Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe
This Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe is bursting with true authentic jerk flavour and flare! Chicken is marinated overnight in a delicious blend of herbs, spices, and jerk seasoning creating the perfect brag-worthy dish! Recipe includes instructions to prepare on the grill, oven or air fryer and serve for lunch, dinner or anytime throughout the day!
Servings: 5 servings
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl to season and marinate the chicken.
- Baking Sheet fitted with or without a Wire Rack optional, if using the oven method, use this to bake the chicken on and ensure it is lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Outdoor Grill optional, if using the grilling method, to cook chicken.
- Air-Fryer optional, if using the air-fryer method.
- Instant Read Thermometer this is the best way to determine chicken doneness.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Chicken Legs or Thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 2 tbsp Jerk Marinade or if using store bought, mild or hot grace or walkerswood brand recommended
- 2 tbsp Caribbean Green Seasoning if not using, see below additional ingredients
- 1 tbsp Browning
- 1 tbsp All-Purpose Seasoning
- 2 tsp Seasoned Salt or salt
Additional Ingredients if Not Using Green Seasoning
- 1/2 med Onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic minced or finely chopped
- 1 stalk Escallion finely chopped
- 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 5 Pimento Seeds allspice berries, crushed
Honey Jerk Sauce (optional)
- Reserved Marinade
- 1 cup Chicken Stock
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 1 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
Instructions
Prep Chicken
- Thoroughly pat dry the chicken with a paper towel to remove any excess water or liquid and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add olive oil then season with jerk marinade, green seasoning (or the additional ingredients listed), browning, all purpose seasoning and seasoned salt . Mix to coat, and let marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Grilling Instructions
- 30 minutes before grilling, remove chicken from the fridge. Heat bbq grill to medium-high and spray bbq grates with cooking oil. Place chicken on the grill turning occasionally, until chicken is near done.
- Move chicken to a cooler temperature area of the grill and brush with prepared honey jerk sauce or bbq sauce if preferred (do this repeatedly until done). Continue to grill until chicken is cooked through and nicely charred in some areas. Serve hot and enjoy!
Oven (Baked) Instructions
- 30 minutes before baking, remove chicken from the fridge. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and place rack on the lower middle position. Spray wire oven rack with cooking oil (i.e Pam cooking spray) or line an oven sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange chicken on large parchment-lined baking sheet (or rack if using), ensuring space between each piece. Bake, flipping at the halfway point, for 40 minutes or until cooked through and nicely browned. When chicken near done, turn on the broiler function and roast chicken for 2-5 minutes or until nicely charred in come areas. Serve hot and enjoy!
Air Fryer Instructions
- 30 minutes before air frying, remove chicken from the fridge. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Arrange chicken in air fryer basket, ensuring space between each piece and avoiding overcrowding. Air-fry, flipping at the halfway point, for 30 to 35 minutes or until cooked through and nicely browned. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Jerk Marinade - the jerk marinade sometimes called jerk sauce, does the majority of the heavy lifting for this recipe! Make sure you use my homemade version, or a good quality store-bought one!
Grill Flame - it's best to grill your chicken under a medium high flame, as this slow grilling process allows the flavours to infuse into a smoky, fragrant plate of deliciousness!
Use the Broil Function – you can choose to broil your chicken for the last few minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize and skin to crisp up as well as allow the chicken to get to that golden bright colour we all love to see!
Doneness Temperature - the chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees°F, cooking times will vary and use medium heat to medium-high.