Description
This authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe features tender, flavorful chicken marinated in a vibrant blend of jalapeno, spices, and herbs, then grilled to perfection. Perfectly spicy and smoky, this dish brings the taste of the Caribbean right to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 2 jalapeno peppers, left whole with the tops cut off
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice (about half of a large lime)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp allspice
Main Ingredient
- 2 pounds chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks), bone in, skin on
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Place the jalapeno peppers, rice vinegar, olive oil, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, dried thyme, salt, garlic powder, and allspice in a food processor and blend until smooth to create the jerk marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Pour the marinade into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Add the chicken pieces to the bag, remove as much air as possible, seal it, and slosh the marinade around to coat all the chicken evenly. Let the chicken marinate overnight or for as long as possible to enhance flavor.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium high heat, approximately 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit, preparing it for grilling the chicken.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and place pieces on the grill. Cook for 6-10 minutes per side, turning carefully, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Monitor drumsticks and thighs separately as they cook at different rates.
- Serve: Once cooked through, plate the jerk chicken and serve warm for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for 2 to 3 months.
- Marinating Tip: Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing to ensure the marinade coats the chicken thoroughly.
- Alternative Cooking Methods: If you don’t have a grill, cook the chicken on a stovetop grill plate or bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes until skin is golden and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Doneness Check: Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Cooking Time Variance: Drumsticks and thighs cook at different rates due to size differences; monitor frequently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: thirty g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
