Jamaican Jerk Chicken is a beloved dish known for its bold and spicy flavors. This dish is typically made with a unique blend of spices and seasonings, including allspice, thyme, and Scotch bonnet peppers, which give it its distinctive taste. This article will explore a step-by-step recipe for making Jamaican Jerk Chicken at home, including tips for selecting the right ingredients, marinating the chicken, and grilling it to perfection.

With expert tips and tricks, you can create a delicious and authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken to impress your family and friends. Whether you’re looking to spice up your weeknight meals or impress your guests at a summer barbecue, this recipe is the perfect way to bring the flavors of the Caribbean to your kitchen.

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Equipment You Need to Make Jamaican Jerk Chicken

To make Jamaican Jerk Chicken, you will need the following equipment:

Grill or grill pan: Jamaican Jerk Chicken is traditionally cooked on a grill, but a grill pan can also be used if you don’t have access to an outdoor grill.
Mixing bowls: Mixing bowls are needed for marinating the chicken and preparing the jerk seasoning.
Whisk: A whisk is useful for mixing the jerk seasoning ingredients thoroughly.
Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurement of the jerk seasoning ingredients is important for achieving the right balance of flavors.
Tongs: Tongs are useful for flipping and handling the chicken on the grill or grill pan.

With these essential tools, you can prepare and cook Jamaican Jerk Chicken with ease and precision, resulting in a delicious and authentic dish that will impress.

I’ve used and recommend both cookware sets, the ScanPan 10-Piece Cookware Set and the HexClad 7-Piece Hybrid; both are well-made pans with a solid, heavy bottom, heat fast, and they get the job done. Visit the ScanPan or HexClad on Amazon. (Learn more about Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Essential Tools)

How to Make Gordon Ramsay Jerk Chicken

The Caribbean Jamaican Jerk Chicken is a hearty-seasoned grilled chicken made with a Jamaican jerk marinade with precise heat, deliciousness, and savory balance. Habanero or Scotch Bonnet peppers are optional in this recipe; you can adjust the “level” of the peppers to fit your needs.
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Start by making an intense jerk marinade by combining all the ingredients. Slice Scotch bonnet chilies. Black pepper and a bit of oil. Rub the jerk marinade onto the chicken pieces, pressing it into the scored meat. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Fry the chicken pieces for about 10 minutes until golden brown on all sides in a heated large ovenproof pan on medium-high heat, then add a touch of olive oil. Now add the Worcestershire and continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
Cover the chicken with foil or an ovenproof lid and cook in a preheated oven for 20 minutes until cooked through (if the pan you use isn’t ovenproof, then use a roasting tray). Eliminate the foil for 5 minutes to add more browning coloring if the chicken needs it.
Now serve the chicken with a side of rice.

What is jerk chicken seasoning made of?

Jerk chicken seasoning is a blend of spices and seasonings that give the dish its bold and distinctive flavor. This seasoning typically includes allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and salt.

These ingredients are combined to marinate the chicken before it is grilled or cooked, resulting in a flavorful and spicy dish popular in Jamaican cuisine. In this article, we’ve explored the key components of jerk chicken seasoning and how they work together to create this beloved dish’s unique and delicious flavor.

What is the secret to jerk chicken?

The key to making authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken is pimento wood, according to Jamaicans.com. While grilling the chicken over hot coals can produce a good flavor, adding fresh pimento wood gives the dish its authentic taste. Pimento wood comes from the pimento tree, which also produces allspice berries.

Using high-quality pimento wood is essential to achieving the true taste of Jamaican Jerk Chicken. When the wood is burned, it infuses the chicken with a smoky and spicy flavor that cannot be replicated by any other cooking method. Incorporating this traditional ingredient into your cooking can create a truly authentic and delicious Jamaican Jerk Chicken that will impress your family and friends.

Easy Jerk Chicken Recipe

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

An Easy Jerk Chicken Recipe is a flavorful and spicy dish perfect for adding excitement to your mealtime. This dish is made with a unique blend of spices and seasonings, including allspice, thyme, and Scotch bonnet peppers, that give it its distinctive taste. Explore a step-by-step recipe for making Jamaican Jerk Chicken at home, including tips for selecting the right ingredients, marinating the chicken, and grilling it to perfection.

With these expert tips and tricks, you can create a mouthwatering and authentic Jerk Chicken that will impress your family and friends. Whether you’re looking to spice up your weeknight meals or impress your guests at a summer barbecue, this recipe is the perfect way to bring the flavors of the Caribbean to your kitchen.

Ingredients

4 large 4 skin-on chicken legs, Broken down to drumsticks and thighs, then scored
3 Tbsp. 3 Olive oil for frying
2 Tbsp. 2 Worcestershire sauce
Rice, to serve
Marinade
1–2 Scotch bonnet peppers, deseeded and finely chopped
2 cloves 2 of garlic, crushed
1 tsp. 1 ground cloves
1 tsp. 1 ground cinnamon
1 tsp. 1 ground nutmeg
2 tsp. 2 ground allspice
2 Tbsp. 2 Fresh thyme
Ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. 1 Olive oil

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Start by making an intense jerk marinade by combining all the ingredients. Slice Scotch bonnet chilies. Black pepper and a bit of oil. Rub the jerk marinade onto the chicken pieces, pressing it into the scored meat. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Fry the chicken pieces for about 10 minutes until golden brown on all sides in a heated large ovenproof pan on medium-high heat, then add a touch of olive oil. Now add the Worcestershire and continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
Cover the chicken with foil or an ovenproof lid and cook in a preheated oven for 20 minutes until cooked through (if the pan you use isn’t ovenproof, then use a roasting tray). Eliminate the foil for 5 minutes to add more browning coloring if the chicken needs it.
Now serve the chicken with a side of rice.

Recipe Video

Notes

Adapted from Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Recipe