Spicy Jamaican Jerk Chicken: Bold Caribbean Heat at Home
Bring the islands to your kitchen with this fiery, flavor-packed Jerk Chicken. Marinated in a zesty blend of spices, herbs, and heat—this dish is perfect for grilling or baking and pairs beautifully with rice, plantains, or a cooling slaw.
🍴 Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or legs, drumsticks, or breasts)
- 1 tablespoon allspice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero), seeded and chopped
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
🔥 Instructions
Make the Marinade: In a blender or food processor, combine garlic, ginger, Scotch bonnet, green onions, thyme, soy sauce, lime juice, olive oil, vinegar, and all dry spices. Blend until smooth.
Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over the chicken, making sure it’s fully coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
Grill or Bake:
Grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Grill chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is charred and crispy.
Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange chicken on a baking sheet and roast for 35–45 minutes until cooked through and golden.
Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with rice and peas, mango salsa, or grilled pineapple.
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Create the Best Spicy Jamaican Jerk Chicken
- 🌀 High-Powered Blender — Effortlessly blends jerk marinade to silky perfection.
- 🔥 Cast Iron Grill Pan — Great for indoor grilling with beautiful sear marks.
- 🌿 Jamaican Allspice Berries — The authentic flavor backbone of any jerk recipe.
- 🌶️ Scotch Bonnet Hot Sauce — Adds Caribbean heat when fresh peppers are hard to find.
- 🧄 Garlic Press — Quickly prep garlic for the bold jerk marinade.
💡 Helpful Tip: If you can’t find Scotch bonnet peppers, habaneros are a great substitute. For less heat, remove the seeds—or for even more kick, leave them in!