Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Try this easy baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken made from scratch and I am sure you will fall in love with this really good Caribbean traditional dish. Here is how to make Jerk Chicken Recipe.

There is an undying passion for hot and spicy foods as everyone loves to gorge themselves on flavoursome dishes. Talking about dishes infused with peppery flavours, Jerk Chicken comes to mind.

Jerk is a style of cooking that is associated with Jamaica wherein they wet marinate the meat with a hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. The meat is then grilled until perfectly cooked. 

I tried Jerk Chicken while our stay in the US in one of the Jamaican restaurant and it has become a favorite since then.

This is a Keto friendly recipe just like my Keto Crack Chicken or Honey Garlic Chicken and is supremely delicious too.

After being successfully able to re create the taste of home made Jerk Marinade, I used it to make this chicken and if I can say so myself, it was mind blowing good.

What is Jerk Chicken?

Jerk chicken is deeply interlinked with the Jamaican history and is also the most loved recipe in the Caribbean. While the most commonly used meat is chicken, pork, beef, seafood, goat and vegetables are also grilled in this style.

The process involves marinating the meat with Jamaican Jerk Spices and then slowly cooking the meat on fire or grill and again coating it with hot spices that overall gives the dish its authentic flavour. 

How did Jerk Chicken Originate?

It is believed that African meat cooking techniques were introduced to Jamaica and combined with native Jamaican ingredients and seasonings which led to the origin of Jerk chicken.

The process of cooking chicken for a longer period as in a crock pot is to preserve the meat longer once it has been cooked.

What does Jerk Chicken Taste like?

As mentioned earlier, Jerk Chicken is seasoned with spices that give the dish a smoky taste. The smoky and hot taste comes from having the chicken marinated in hot spices overnight or for some few hours.

If one likes food that tastes pleasantly sharp, then Jerk Chicken is the best recipe, however, if you prefer bland food than the dish might not be appetizing. 

What to serve with Jerk Chicken?

Jerk Chicken is infused with robust flavours and hot spices that gives the dish its key flavour. Jerk chicken is typically served with veggies as well as steamed rice.

The blend of flavoured marinated grilled chicken and hot steamy rice effuses aroma that will surely tempt everyone to dig in. 

You can slice and add jerk chicken in pasta, tacos, salad and sandwiches. It only takes the taste of these dishes to another level.

Can you freeze Jerk Chicken?

Chicken must be marinated 24 hours in advance and then it can be frozen in a resealable bag up to a month. If you are planning to use it, allow the chicken to thaw in refrigerator overnight. 

How to Bake Jerk Chicken?

After marinating the chicken, place it in a preheated oven and cook it for approximately 1 hour 20 minutes till the chicken is no longer pink. Turn the oven on to broil, and cook until the skin crisps, 2 to 5 minutes.

Jerk Chicken Recipe

5 from 1 vote

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Jerk Chicken

Try this easy baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken made from scratch and I am sure you will fall in love with this Caribbean traditional dish. Here is how to make Jerk Chicken Recipe.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Caribbean

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 348 kcal

Author Neha Mathur

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Onion Chopped
• 1 tbsp Garlic Chopped
• 1 tbsp Ginger Chopped
• 1 Spring Onion Chopped
• 1 tbsp Fresh Thyme
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Brown Sugar
• 2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
• 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
• 2 tbsp Vinegar
• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1/4 cup Orange Juice
• 1/2 tsp Black peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp All Spice Powder
• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg Powder
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon Powder
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper Seeds removed
• 3-4 Chicken Breast Boneless

Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients except chicken breast in a blender and blend until smooth.

2. Add the chicken breast in a zip lock bag along with the marinade.

3. Seal the bag and coat the chicken breast nicely with the marinade.

4. Pre heat the oven to 350 Degrees F (180 Degrees C)

5. Place the chicken breast on a baking tray and bake for 40-50 minutes until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165-170 Dress F.

6. Meanwhile the chicken is cooking, add the remaining marinade in a pan and simmer for 10-12 minutes until it is slightly thick like a dipping sauce.

7. Remove the tray from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.

8. Transfer the cooked chicken on a serving plate and cut into slices. 

9. Serve with the reduced marinade.

Nutrition Facts

Jerk Chicken

Amount Per Serving

Calories 348 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 12g75%

Cholesterol 108mg36%

Sodium 1283mg56%

Potassium 717mg20%

Carbohydrates 7g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 37g74%

Vitamin A 195IU4%

Vitamin C 18.2mg22%

Calcium 27mg3%

Iron 1.2mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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