Jerk Chicken: Perfectly spiced chicken that is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Served with coconut rice, this meal will whisk you away to the islands!
We eat chicken for dinner at least a few times a week. Sometimes I bake it in the oven (such as potato chip chicken, and sometimes cook it in the crockpot (like chicken pot pie). This jerk chicken is made in the skillet and in the oven. This is one chicken recipe that you and your taste buds will never forget. Every single bite is packed full of amazing flavor.
I feel like I’ve forever been on the hunt for an authentic Jamaican jerk chicken recipe. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of that type of authentic cuisine, you get it right? There’s just honestly nothing quite like it. It’s got a little kick to it, which I love. Every single time I’ve eaten it, I’ve literally been sad when I took my last bite. 🙁
Am I only one that gets sad when food is gone?!
This is why I’m ecstatic over this easy Jamaican jerk chicken recipe. It’s not only super simple to make but it fulfills that jerk chicken craving that I’ve had going on.
If you’re looking for the best Jamaican jerk chicken recipe ever, I cannot recommend this one enough! Your taste buds and tummy will agree! Looking for more winner-winner chicken dinners? Try our Potato Chip Crusted Chicken or our chicken noodle casserole.
What is Jerk Chicken?
Created in Jamaica, jerk chicken is chicken with usually a dry rub that feature a wide variety of spices. Common spices in the blend include salt, cayenne, cinnamon, allspice, and red pepper. It’s typically spicy but can be altered to compliment various taste buds.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Ingredients
- Bone In Skin On Chicken Thighs: Dark meat may has a higher fat content, but it tends to be more tender and juicy than the other cuts of chicken meat. The bone also gives this Jamaican jerk chicken recipe great flavor. Bonus: Crispy skin!
- Jerk Seasoning: I used store bought, but homemade would be yummy too!
- Cinnamon: Don’t be afraid of this ingredient. It brings a wonderful warm flavor to the dish.
- Salt/Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Long Grain White Rice: You could also use basmati or jasmine rice here.
- Kidney Beans: Be sure to drain and rinse the beans.
- Unsweetened Coconut Milk: Adds great flavor to our rice mixture.
- Chicken Broth: Use low sodium if you can find it. That way you control the salt level in the dish.
- Bay Leaves
- Thyme
Jerk Chicken Recipe
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Season Chicken: In a large bowl combine jerk seasoning, cinnamon, and salt/pepper. Toss until coated.
- Cook Chicken: In a cast iron or other oven safe skillet heat over medium high heat. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes skin side down until crispy. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes. Don’t worry if its not cooked through yet, it will finish in the oven.
- Cook Veggies: Cook onion until softened. Add garlic and cook for one more minute.
- Make the Rice:Stir in rice and beans. Pour in coconut milk and chicken broth. Add bay leaves. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally.
- Finish Cooking Chicken:Add chicken back to pan. Top with a thyme spring. Cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
What To Serve With Baked Jerk Chicken?
You can really serve what you want with this Jamaican jerk chicken recipe. My favorite is coconut rice (recipe included below). Our other favorites are:
Jerk Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 6 Chicken thighs Bone In, Skin On
- 3 tablespoons Jerk Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Onion Diced
- 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
For the Coconut Rice and Beans
- 1 Cup Long Grain White Rice
- 1 15 Ounce Can Kidney Beans Drained and Rinsed
- 1 Cup Coconut Milk Unsweetened
- 1 Cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
- 2 Bay Leaves
- Fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine chicken, jerk seasoning, cinnamon, and salt/pepper.
- In a cast iron or oven safe skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Cook chicken skin side down for 6-7 minutes. Flip, and cook for 3 more minutes. It's okay if it's not cooked through, we'll finish it the oven. Remove from skillet, and set aside.
- In same skillet, cook onion until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Stir in beans,rice, chicken broth, coconut milk, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil
- Place chicken on top, and top with a thyme sprig. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
- Remove bay leaf before serving and enjoy!
Nutrition
If you’re looking for a super easy chicken recipe that will be a please everyone in your family, this Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe needs to be on your radar. And if you’re worried about it being too spicy for the little mouths in your family, alter the recipe a bit to tame down that heat.
The great part about being your own chef at home is that you can alter your recipes any way that you see fit!
What do you think of this jerk chicken?
Jerk chicken has always been a family favorite in my house. Your version was such a hit that I was asked to put it in the weekly rotation. Thanks for sharing yet another great recipe.
Jerk chicken is one of my favorites, it’s always so flavorful!
This is what I’m talking about! Delish.
Such a flavorful dish!
Delicious!! I love that charred outside – so much flavor!
Wow!! SO good! I love the flavors of jerk seasoning and your chicken is terrific!
This jerk chicken has so much flavor. So delicious.
This is such a great mix of flavors! Love it!