Best 5 Homestyle Jerk Chicken Recipes

**Tantalize your taste buds with the vibrant flavors of Jamaican jerk chicken, a tantalizing dish that captures the essence of Caribbean cuisine.**

Indulge in a culinary journey that highlights this iconic dish, exploring variations such as traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, a spicy and succulent delight, and its versatile counterparts – jerk chicken wings, perfect for any gathering, and jerk chicken thighs, offering a juicy and flavorful experience. Discover the secrets behind the authentic jerk marinade, a harmonious blend of aromatic spices that infuses the chicken with a fiery kick. Prepare to be captivated by the authentic flavors of Jamaica, as you embark on a mouthwatering adventure with these tantalizing jerk chicken recipes.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

JERK CHICKEN

Jerk Chicken image

Done right, jerk chicken is one of the great barbecue traditions of the world, up there with Texas brisket and Chinese char siu. It is Jamaica to the bone, aromatic and smoky, sweet but insistently hot. All of its traditional ingredients grow in the island's lush green interior: fresh ginger, thyme and scallions; Scotch bonnet peppers; and the sweet wood of the allspice tree, which burns to a fragrant smoke. "It's not a sauce, it's a procedure," Jerome Williams, a Jamaican-born Brooklyn resident, told The Times in 2008 on a Sunday in Prospect Park, where families arrive as early as 6 a.m. for lakeside grilling spots, a few of which are actually authorized by the parks department. "It has to be hot, but it cannot only be hot, or you get no joy from it." This recipe delivers that joy.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories dinner, lunch, main course

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 3 1/2- to 4-pound chickens, quartered, or 8 whole legs, or 5 to 6 pounds bone-in, skin-on thighs
1 large bunch scallions (about 8), white and green parts
2 shallots, peeled and halved
4 to 6 Scotch bonnet chili peppers, stems removed, or habaneros
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
6 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup fresh thyme leaves, or 1 tablespoon dried
2 tablespoons ground allspice, more for sprinkling
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon salt, more for sprinkling
1 tablespoon black pepper
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar
Freshly squeezed juice of 2 limes

Steps:

At least 1 day before cooking, pat chicken dry with paper towels. Combine remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor and grind to a coarse paste. Slather all over chicken, including under skin. Refrigerate 12 to 36 hours. Bring to room temperature before cooking and lightly sprinkle with more salt and ground allspice.
Prepare a charcoal grill: Clean and oil grates, and preheat to medium heat using one chimney of charcoal. The temperature can start as high as 300 degrees and go as low as 250. For best results, coals should be at least 12 inches away from chicken. If necessary, push coals to one side of grill to create indirect heat. Add two large handfuls of soaked pimento (allspice) wood sticks and chips (see note) or other aromatic wood chips to coals, then close grill. When thick white smoke billows from grill, place chicken on grate, skin side up, and cover. Let cook undisturbed for 30 to 35 minutes.
Uncover grill. Chicken will be golden and mahogany in places. Chicken thighs may already be cooked through. For other cuts, turn chicken over and add more wood chips, and charcoal if needed. Cover and continue cooking, checking and turning every 10 minutes. Jerk chicken is done when skin is burnished brown and chicken juices are completely clear, with no pink near the bone. For large pieces, this can take up to an hour. Serve hot or warm, with rice and beans.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 790, UnsaturatedFat 40 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 58 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 55 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 429 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams

THE ULTIMATE JERK CHICKEN

The Ultimate Jerk Chicken image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories main-dish

Time 9h20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

2 teaspoons allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 onion
8 cloves garlic or 1 whole head
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, sliced
3 scallions, sliced
3 limes, juiced
Splash low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked
1 Scotch bonnet pepper, halved, plus more to taste
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 whole free-range chicken (about 5 pounds), cut into 10 pieces
Limes, for garnish
Parsley, for garnish
Smoking chips, soaked in water for 15 minutes

Steps:

Begin by making the jerk marinade. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a blender and process until you have a smooth puree.
Add chicken pieces into a large resealable plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Put the bag into a baking dish and let marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
Preheat grill to high.
Prepare a table-top smoker or take a roasting tray, line it with foil and add some soaked wood chips to the bottom. Place a wire rack over the top, upside down, and lay chicken pieces over the chips on the rack. Cover with foil and grill over high heat. Smoke for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Transfer the chicken pieces to a baking sheet and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake in the oven "low and slow" until chicken is tender, about 1 hour. Remove the chicken from the baking sheet to a serving platter and garnish with limes and parsley before serving.

JAMAICAN JERK CHICKEN

Jamaican Jerk Chicken image

Hot, succulent Jamaican Jerk Chicken is a tropical treat. You'll love the heat and flavor of this fiery marinade.

Provided by Yardie

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Caribbean

Time 3h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into chunks
4 limes, juiced
1 cup water
2 teaspoons ground allspice
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
1 ½ cups chopped green onions
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 habanero peppers, chopped

Steps:

Place chicken in a medium bowl. Cover with lime juice and water. Set aside.
In a blender or food processor, place allspice, nutmeg, salt, brown sugar, thyme, ginger, black pepper and vegetable oil. Blend well, then mix in onions, green onions, garlic and habanero peppers until almost smooth.
Pour most of the blended marinade mixture into bowl with chicken, reserving a small amount to use as a basting sauce while cooking. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat.
Brush grill grate with oil. Cook chicken slowly on the preheated grill. Turn frequently, basting often with remaining marinade mixture. Cook to desired doneness.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 220.7 calories, Carbohydrate 13.3 g, Cholesterol 68.4 mg, Fat 6.4 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 28.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 473.9 mg, Sugar 3.8 g

PERFECT BAKED JERK CHICKEN

Perfect Baked Jerk Chicken image

I was on the hunt for a perfect jerk seasoning, not too sweet, not too spicy. I finally perfected my own. Hope you like it!

Provided by angielee26

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Whole Chicken Recipes

Time 3h40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon dried minced garlic
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces
¼ cup vegetable oil

Steps:

Make the jerk rub by combining the salt, allspice, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and thyme. Toss the chicken pieces with the spice mixture, then cover, and marinate in the refrigerator 2 to 4 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pour the vegetable oil into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Place the chicken pieces skin-side up into the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour 20 minutes, until no longer pink near the bone. Turn the oven on to broil, and cook until the skin crisps, 2 to 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 571.7 calories, Carbohydrate 2 g, Cholesterol 88.3 mg, Fat 52.5 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 21.8 g, SaturatedFat 13.6 g, Sodium 457.6 mg, Sugar 1 g

BASIC JERK CHICKEN

Basic Jerk Chicken image

This is a great grilling recipe for when you're short on time but still want a flavorful meal. It's an easy one! Notes: You can grill the chicken on your stovetop, too. I sliced the chicken and served it over a green salad.

Provided by LifeIsGood

Categories Chicken

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons caribbean jerk seasoning

Steps:

Flatten chicken to 1/4 inch thickness by placing between 2 sheets of heavy duty plastic wrap and hitting with meat mallet or rolling pin.
In a small bowl, mix together the lime juice and oil, then brush over both sides of chicken.
Rub jerk seasoning on both sides of chicken.
Cook on grill over medium hot heat until done, about 5 to 6 minutes per side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 145.1, Fat 4.2, SaturatedFat 0.8, Cholesterol 75.5, Sodium 136.9, Carbohydrate 0.2, Protein 25.1

Tips:

Choose the right chicken: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts for the best flavor and juiciness.
Make sure the chicken is fully thawed before cooking: This will help it cook evenly.
Use a good quality jerk seasoning: Look for a blend that includes allspice, thyme, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger.
Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or overnight: This will allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
Cook the chicken over low heat: This will help prevent it from drying out.
Baste the chicken frequently with the marinade: This will help keep it moist and flavorful.
Serve the chicken with your favorite sides: Such as rice and peas, steamed vegetables, or coleslaw.

Conclusion:

Jamaican jerk chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a summer cookout or party. By following these tips, you can make the best jerk chicken at home. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give Jamaican jerk chicken a try. You won't be disappointed!