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Jerk chicken tacos are tacos with a Jamaican twist; jerk marinated chicken thighs shredded and stuffed inside warm tortillas. Pile on the avocado crema sauce and plenty of toppings for delicious Jamaican jerk chicken tacos!
Need ideas for your next Taco Tuesday? Try more taco recipes like Easy Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Lime Dressing and Loaded Taco Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice & Fresh Pico.
Table of Contents
- Easy Jerk Chicken Tacos
- Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- What’s Needed to Make This Recipe (Kitchen Tools and Equipment)
- Ingredients and Ingredient Notes
- How to Make Jerk Chicken Tacos
- What is Jerk Chicken?
- Why is Jerk Chicken so Popular in Jamaica?
- Recipe Substitutions and Tips
- What to Serve with Jerk Chicken Tacos
- Jerk Chicken Tacos Toppings
- Recipe Notes and Tips for Success
- Can I Make this Ahead of Time?
- Storage Instructions
- Reheating Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Interested in more Jamaican and Mexican Recipes? Check These Out!
- Jerk Chicken Tacos Recipe
Easy Jerk Chicken Tacos
If you’re new here, I love jerk chicken and tacos are just another way to enjoy this beloved Caribbean dish. Jamaican jerk chicken tacos are spicy, smoky, saucy and savoury with a hint of sweetness. Jerk chicken is flavourful enough but add avocado crema and this dish gets even tastier!
Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Convenient: Busy weeknight? It takes just 20 minutes of prep and another 20 minutes to cook. But you can save even more time by using leftover jerk chicken instead.
- Flavourful: Jerk chicken is amazing and tacos are too. But combining Mexican and Jamaican cuisine into one dish is a mouthwatering explosion of flavour!
- Customizable: Use a different cut of chicken, make them more or less spicy… you can even change the sauce for jerk chicken tacos. There are so many ways to make this recipe suitable for your taste buds!
What’s Needed to Make This Recipe (Kitchen Tools and Equipment)
- Blender or food processor: Use this to blend the ingredients for Avocado Crema.
- Skillet or grill pan: To cook the jerk chicken.
- Knife and cutting board: For chopping and preparing the various toppings.
- Mixing Bowls: You need these to marinate the chicken, mix the avocado crema, and contain the various taco toppings.
Ingredients and Ingredient Notes
Jerk Chicken Recipe
- Chicken Thighs: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They are naturally flavourful and moist so they don’t dry out easily like chicken breasts.
- Wet Jerk Marinade: For authentic taste and flavour, my homemade jerk marinade includes a warm spice blend of allspice, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Of course, we bring the heat with scotch bonnet peppers.
- Salt and Pepper: Add to taste.
- Olive Oil: To cook the jerk chicken thighs in.
Avocado Crema
- Ripe Avocado: Peeled and pitted.
- Sour Cream: This is the creamy base of the sauce. It adds a tangy quality that complements the more savoury elements.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a deep savoury flavour.
- Fresh Cilantro: Finely chopped.
- Cumin: This is an optional ingredient that adds an earthy taste.
- Fresh Lime Juice: For a bright citrus taste.
- Salt and Pepper: Add to taste.
Jerk Chicken Tacos
- Purple Cabbage: Shredded.
- Tomatoes: Diced.
- Cilantro: Chopped (optional).
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled.
- Flour Tortillas or Corn Tortillas
How to Make Jerk Chicken Tacos
Avocado Crema
Cut the ripe avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a blender or food processor. Then add the sour cream (or Greek yogurt), garlic, cilantro, cumin, lime juice, salt and pepper.
Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated. Taste the avocado crema and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Jerk Chicken
Add chicken to a large bowl with 1 tbsp of olive oil and season with the jerk marinade, salt and pepper. Mix until the chicken is well coated, then set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick pan or skillet. Add chicken thighs and cook for 5-7 minutes then flip and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, (the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear when poked). Remove, and let rest for 5 minutes then shred into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
Jerk Chicken Tacos
Warm the tortillas by placing them in the oven or in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side. Spread a dollop of avocado crema on the tortilla, then add the shredded jerk chicken in the center. Top with cabbage, tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and crumbled feta cheese.
Add another drizzle of avocado crema over the toppings, if desired. Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges, serve immediately and enjoy!
What is Jerk Chicken?
“Jerk” refers to a method of cooking meat. Traditionally, jerk involves marinating the meat in a unique blend of spices and then cooking it over an open flame or on a grill.
Jerk chicken refers to that spice blend (a mixture of ingredients that typically include thyme, ginger, allspice and scotch bonnet peppers). You can flavour the chicken with jerk seasoning (a dry spice blend) or jerk marinade (a wet sauce). The result is tender, flavourful chicken with a spicy kick.
Why is Jerk Chicken so Popular in Jamaica?
Jerk chicken is embedded in the history of Jamaica. Jamaica’s indigenous Taino people created the jerk cooking method, which was adapted by enslaved Africans on the island.
Traditionally, jerk chicken was cooked in pits filled with charcoal, pimento wood, and other aromatic woods. This method imparts a smoky flavor to the meat, making it distinct and delicious. While this method is less common today, the dish has remained a staple in Jamaican cuisine and has grown in popularity across the world.
Recipe Substitutions and Tips
- Jerk Chicken Tacos Slow Cooker: Marinate the chicken then add it to a slow cooker or crock pot and set it on low for 4-5 hours.
- Avocado Crema: You can plain Greek yogurt as a substitute for the sour cream.
- Jerk Marinade: Don’t have time to make jerk sauce from scratch? Try store-bought jerk marinade instead. If you go that route, I suggest Grace Jerk Seasoning (mild) as well as Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning (hot and spicy). They come in both mild and hot, so choose depending on your preference.
What to Serve with Jerk Chicken Tacos
- Rice: Tame the heat of the tacos with coconut rice or rice and peas.
- Corn: Pair the tacos with grilled corn or elote.
- Salad: Keep it light and nutritious with a salad like this Avocado Salad Recipe or Easy Mixed Bean Salad.
- Plantain: Lean into the Caribbean flavours with some delicious fried plantain.
Jerk Chicken Tacos Toppings
Want to try something other than the avocado cream sauce?
- Slaw: Whip up a creamy coleslaw. It tames the spiciness.
- Salsa: For a fresh topping opt for Easy Pico De Gallo (Salsa Fresca) or Summer Mango Pineapple Salsa.
Recipe Notes and Tips for Success
- Do not skip the marinade. Marinate for at least 15 minutes but the chicken can marinate for up to 8 hours if you have time. Any longer than that, and the chicken will be tough.
- Once the chicken is cooked, allow it to rest for 5 minutes before shredding. This helps the thighs retain their juices.
- Tacos are best enjoyed fresh. Assemble them just before serving to maintain the crispness of the ingredients and the warmth of the tortillas.
Can I Make this Ahead of Time?
Save time and cook the jerk chicken 1-2 days in advance. Then all you have to do is reheat the chicken, warm up some tortillas, and assemble your jerk chicken tacos.
Storage Instructions
Store jerk chicken, avocado crema, and toppings in separate airtight containers in the fridge and consume within 5 days.
Reheating Instructions
Reheat the jerk chicken in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat. Then warm up some fresh tortillas and add your sauce and toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common ingredients in jerk marinade are onions, garlic, ginger, pimento, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, scotch bonnet pepper, and brown sugar. But, there are many variations, which may include citrus, vinegar, and sweeteners such as honey and molasses.
Enjoy jerk chicken as part of a well balanced diet. It is low-carb and a great source of protein. The seasoning includes spices, peppers, and fresh herbs so it’s flavourful without an excessive amount of salt or sugar. And if you make it yourself, you can control the amount of sodium and sugar.
To ensure chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the meat, and the juices run clear, with no pink colour remaining.
Interested in more Jamaican and Mexican Recipes? Check These Out!
- Chicken Taco Seasoning
- Loaded Taco Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice & Fresh Pico
- Easy Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Lime Dressing
- Stuffed Poblano Peppers (Keto Recipe)
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe
- Easy Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Lime Dressing
- Jerk Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Loaded Taco Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice & Fresh Pico
- Jerk Chicken Skewers
- Jerk Turkey Wrap
- Jamaican Jerk Pork
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Jerk Chicken Tacos
Equipment
- Blender or food processor to make the Avocado Crema
- Skillet or grill pan to cook the jerk chicken
- Knife and cutting board for chopping and preparing the various toppings
- Mixing Bowls for marinating the chicken, mixing the avocado crema, and holding the various toppings
Ingredients
Jerk Chicken Recipe
- 6 Chicken Thighs, boneless, skinless
- 2 tbsp Wet Jerk Marinade, or use store-bought
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil, divided
Avocado Crema
- 1 whole Ripe Avocado, peeled and pitted
- 1/4 cup Sour Cream, or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1 tbsp Fresh Cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp Cumin, optional
- 1 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Jerk Chicken Tacos
- 2 cups Purple Cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup Tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped, optional
- 1/2 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
- 8-10 small Flour Tortillas, or corn tortillas
Instructions
Avocado Crema
- Cut the ripe avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a blender or food processor. Then add the sour cream (or Greek yogurt), garlic, cilantro, cumin, lime juice, salt and pepper.
- Blend until mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated. Taste the avocado crema and adjust seasoning as needed.
Jerk Chicken
- Add chicken to a large bowl with 1 tbsp of olive oil and season with the jerk marinade, salt and pepper. Mix until the chicken is well coated, then set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick pan or skillet. Add chicken thighs and cook for 5-7 minutes then flip and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, (the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear when poked). Remove, and let rest for 5 minutes then shred into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
Jerk Chicken Tacos
- Warm the tortillas by placing them in the oven or in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side. Spread a dollop of avocado crema on the tortilla, then add the shredded jerk chicken in the center. Top with cabbage, tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Add another drizzle of avocado crema over the toppings, if desired. Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges, serve immediately and enjoy!
