Description
This Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe features tender, flavorful chicken pieces marinated overnight in a spicy, tangy blend of jalapeno, herbs, and traditional spices, then grilled to juicy perfection. The marinade combines heat, citrus, and aromatic spices that infuse the chicken with authentic Caribbean flavors, perfect for a vibrant main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 2 jalapeno peppers, left whole with the tops cut off
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice (about half of a large lime)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp allspice
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks), bone in, skin on
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Place the jalapeno peppers, rice vinegar, olive oil, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, dried thyme, salt, garlic powder, and allspice into a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Marinate the Chicken: Pour the marinade into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Add the chicken pieces, remove as much air as possible, seal the bag, and slosh the marinade around to coat all the chicken evenly. Refrigerate and let marinate overnight or at least 24 hours.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat, approximately 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade and place on the grill. Cook the chicken for 6-10 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Monitor the drumsticks and thighs separately, as they cook at different rates due to size.
- Serve: Remove from grill and plate the chicken. Serve warm for best flavor and juiciness.
Notes
- Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for 2 to 3 months.
- Remove as much air as possible from the marinade bag to ensure even coating of chicken.
- If you don’t have a grill, cook chicken on a stovetop grill plate or bake in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes until the internal temperature hits 165 degrees and skin is golden brown.
- Always verify chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it is safely cooked.
- Different chicken pieces will cook at different speeds; check doneness frequently to avoid under or overcooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
