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Jamaican Jerk Chicken

An authentic recipe for traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, highlighting a potent marinade built around Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and aromatic herbs.

Medium 30 min prep 40 min cook 70 min total 4 servings 4.9/10
Ready in
70 minutes

Makes 4 servings

About This Recipe

An authentic recipe for traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, highlighting a potent marinade built around Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and aromatic herbs.

Traditional Jamaican jerk chicken packed with fiery spice, sweet notes, and earthy island herbs.

Ratings

Expert Rating
4.9
95% confidence
Final Score
4.9
90% confidence

Category Scores

9.8
Taste
7.5
Difficulty
9.2
Presentation
8.0
Nutrition
9.5
Value
9.2
Instructions
9.5
Ingredients
9.0
Time Accuracy
9.5
Would Make Again
9.3
Overall

Cooking Timeline

Prep 30 min
Cook 40 min
  1. Step 1
  2. Step 2
  3. Step 3 4 min
  4. Step 4
  5. Step 5 40 min

Ingredients

Chicken

Marinade

Equipment

  • Food processor For blending the marinade ingredients
  • Outdoor grill Charcoal or gas grill for authentic smoky flavor
  • Basting brush

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a food processor, combine Scotch bonnet peppers, green onions, garlic, ginger, allspice, thyme, brown sugar, soy sauce, vegetable oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth to create the jerk marinade.

  2. 2

    Clean the chicken pieces and pat them dry. Score the meat slightly with a knife to allow the marinade to penetrate deeply.

  3. 3

    Coat the chicken thoroughly with the jerk marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

    4 min
  4. 4

    Preheat your grill for medium-high indirect heat or prepare an outdoor charcoal grill for smoky cooking.

  5. 5

    Grill the chicken for 35-40 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with extra marinade, until fully cooked and nicely charred on the outside.

    40 min

Nutrition

Calories 380
Protein 32g
Carbs 8g
Fat 24g
Fiber 1g
Sugar 5g
Sodium 580g
Serving Size 1 serving

Expert Review

Verdict

An exceptionally bold, flavorful, and aromatic authentic Jamaican jerk chicken recipe.

Pros

  • Incredible depth of flavor
  • Perfect smoky char
  • Juicy and tender meat

Cons

  • Requires marinating time for best results

Overview

Traditional Jamaican jerk chicken packed with fiery spice, sweet notes, and earthy island herbs.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, highlighting a potent marinade built around Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and aromatic herbs.

Tips

  • Wear gloves when handling Scotch bonnet peppers to avoid skin irritation
  • Add pimento wood chips to your charcoal grill for true Jamaican smoke flavor
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling before serving

Substitutions

  • Scotch bonnet peppers → Habanero peppers
  • Vegetable oil → Coconut oil

Storage

Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Pairing

Rice and peas Fried plantains and a cold tropical drink

AI Cooking Assistant

Ask questions about this recipe — substitutions, timing, or technique.

Open Cooking Assistant

FAQ

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs and drumsticks?
Yes, but bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces stay much juicier and absorb the jerk flavors better.
What can I substitute for Scotch bonnet peppers?
Habanero peppers are the closest alternative in terms of flavor and heat level.

About the Author

FindEdition Kitchen

Recipe tested and reviewed by the FindEdition culinary team.

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