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Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe

This authentic Jamaican Jerk chicken recipe is marinated in a delicious blend of spices and grilled to perfection for the perfect weeknight meal!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 487 kcal
Course: Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 peeled sweet onion
  • 3 green onions
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper or 1 habanero pepper or 2 jalapeños
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 6 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1 teaspoon peeled fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup palm or olive oil
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon cloves
  • 3 pounds of mixed chicken things and drums or breasts

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add all of the ingredients but the chicken to a blender and blend on high speed until slightly chunky resembling apple sauce.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a plastic zip bag, casserole dish or plastic container and completely submerge the chicken.
  3. Cover and keep in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
  4. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, 400° to 450°.
  5. Take the chicken out of the marinade and cook on the grill for about 25 minutes turning the chicken every 8 minutes or so to develop a light char. The chicken should reach 165° internally before removing from the grill.
  6. Garnish with green onions and lime wedges and serve.

Notes

  • Chef Notes:
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  • Make-Ahead: This recipe is best eaten as soon as it is cooked.
  • How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This will freeze, cooked first, covered for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating.
  • How to Reheat: Place on a cooking sheet tray lined with parchment and bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until hot. Likewise, you can heat up in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate until hot.
  • You can also use this same marinade and method with steak, fish, pork or vegetables.
  • The longer you can marinate up to 24 hours the more flavorful it will be.
  • Do not be alarmed if your chicken is lightly charring, it is supposed to happen when grilling jerk chicken.
  • I usually like to close the door on the grill after the first flip of the chicken to help roast it better.

Nutrition Information

Calories 487kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 30g (46%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 154mg (51%) Sodium 619mg (26%) Potassium 426mg (12%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 17g (34%) Vitamin A 245IU (5%) Vitamin C 11.1mg (12%) Calcium 43mg (4%) Iron 1.6mg (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 487

% Daily Value*

Calories 487kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 27g 54%
Fat 30g 46%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 154mg 51%
Sodium 619mg 26%
Potassium 426mg 9%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 17g 34%
Vitamin A 245IU 5%
Vitamin C 11.1mg 12%
Calcium 43mg 4%
Iron 1.6mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.