Best 9 Marthas Jerk Chicken Recipes

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Title: Tantalize Your Taste Buds with Martha's Irresistible Jerk Chicken: A Culinary Journey into Jamaican Flavors

Immerse yourself in the vibrant Jamaican culinary tradition with Martha's exceptional Jerk Chicken, a dish that embodies the essence of bold flavors and tantalizing aromas. This delectable dish is a harmonious blend of fiery heat, aromatic spices, and succulent chicken, grilled to perfection. As you embark on this culinary adventure, discover the secrets behind Martha's authentic jerk marinade, a magical concoction of fiery scotch bonnet peppers, fragrant allspice, savory thyme, and a symphony of other herbs and spices. Explore variations of this classic dish, from the traditional grilled version to the succulent oven-baked rendition, each offering a unique taste sensation. Unleash your inner chef and embark on a delightful journey into the realm of Jamaican cuisine, where flavors dance on your palate and create an unforgettable dining experience.

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

MARINATED JERK CHICKEN



Marinated Jerk Chicken image

Jamaican marinade, or jerk sauce, is traditionally used with pork and chicken. Although ingredients vary, jerk seasoning usually includes chiles, thyme, allspice, and cinnamon.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken

Time 2h40m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 bunch scallions, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 jalapeno chile, chopped (ribs and seeds removed, for less heat)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for grates
1 tablespoon light-brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Coarse salt
8 pieces bone-in chicken (drumsticks and thighs), skinned and trimmed of excess fat

Steps:

  • Make marinade: In a blender, combine scallions, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, oil, sugar, allspice, thyme, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water; blend until smooth. Set aside 1/4 cup for brushing.
  • Place chicken in a shallow dish; season all over with salt. Pour remaining marinade over chicken; toss to coat. Cover; refrigerate, turning once or twice, at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
  • Heat grill to medium-high; oil grates. Lift chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off (discard marinade); place on grill, and cover. Cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is blackened in spots, about 10 minutes.
  • Move chicken to a cooler part of the grill; brush with reserved marinade. Grill, covered, until chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 249 g, Fat 12 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 27 g

JAMAICAN JERK CHICKEN



Jamaican Jerk Chicken image

Lucinda Scala Quinn, a host of the PBS series "Everyday Food," shares her recipe for Jamaican jerk chicken. Its fiery flavor comes from generous use of allspice, thyme, garlic, Scotch bonnet peppers, and scallions.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken

Number Of Ingredients 8

5 bunches whole scallions, roughly chopped
3 large cloves garlic
3 Scotch bonnet peppers, seeded
2 sprigs fresh thyme, or 2 tablespoons dried
1/4 cup ground allspice
2 tablespoons freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons coarse salt
One 2 1/2- to 3-pound chicken, backbone removed

Steps:

  • In the bowl of a food processor, combine scallions, garlic, Scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, allspice, pepper, and salt; with processor running, add 1 cup water through feed tube to make a sauce. Set aside 1/2 cup for serving.
  • Using the tip of a paring knife, make 8 small incisions all over chicken. Place in a shallow baking dish. Pour sauce over chicken, turning to coat. Cover, and refrigerate, turning occasionally, for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
  • Preheat a grill pan over high heat. Place chicken on grill. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, basting chicken with the marinade, for 10 minutes. Rotate chicken, and cook until slightly charred, about 15 minutes more. Turn chicken over, repeating process until slightly charred and an instant-read thermometer reads 160 degrees, about 25 minutes more. Alternatively, preheat oven to 425 degrees, and bake for 50 minutes, turning once halfway through. Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Let rest for 10 minutes. Using a sharp cleaver, chop into small pieces, bone and all, if desired. Otherwise, leave pieces whole. Serve with reserved sauce.

JERK CHICKEN



Jerk Chicken image

We've come up with a home-cook-friendly recipe for intensely spicy, crisp-skinned jerk chicken that's steeped in authentic flavor. Scotch bonnets are traditional, but you can use habaneros, which are similar and easier to find.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 fresh Scotch bonnet, or habanero chiles, seeded and finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped
8 scallions, coarsely chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed with the flat side of a large knife
3 tablespoons (about 1 bunch) fresh thyme, finely chopped
1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground allspice
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (2 to 3 limes), plus lime wedges for serving
1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus more for brushing grill
Freshly ground pepper
2 whole chickens (about 5 pounds each), cut into 8 pieces each, or 16 drumsticks and thighs, rinsed well and patted dry

Steps:

  • Make jerk marinade: Process chiles, onion, scallions, garlic, and thyme in a food processor until mixture forms a coarse paste. Add brown sugar, allspice, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, and oil; season with pepper. Process until smooth. Marinade can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 day before proceeding.
  • Transfer 1/3 of the marinade (about 1 cup) to a small bowl; set aside to use for brushing chicken. Transfer remaining marinade to a large bowl. Add chicken; toss to coat, rubbing marinade under the skin and all over chicken. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Allow the chicken to come to room temperature before grilling.
  • Heat a grill to low (if using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grate for 7 seconds). Brush grate lightly with oil. Place chicken on grill, skin sides down. Discard used marinade. Grill chicken, brushing occasionally with reserved cup of fresh marinade, until the skin sides are well browned but not charred, about 25 minutes. Turn chicken, and continue to cook, basting it occasionally, until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Cut chicken breast halves into 2 or 3 pieces, if desired. Serve with lime wedges.

JERK CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE-CILANTRO RICE



Jerk Chicken with Pineapple-Cilantro Rice image

Jerk chicken is seasoned with a mixture of thyme, cumin, red-pepper flakes, and garlic. Cool pineapple-cilantro rice balances the chicken's heat.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 cup light-brown sugar, packed
3 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts, split
2 cups uncooked basmati rice
1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 lime, cut into wedges, for garnish

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine 1 1/2 teaspoonssalt, 1 teaspoon pepper, thyme, cumin, redpepper, garlic powder, paprika, cloves,nutmeg, allspice, and light-brown sugar.Set spice mixture aside.
  • Place 2 chicken breasts between layers ofplastic wrap. Pound chicken to a 1/2-inchthickness. Transfer to a glass baking dish,and repeat with remaining breasts. With allthe spice mixture, rub breasts on both sides.Cover with plastic wrap; chill 30 minutes.
  • Bring a medium saucepan of water to aboil. Stir in the rice, and reduce to a simmer.Cook until rice is tender but still firm, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain; rinse with cool water. Transfer to a bowl, and stir in the pineapple,cilantro, bell pepper, and olive oil. Seasonwith remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoonblack pepper. Cover, and chill.
  • Heat a grill or heavy grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken untilit is browned on both sides and cookedthrough, 4 to 5 minutes on each side.Serve with the cooled pineapple rice andlime wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 301 g, Cholesterol 73 g, Fat 4 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 29 g, Sodium 444 g

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

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

JERK CHICKEN



Jerk Chicken image

You can use whole chickens to prepare this recipe, but chicken thighs are quicker and easier. Serve this dish with festival, a sweet cornmeal bread from Jamaica.From the book "Lucinda's Authentic Jamaican Kitchen," by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Wiley).

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken     Chicken Thighs

Number Of Ingredients 9

5 bunches whole scallions, finely chopped
3 large garlic cloves, minced
3 Scotch bonnet peppers (any color), seeded and minced
2 sprigs fresh thyme or 2 tablespoons dried
1/4 cup ground allspice
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 cup water
5 pounds chicken thighs or 2 small whole chickens, cut into quarters (see note)

Steps:

  • Combine all of the ingredients except the water and chicken in a large bowl. Mix well and add the water to form a loose paste.
  • Reserve 1/2 cup of the sauce for a later use. Marinate the chicken in the remaining sauce for at least 1 hour or as long as 24 hours (the longer, the better). Turn the meat several times, mixing the sauce.
  • Prepare an outdoor barbecue using plenty of coals. Meanwhile, soak small sticks or hardwood chips in water (mesquite conflicts with jerk's own flavor). When the coals have become gray and well ashed over, add the soaked wood to the fire.
  • Place the chicken on the grill and cover, leaving the vent holes open. Barbecue slowly --1 1/2 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the pieces. Check the fire after 30 minutes, adding coal or wood as needed and being careful not to flame the fire. Baste every 30 minutes with the marinade. Turn the chicken several times as it cooks. The chicken is done when it is firm to the touch and slightly charred.
  • Remove the chicken from the fire and let it sit on a cutting board for 15 minutes. If you have a sharp cleaver, chop the meat into small pieces (bone and all); otherwise, leave each piece whole. Serve on a large platter doused with the reserved jerk sauce.

MARTHA'S JERK CHICKEN



Martha's Jerk Chicken image

From the article -"Scotch bonnet and habanero chiles are native to the Caribbean and are extremely hot. Scotch bonnets are traditional, but you can use habaneros, which are similar and easier to find. Use fewer or more, according to your taste. Protect your hands by wearing gloves when cutting the peppers and when rubbing the chicken with marinade. Plan ahead so the chicken can marinate overnight; allowing it to come to room temperature before grilling makes for faster and more even cooking." Prep time does not included overnight marinading. Posted for ZWT 5.

Provided by alligirl

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 35m

Yield 16 pieces, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 fresh scotch bonnet peppers or 3 habanero peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped
8 scallions, coarsely chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed with the flat side of a large knife
3 tablespoons fresh thyme (about 1 bunch, finely chopped)
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground allspice
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 to 3 limes, plus lime wedges for serving)
1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus more for brushing grill
fresh ground pepper
2 whole chickens (about 5 pounds each, cut into 8 pieces each, or 16 drumsticks and thighs, rinsed well and patted dry)

Steps:

  • Make jerk marinade: Process chiles, onion, scallions, garlic, and thyme in a food processor until mixture forms a coarse paste.
  • Add brown sugar, allspice, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, and oil; season with pepper.
  • Process until smooth. Marinade can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 day before proceeding.
  • Transfer 1/3 of the marinade (about 1 cup) to a small bowl; set aside to use for brushing chicken.
  • Transfer remaining marinade to a large bowl.
  • Add chicken; toss to coat, rubbing marinade under the skin and all over chicken. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Allow the chicken to come to room temperature before grilling.
  • Heat a grill to low (if using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grate for 7 seconds).
  • Brush grate lightly with oil.
  • Place chicken on grill, skin sides down. Discard used marinade.
  • Grill chicken, brushing occasionally with reserved cup of fresh marinade, until the skin sides are well browned but not charred, about 25 minutes. Turn chicken, and continue to cook, basting it occasionally, until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Cut chicken breast halves into 2 or 3 pieces, if desired.
  • Serve with lime wedges.

BACKYARD JERK CHICKEN



Backyard Jerk Chicken image

Invite the neighbors over for a backyard barbecue featuring jerk chicken that gets its spicy flavor from an easy marinade that includes allspice, garlic, and spicy peppers. It's also delicious with skirt steak or pork chops.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 Scotch bonnet or habanero chile, stemmed
1 bunch scallions, cut into pieces
2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons packed dark-brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for grill
3 1/2 to 4 pounds chicken pieces
Salt and pepper

Steps:

  • In a food processor, puree chile, scallions, garlic, thyme, brown sugar, allspice, soy sauce, lime juice, and oil. In a large zip-top bag, toss chicken with paste. Refrigerate at least 1 hour (or up to 1 day).
  • Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-low. Clean and lightly oil hot grill. Season chicken with salt and pepper; grill, covered, turning often to prevent charring, until cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 419 g, Fat 14 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 59 g, SaturatedFat 3 g

JERK CHICKEN WINGS



Jerk Chicken Wings image

Jerk is a Jamaican spice paste that usually includes scallions, habanero chile (also called Scotch bonnet), and allspice. Adjust the amount of chile to suit your taste.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Appetizers     Finger Food Recipes

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 10

12 scallions, tops and bottoms trimmed, chopped
8 garlic cloves
4 dried bay leaves
1 habanero or 2 jalapeno chiles, chopped
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, leaves
4 teaspoons ground allspice
Coarse salt and ground pepper
6 pounds chicken wings, cut in half at joint
Lime wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • In a food processor, pulse scallions, garlic, bay leaves, habanero, vinegar, thyme, allspice, 1 tablespoon salt, and 2 tablespoons pepper until coarsely ground. In a large shallow dish, toss chicken with jerk mixture and refrigerate at least 1 hour (or up to 1 day).
  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange chicken on foil-lined rimmed baking sheets and cook until browned, 35 to 40 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Serve with lime wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 528 g, Fat 34 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 48 g

Tips:

  • Use a whole chicken: This will give you the most flavorful and juicy jerk chicken.
  • Marinate the chicken overnight: This will allow the flavors of the jerk seasoning to penetrate the meat.
  • Use a variety of jerk spices: Allspice, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers, and ginger are all common ingredients in jerk seasoning. You can adjust the proportions of each spice to suit your own taste.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to make jerk chicken. Try adding different ingredients to the marinade or cooking the chicken in a different way.
  • Serve jerk chicken with traditional Jamaican sides: Rice and peas, coleslaw, and fried plantains are all popular accompaniments to jerk chicken.

Conclusion:

Martha's jerk chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its unique blend of spices and its tender, juicy meat, jerk chicken is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe, give Martha's jerk chicken a try. You won't be disappointed!

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