Portions: 6 servings Calories: 616kcal |
This quick and easy jerk chicken recipe is a friendly version of the famous Jamaican chicken. Let me show you how to enjoy this spicy, tasty dish. This flavorful and tender dish is one of the most famous Caribbean chicken dishes and the most famous Jamaican chicken recipe. This recipe gives you the choice of making this dish in an oven, air fryer, or grill.
Why I ā¤ļø it ⢠Recipe ⢠Ingredients ⢠Video ⢠Preparation
Easy jerk chicken recipe.
Why I ā¤ļø it
You can have a delicious Jamaican jerk chicken meal in less than an hour. The recipe and video show how to make this amazing dish bursting with the flavors of some fiery spices. You'll love how quick and easy this Jamaican jerk chicken recipe is, and perhaps get inspired to try it.
It is a very fiery dish, so if you don't like spicy food this may not be your cup of tea. You can still eliminate the cayenne pepper, and it will be tasty, but the defining characteristic of this dish is that it is SPICY! I was aiming for an easy, quick, simple recipe for the home cook. I think I got it.
Caribbean jerk chicken recipe
This free recipe contains Amazon affiliate links, and I receive a small commission when you purchase, at no cost to you. Thank you!
Utensils and tools
Ingredients
- 12 bone-in chicken legs (thighs and drumsticks)
- Juice of 2 limes
- 4 teaspoons of cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon of ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon of allspice powder
- 1 tablespoon of dry thyme leaves
- 4 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 3 teaspoons of salt
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
Video
Preparation
Before starting, please make sure you have all the ingredients and utensils ready.
Step 1: Making the rub
In a large bowl, combine lime juice, cayenne, sugar, garlic powder, ginger powder, onion powder, allspice powder, thyme, soy sauce and salt and stir to mix well. Rub this paste on the chicken, try to get some under the skin too. Drizzle the chicken with oil.
Step 2: To cook in the oven
Pre-heat oven to 375 ĀŗC (190 ĀŗC). Place on a baking tray with a wire rack (Amazon affiliate link) skin side up. Cook in the oven for 45 minutes, or until some of the skin has blackened. Remove from the oven. See notes for safety information.
Step 3: To cook in the air fryer
Cook in pre-heated air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. First skin side down for 10 minutes, then skin side up for the remaining 10 minutes or until the skin is crispy and a bit blackened. See notes for safety information.
Step 4: To cook on the grill
Cook on medium-low (about 250°F [125 ºC]) for 45 minutes skin side down, rotate to skin side up and cook for another 45 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and a bit charred. See notes for safety information.
Jerk marinade
You can make a jerk chicken marinade (as opposed to a rub dry jerk seasoning). To do it, combine 2 Scotch bonnet peppers (or 4 habanero peppers), 5 garlic cloves, a teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves, ¼ cup of lime juice, 3 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, a pinch of ground nutmeg, a teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ cup of olive oil, and a handful of green onions. Blend in a blender or food processor.
Top tips
- This recipe, though I've tried to keep it as close to the authentic Jamaican jerk, is not necessarily the traditional one, bearing in mind that in Jamaica --like everywhere-- there are countless ways home cooks make the same dish.
- Chicken will be safe to eat when a meat thermometer reads 165°F (75°C) in the middle, or when cut all the juices run clear. I always recommend using a thermometer.
- This is SPICY! If you don't like food that is very spicy you may dial down the spiciness level of the jerk seasoning by using just a quarter of cayenne pepper powder.
- Bone-in chicken legs or drumsticks are preferred, but you can use other chicken pieces like wings or chicken breasts.
What to serve with jerk chicken
If you are wondering what side dish to serve with Jerk Chicken, I suggest that you serve it with rice with beans (which, not surprisingly, has its own equivalent in Jamaican cuisine called "rice and peas").
Nutritional information
Calories: 616kcal - Carbohydrates: 9g - Protein: 38g - Fat: 47g - Saturated Fat: 11g - Cholesterol: 221mg - Sodium: 1235mg - Potassium: 605mg - Fiber: 1g - Sugar: 2g - Vitamin A: 1575IU - Vitamin C: 9.1mg - Calcium: 33mg - Iron: 2.5mg
FAQs
What is jerk chicken sauce made of?
Jamaican jerk chicken sauce is made of a number of spices and seasonings. The main flavor comes from Scotch bonnet peppers, a tiny Caribbean hot pepper. Other spices are nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, garlic, dried thyme, and others.
What is traditionally served with jerk chicken?
Jerk chicken is traditionally served with plantains, "bammy" Ā (fried yuca patties) and sometimes rice and peas, a dish of beans and rice combined.
Print card
This is just a printer-friendly summary, some useful details are found in the recipe above.
Easy Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe + Video
Ingredients
- 12 of chicken legs (thighs and drumsticks)
- Juice of 2 limes
- 4 teaspoons of cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon of ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon of allspice powder
- 1 tablespoon of dry thyme leaves
- 4 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 3 teaspoons of salt
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
Step 1: Making the rub:
- In a large bowl, combine lime juice, cayenne, sugar, garlic powder, ginger powder, onion powder, allspice powder, thyme, soy sauce and salt and stir to mix well. Rub this paste on the chicken, try to get some under the skin too. Drizzle the chicken with oil.
Step 2: To cook in the oven:
- Pre-heat oven to 375 ĀŗC (190 ĀŗC). Place on a baking tray with a wire rack (Amazon affiliate link) skin side up. Cook in the oven for 45 minutes, or until some of the skin has blackened. Remove from the oven. See notes for safety information.
Step 3: To cook in the air fryer:Ā
- Cook in pre-heated air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. First skin side down for 10 minutes, then skin side up for the remaining 10 minutes or until the skin is crispy and a bit blackened. See notes for safety information.
Step 4: To cook on the grill:Ā
- Cook on medium-low (about 250°F [125 ºC]) for 45 minutes skin side down, rotate to skin side up and cook for another 45 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and a bit charred. See notes for safety information.
Notes
Nutrition
By Tia Clara
, published Aug 12, 2011 on
Katherine
I found this recipe on Pinterest, great taste, easy to make. I will do it agian.
Yohan
Me gusto mucho
Ma. Norita
I am Dominican and this was a little more spicy than I am used to. Ok, more than a litttle. š But it was really good. Thanks for the recipe!
Ana H.
Loved it! I liked that you were not afraid of going spicy, thanks for the recipe.
Mary
I made this and HOLY MOLY it was TOO HOT.
April
Wow, this was fantastic! I made it it was so quick and easy. The chicken had so much flavor and was absolutely delicious. Thanks so much for this great recipe!!
Tia Clara
I am glad to hear you liked it. š
Monica
How to make the Jamaican rice?
Tia Clara
I don't have that recipe. Sorry. But the closest I can offer is our this recipe for rice and beans.
Sharon
This looks amazing!
Jaime
I've wanted to try this for sooooooo long!! Thank you for the recipe!!
Carolsue
This would be pretty awesome to try.
Agnes
This is awesome! Thanks so much!
Catherine Tactuk
That looks nice Tias!
Christina Lamano
would love to have
Vivian
beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing.
Rita
I found your recipe on Pinterest. It looks great.
carmen
Tia a mi me gustan tanto estas recetas faciles, son un exito...... Por cierto tia sus recetas me han salvado el dia en muchas ocasiones.
Minorka
Love it!!
Thank You
Icelsa Mejia
One of my favorites, I always cook Dominican and Jamaican, I can make my own Jerk sauce thanks to my Jamaican husband. Para chuparse los dedos.
Marta
I have been hesitant to try the Jerk Chicken, but you have inspired me! Yay!!
Liz
The chicken looks amazing. This is a must for me. Gracias!
Ana L. Flores
Super, super easy and must taste delicious!
I used the Jamaican Jerk marinade to make grilled shrimp skewers and everyone loved the taste. Very flavorful
Jenny
Oh gosh, I want to lick my screen. The chicken looks scrumptious!
Denyse
I love jerk chicken......delicious...