Jerk Chicken Recipe [Video] (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret in jerk chicken? ›

The Real Deal: How Jerk Chicken Is Traditionally Prepared

The process starts with pieces of chicken that are soaked overnight in a heavily seasoned marinade flavored with fiery Scotch bonnet peppers and allspice—the dried berries native to Jamaica that give jerked foods their characteristic warm spice aroma.

With adding authentic jerk flavoring, neither dry rub nor wet marinade is really better than the other. Both types deserve a place in your pantry. For vegetables and other dishes where you want just a hint of spice, sprinkle on a little Booyah dry Jamaican seasoning.

Jerk chicken gets its distinguishable flavor from spices that are native to the island of Jamaica. Spices like the scotch bonnet pepper give jerk chicken its spicy kick. Other spices that are incorporated into a jerk recipe are allspice, ginger, garlic and thyme.

If you're not a fan of the heat or kids are going to be eating this jerk spice blend, then you can make it less spicy. Just remove the cayenne and hot pepper flakes for a milder flavor.

Nutrient-Rich

Oxtail and jerk chicken are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, B vitamins, and potassium. These nutrients play crucial roles in maintaining overall health, supporting immune function, and promoting energy production.

Jerk chicken is believed to have been conceived when the Maroons introduced African meat cooking techniques to Jamaica which were combined with native Jamaican ingredients and seasonings used by the Arawak Indians.

It's important to let the chicken marinate overnight, so the seasoning has time to thoroughly penetrate the meat. Then, all that's left to do is bring the chicken up to room temperature and grill it until well-browned.

Here are some of the most common types of jerk meat: Jerk Chicken: This is one of the most popular types of jerk meat. Chicken is marinated in a blend of spices and then grilled or roasted to a crisp. Jerk Pork: Pork is a delicious and versatile meat that works well with the bold flavors of jerk seasoning.

Jerk sauce contains paprika and allspice for antioxidants, cayenne pepper for reducing blood pressure, garlic for immune boosting, nutmeg to aid in digestion and sleep, cinnamon for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol, vitamin C from citrus plus many more!

Jerk refers to a style of cooking in which the main ingredient—which most often is chicken but may also be beef, pork, goat, boar, seafood, or vegetables—is coated in spices and slow-cooked over a fire or grill traditionally composed of green pimento wood positioned over burning coals; the resulting smoke is key to the ...

How long can I marinate jerk chicken? ›

For best results, marinate the chicken overnight. The marinade is also great on beef, pork, or shrimp (although for shrimp, marinate for only 30 minutes to 1 hour), so feel free to double and freeze it for other uses.

There are as many takes on jerk chicken in Jamaica as there are cooks on the island, but most share the same method: Chicken is coated in a seasoning mixture dominated by spices and chiles, then grilled.

The signature blend of the aforementioned spices creates an aromatic flavour profile that is synonymous with Jamaican jerk and the traditional wood-fire cooking method is what imparts the smoky flavour to the meat, adding the depth and complexity for which the dish is known.