Jerk Chicken
This bold Jamaican-style Jerk Chicken is bursting with flavour and spice. Marinated in a punchy jerk blend and ready in just 30 minutes, it pairs perfectly with rice and peas or steamed vegetables for a satisfying dinner.
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 529kcal
Equipment
- Food processor
- mixing bowl
- Oven rack
Ingredients
- 1 kg or 2.2 Ibs of chicken thighs and drumsticks
Marinade
- 3 sprigs of thyme or 2 tablespoon of dried thyme
- 3 spring onions
- 1 onion
- 1-3 Scotch bonnets
- 2 teaspoon of fresh ginger or ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon of nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- ½ lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar
- 1.5 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- ⅓ cup of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of browning optional
Instructions
- Add all of the marinade ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. Reserve ¼ of the marinade for basting.
- Then, add chicken thighs and drumsticks to a large bowl. Pour over jerk marinade and rub it in thoroughly, and make sure the chicken is well coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for deeper flavour.
- For roasting arrange marinated chicken on a wire rack, leaving space between each piece. Roast for 35–40 minutes, flipping and basting with extra marinade halfway through.
- For grilling, cook chicken for 10–15 minutes, turning and basting midway for a smoky, charred finish.
- Plate up the jerk chicken hot with a wedge of lime and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Pairs perfectly with rice and peas, fried plantains, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Chicken Options: Feel free to substitute thighs and drumsticks with wings, fillets, or even a whole chicken.
- Grilling Tip: Arrange the chicken pieces with a bit of space between each to promote even cooking and prevent sticking.
- Moisture: Set aside a portion of the marinade for basting as the chicken cooks; this keeps it juicy and enhances the flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 147g | Calories: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.5g | Protein: 10.45g | Fat: 51.67g | Saturated Fat: 13.242g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9.853g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24.208g | Trans Fat: 0.232g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 491mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 2.26g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 35.9mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1.79mg