This is the best Jamaican jerk chicken recipe that you will ever try! It is incredibly flavorful, thanks to hours and hours of marination using a vibrant and deliciously seasoned marinade. So, if you want something flavorful and unique, then jerk chicken is for you.  

It is believed to have been conceived when the Maroons introduced African cooking techniques to Jamaican people. These recipes combined Jamaican ingredients and seasonings used by the Arawak Indians.

Flavorful Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe! 

This recipe is a perfect combination of well-seasoned chicken and Jamaican jerk marinade. This marinade will provide you with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. In this recipe, the chicken will be amazingly tender, moist, and juicy which will have bursting and savory flavors on every bite! 

From habanero peppers, you will get an explosion of flavors from every bite you take. It is a really tender, juicy, and moist chicken dish and has a taste that never disappoints.

It is traditionally served with Jamaican rice and peas. The secret to delicious jerk chicken is marination. The longer you marinate the chicken, the tastier your Jamaican jerk chicken will be. So, let’s see how you can make this delicious Jamaican chicken at home! 

Jerk Chicken Recipe
Jerk Chicken Recipe

Quick Stats 

Prep time: 3 hours 

Cooking time: 30 minutes 

Servings: 6 to 8 serves 

Chicken Rub

  • 1 whole chicken cut into 10 pieces
  • salt and freshly ground pepper, to season
  • 1 tablespoon or 15g Jerk Seasoning
  • ½ tablespoon or 5g garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon or 6g onion

Jerk Marinade

  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 3 green onions, green and white parts chopped
  • 6-8 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1½ tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped
  • 2-4 habanero pepper, chopped
  • 1½ tablespoon or 22.5ml soy sauce
  • 2-4 tablespoon or 30 – 60g brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoon or 12g allspice, coarsely ground
  • 1 tablespoon or 8g cinnamon powder
  • ½ tablespoon or 3.5g nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon bouillon powder, optional
  • ¼-½ cup or 60 – 120ml water

Method to Prepare 

  • Get rid of the chicken’s excess fat and pat-dry it with a cloth or paper napkin. 
  • Now, rub that chicken with salt, freshly ground pepper, jerk seasoning, garlic, and onion powder. Set it aside and prepare for the marinade.
  • Take a food processor and combine thyme, green onions, garlic, ginger, and habanero pepper. Pulse it for about half a minute, until blended completely. 
  • Now, take a bowl and soak the chicken with a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, chicken bouillon, and water. 
  • Then, add blended herbs and seasoning to complete the jerk marinade. 
  • Completely drench the chicken with jerk marinade and place it in a zip lock bag. Slide it into the fridge for 3 hours of marination. Overnight marination is preferred. 
  • When ready to grill, remove the chicken from the bag and place it on a medium to high lightly oiled grill. Reserve the marinade for use. 
  • Cook chicken on the grill for 12 to 20 minutes until the juices run clear. Turn the chicken often for optimal cooking and browning. 
  • Take a small saucepan and simmer the reserved marinade and chicken for about 7 minutes. 
  • Serve it and enjoy this spicy chicken! 

Must Check: Souvlaki Recipe: An Authentic Greek Chicken Recipe!

Final Words 

Deliciously coated with jerk seasoning and paste, this jerk chicken recipe is one of the most flavorful and tasty recipes you will ever try. So, if you are planning to surprise your family with a delicious chicken dish then try this jerk chicken!