mainJamaican

Jerk Chicken

Name: Jerk Chicken
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Jamaican
Ingredients: 1.6 kg Chicken, jointed; 3 pieces Scotch bonnet chillies; 2 tbsp Allspice berries; 6 pieces Spring onions; 8 sprigs Thyme; 30 g Ginger; 6 cloves Garlic; 60 ml Soy sauce; 2 pieces Limes; 2 tbsp Brown sugar; 1 tsp Nutmeg and cinnamon; 60 ml Neutral oil

Jerk Chicken is a classic Jamaican main that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully prepared featuring Chicken, jointed, Scotch bonnet chillies, Allspice berries, Spring onions, Thyme, Ginger, Garlic, Soy sauce, Limes, Brown sugar, Nutmeg and cinnamon and Neutral oil, the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. The cooking process allows natural aromas to develop, ensuring each portion is both hearty and flavorful.

Serve hot alongside fresh bread, steamed grains, or a crisp seasonal salad for a well-rounded dining experience.

If you enjoy authentic Jamaican cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Ackee And Saltfish.

Difficulty: mediumPrep: 30 minCook: 120 minServes 6

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Ingredients

Chicken, jointed1.6 kg
Scotch bonnet chillies3 pieces
Allspice berries2 tbsp
Spring onions6 pieces
Thyme8 sprigs
Ginger30 g
Garlic6 cloves
Soy sauce60 ml
Limes2 pieces
Brown sugar2 tbsp
Nutmeg and cinnamon1 tsp
Neutral oil60 ml

Step-by-Step Instructions

6 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1🥄 Mix

Blend the chillies, allspice, spring onion, thyme, ginger, garlic, soy, lime juice, sugar, nutmeg and oil into a thick paste.

Step 2🥣 Marinate

Cut deep slashes into the chicken down to the bone and rub the marinade in with gloved hands, filling the cuts.

Step 3

Refrigerate for at least eight hours, better a full day.

Step 4

Bank the coals to one side of the grill and throw soaked allspice berries and wood chips on them. Put the chicken on the far side, away from direct heat.

Step 5

Cook covered at 150-160 °C for an hour and a half, turning every half hour and adding more chips.

Step 6✨ Serve

For the last ten minutes move it over direct heat for colour. Serve with lime and festival bread.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Jerk Chicken carries a rich culinary tradition rooted in regional home cooking. Developed over generations, the recipe highlights wholesome local ingredients prepared with time-honored kitchen techniques.

Dietary Substitutions

If you need to accommodate dietary restrictions, chicken, jointed can be substituted with an equivalent volume of seasonal vegetables, legumes, or a protein alternative of your preference.

Chef Technique Tips

Season in stages rather than all at once at the end. Salting components as they cook draws out excess moisture, intensifies natural sugars, and builds harmonious depth of flavor throughout the dish.

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