Jamaican Jerk Chicken (Grilled or Oven)

Name: Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1470 min
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; 2 pounds chicken pieces ((thighs, drumsticks), bone in, skin on)

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This Grilled Jerk Chicken recipe is full of authentic Jamaican flavor from the homemade marinade. It’s tangy and delicious, without being too spicy.

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This grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe is easy to make and full of authentic Jamaican flavors. Its tangy lime and zesty island-inspired marinade is perfectly balanced without being too spicy, so it can be enjoyed by the entire family! You will feel like you are on vacation in the Caribbean!

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Seasoning and Recipe

Grilled jerk chicken is one of my staple grill meals. It’s bursting with authentic Caribbean flavors and takes me back to being on vacaiton. Don’t let the use of jalapeños scare you away! They add loads of flavor, but not too much spice, making the seasoning just perfect, even for the eaters who don’t love the heat.

This authentic jerk chicken recipe only takes 30 minutes total to prep, plus marinating time. I like to place the chicken in the marinade in the morning, then it’s all set when I’m ready to grill in the evening. You can even do it the night before and let it soak up all those Jamaican jerk seasoning flavors overnight.

Don’t have a grill or want to enjoy this delicious chicken recipe all year round? No worries, we provide alternate forms of cooking the chicken indoors!

Why We Love This Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Marinate in the morning and it’s ready to grill at dinner time
Quick prep –ready in 30 minutes (plus marinating time)
Delicious homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning
Tangy and flavorful
Easy grilled chicken recipe
Perfect for a family barbecue meal
Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months

showing the inside of grilled jerk chicken

Ingredients/Shopping List

Jalapeño peppers
Rice vinegar – White wine vinegar is a good substitute if you don’t have rice vinegar.
Olive oil – Other oils can be used instead. I like using grapeseed oil, but you can use vegetable oil or canola oil too.
Soy sauce
Lime juice – You can use lemon juice instead. Use either fresh juice or concentrate.
Honey – Substitute this with maple syrup or agave nectar if desired.
Dried thyme
Salt
Allspice
Chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks) bone-in, skin on

Substitutions

Kick up the spice: For spicier chicken, you can also use a habanero pepper. The jalapeño can be made with all of the seeds because it won’t carry as much spice through the marinade to the chicken.
Protein: If you would like to try this recipe with another type of meat, like pork or steak, you can. Be aware that the cooking times will vary, depending on the internal temperature needed. A meat thermometer is recommended to check for doneness.

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How to Make Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe

I like to get the marinade ready in the morning or night before and leave the chicken in the fridge to soak up the flavors as long as possible. Then, completing the rest of the Jerk Chicken Recipe only takes a quick 20 minutes!

Place jalapeño, rice vinegar, oil, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, thyme, salt, garlic powder, and allspice in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Pour the mixture into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and add the chicken pieces. Let the chicken marinate overnight.
Pro-tip: When adding the chicken pieces to the plastic bag and try to remove as much air as possible. After you seal the bag, mix the marinade around in the bag to make sure it coats all the chicken pieces.
Grill the chicken for 6-10 minutes on each side.
Pro-tip: If you don’t have a grill, you can still enjoy this tasty chicken! If you have a stovetop grill plate, you can cook the chicken over the stove. You can also bake your chicken at 425 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until the skin is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Plate and serve warm.
Pro-tip: Cooked chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re using drumsticks and chicken thighs, they will cook at different rates because of their size difference, so make sure to check for doneness often.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store leftover Jamaican Jerk Chicken?

Once cooked, place leftover chicken into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. The chicken will be good for up to three days. It can also be stored frozen for 2 to 3 months.

How do I use the jalapeno or chili pepper properly?

Be careful with hot peppers because the spiciness can get everywhere. Here are a few tips for handling jalapeños:
– Rub some olive oil on your hands before handling the pepper (or use rubber gloves). Jalapeno and habanero peppers are hot but not unbearable, so you might be able to handle them with just your hands. However, if you are worried about it, use rubber or latex gloves instead.
– Olive oil can also help any burning that might happen as you cook this. Rub it into your skin and leave it on for a minute before rinsing. Dairy products such as milk or yogurt can also help ease any burn you might get from handling the hot pepper.
– If you want less heat from the pepper, take out the seeds and inner white membrane before using the rest of it. The heat shouldn’t transfer over to the chicken as much as it typically would because the chicken is marinating in the pepper.
– Make sure to not touch anything, especially your face or eyes, while you are handling the hot peppers.
– When cutting the pepper, use as few kitchen tools as possible so that you don’t get the spiciness sticking to tools that are used for other meals. For instance, if you don’t want to place the pepper in the food processor, use a knife to chop it up as tiny as possible instead, then mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

Can I make Jerk Chicken in the Oven?

Yes, you can make jerk chicken in the oven. Prepare the chicken as directed and bake it at 425 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until the skin is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Note: cook times may vary depending on your oven.

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