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Grilled Easy Jerk Chicken with Jamaican spices and vibrant seasonings

Easy Jerk Chicken — Jamaican Spiced Grilled

This Easy Jerk Chicken is a flavorful and simple way to enjoy smoky and spicy grilled chicken, perfect for any dinner.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Jamaican
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Jerk Marinade
  • 4 scallions scallions (green onions), roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, a few cloves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or dried if that is what you have)
  • 1 teaspoon allspice (ground or berries)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey for a little sweetness
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce for salt and depth
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice or vinegar for brightness
  • 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper or habanero as a backup
  • 1 pinch cinnamon optional, but so good
  • 1 splash oil to help it coat the chicken
Chicken
  • 2 pounds dark meat chicken (thighs and drumsticks) boneless skinless thighs are recommended for beginners

Method
 

Marinade Preparation
  1. Blend all marinade ingredients until it looks like a thick sauce. If you do not have a blender, mince everything finely.
  2. Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes, with a preference for a few hours or overnight.
Grilling
  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
  2. Oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  3. Shake off extra marinade but do not wipe the chicken clean.
  4. Grill boneless thighs for about 5 to 7 minutes per side, and bone-in pieces for about 8 to 12 minutes per side.
  5. Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Reserve some marinade before it touches raw chicken, simmer for a couple of minutes, and drizzle as a finishing sauce.

Notes

Pair with rice, slaw, grilled pineapple, or a cucumber salad to balance the flavors. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.