I love eating and spending time in my natural habitat, the kitchen. Food is my love language and I love making food and sharing with friends and family. You'll find recipes inspired by my Asian background, restaurants, and other cultures.

    More about me →

    Trending

    • Million Dollar Candied Bacon
    • Instant Pot Vietnamese Beef Pho Noodle Soup
    • Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
    • Rustic No Knead Bread
    • Creamy Peanut Butter Noodles
    • World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie

    Categories

    • Appetizers
    • Asian
    • Chicken
    • Entrées

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2021 BeyondTheNoms | All Rights Reserved | Design by Feast