Overview
Traditional Jamaican jerk chicken packed with fiery spice, sweet notes, and earthy island herbs.
IMG_0859
Dinner
Featured
Jamaican Jerk Chicken
An authentic recipe for traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, highlighting a potent marinade built around Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and aromatic herbs.
Ready in
70 min
Makes 4 servings
Prep
30m
Cook
40m
Level
Medium
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.
Ingredients
Chicken
Marinade
Equipment
- Food processor For blending the marinade ingredients
- Outdoor grill Charcoal or gas grill for authentic smoky flavor
- Basting brush
Instructions
-
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.
-
Clean the chicken pieces and pat them dry. Score the meat slightly with a knife to allow the marinade to penetrate deeply.
-
Coat the chicken thoroughly with the jerk marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
4 min -
Preheat your grill for medium-high indirect heat or prepare an outdoor charcoal grill for smoky cooking.
-
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
580mg
Serving Size
1 serving
Cooking Timeline
Recipe Scorecard
Overall
9.3
/10
Expert
4.9
95% conf.
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
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 about substitutions, timing, or technique for this recipe.
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.
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4.9 expert rating
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