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.
By - Revised . Original Aug 12, 2011.
Easiest Jerk Chicken [Video+Recipe] 3 Ways.
Why we ❤️ it
- You can have a delicious Jamaican jerk chicken meal ready in less than an hour.
- You'll love how quick and easy this recipe for this typical Jamaican dish is, and it might inspire you to try it.
- This recipe gives you the option of making this dish in the oven, air fryer, or on the grill.
- It's a very spicy dish, so if you don't like spice, you can leave out the cayenne pepper, and it will still be flavorful, but the defining characteristic of this dish is that it is SPICY.
- I wanted an easy, quick, and simple recipe for the home cook. I think I've achieved that.
Easiest Jerk Chicken [Video+Recipe] 3 Ways
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
- Grill or
- Air fryer or
- Baking tray with wire rack (if you cook it in the oven)
Ingredients
- 12 chicken legs, (thighs and drumsticks)
- Juice of 2 limes
- 4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, (optional)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon allspice powder
- 1 tablespoon dry thyme leaves
- 4 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
Video
Preparation
1. Make the seasoning
In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, cayenne pepper, sugar, garlic powder, ginger powder, onion powder, allspice powder, thyme, soy sauce, and salt, and stir to combine.
2. Season the meat
- Rub this paste into the chicken, trying to get some under the skin as well.Drizzle the chicken with oil.
3. Cook
- ⚠️ Cook using one of these methods. See the notes for safety tips for cooking chicken.- Cook in the oven:Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place on a baking sheet with a rack (Amazon affiliate link) with the skin facing up.Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, or until part of the skin has blackened. Remove from the oven.- To cook in an air fryer:Cook in a preheated air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes.First with the skin facing down for 10 minutes, then with the skin facing up for the remaining 10 minutes or until the skin is crispy and slightly blackened.- To cook on the grill:Cook over medium-low heat (about 250°F [125°C]) for 45 minutes with the skin facing down, turn the skin facing up and cook for another 45 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and slightly charred.
4. Serve
- Serve when removed from the heat. Find serving suggestions in the cooking tips further down.
Top tips
- Bones: Chicken thighs or legs with bones are preferable, but other chicken parts such as wings or breasts can be used.
- Safe cooking temperature: Chicken is safe to eat when a meat thermometer reads 165°F (75°C) in the center, or when all juices run clear with no traces of blood. I always recommend using a thermometer.
- Spiciness level: This is VERY spicy! If you don't like very spicy food, you can reduce the spiciness of the jerk seasoning by using a quarter of the cayenne pepper powder, or omitting it altogether and substituting sweet paprika.
See how to make the traditional marinade below.
Serving suggestions
Jerk chicken is traditionally served with plantains, "bammy" (fried yuca patties) and sometimes rice and peas, a dish of beans and rice combined. I suggest that you serve it with this rice with beans recipe.
If you're looking for another chicken thigh recipe, try this tasty chicken thigh marsala.
Learn more
Although I have tried to keep this recipe as close as possible to authentic Jamaican jerk, it is not necessarily traditional, given that in Jamaica-as everywhere else-there are countless ways for home cooks to make the same dish.
Traditional jerk marinade
What is jerk chicken sauce made of? Jamaican jerk chicken sauce is made up of a variety of spices and seasonings. The main flavor comes from Scotch bonnet peppers, a tiny Caribbean hot pepper. Other spices include nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, garlic, and dried thyme, among others.
You can make a traditional 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.
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!!
I am glad to hear you liked it. 🙂
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.
I have been hesitant to try the Jerk Chicken, but you have inspired me! Yay!!
I am Dominican and this was a little more spicy than I am used to. Ok, more than a litttle. 😉 But it was really good. Thanks for the recipe!
Loved it! I liked that you were not afraid of going spicy, thanks for the recipe.
The chicken looks amazing. This is a must for me. Gracias!
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
Oh gosh, I want to lick my screen. The chicken looks scrumptious!
I love jerk chicken......delicious...
I found this recipe on Pinterest, great taste, easy to make. I will do it agian.
Me gusto mucho
How to make the Jamaican rice?
I don't have that recipe. Sorry. But the closest I can offer is our this recipe for rice and beans.
This looks amazing!
I've wanted to try this for sooooooo long!! Thank you for the recipe!!
This would be pretty awesome to try.
This is awesome! Thanks so much!
That looks nice Tias!
would love to have
beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing.
I found your recipe on Pinterest. It looks great.
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.
Love it!!
Thank You
I made this and HOLY MOLY it was TOO HOT.