How to Make Jamaican Jerk Chicken

This is one of my favorite all time dishes. Jerk is a method of cooking pork and chicken where basically you make holes into the meat and stuff it with a variety of spices. The holes allow heat to escape without loss of moisture. It’s a method that dates back to the Carib-Arawak Indians.

There are many variations on of how to cook jerk chicken, but this one is my favorite. The key to this recipe is the jerk seasoning rub.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One 3 1/2 lb chicken (Chicken breast is an option, but I personally like chicken leg and thighs)
• 6 sliced scotch bonnet/ habanero peppers
• 2 Tbsp. thyme
• 2 Tbsp. ground Pimento
• 8 Cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 3 Medium onions, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 Tbsp. salt
• 2 Tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 to 2 Tsp depending on your taste -ground cinnamon, nutmeg,ginger
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• Juice of one lime
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup white vinegar

Preparing the Rub/Marinade

1. Seed and finely chop Scotch Bonnet peppers.

2. Chop the onions, garlic and peppers.

3. Combine all the ingredients (excluding chicken) into a blender.

4. Blend until puréed.

Preparing the Chicken

5. Skin the chicken if you prefer it that way.

6. Chop the chicken into four pieces.

7. Season chicken with jerk seasoning rub.

8. Cover and marinade in the refrigerator for a least an hour. Overnight is better. The seasoning works better the longer it marinades.

Cooking the Chicken

9. If you are using your oven, broil the chicken on each side for about five minutes. This is to brown it a bit.

10. Bake on one side for 30 minutes. Then turn the meat and bake for another 30 minutes.

11. You can also grill the meat, which is usually the preferred way because it provides more flavor. If you choose to grill, use a charcoal grill. It works better.

12. Slowly grill the chicken until it’s cooked, turning regularly.

13. Baste occasionally with remaining marinade.

14. Once cooked, chop the chicken up in smaller pieces before serving.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a spicy dish. If you are afraid of, or cooking for people, who aren’t a fan of spicy food, you may want to cut down on the amount of pepper used.

[LonnaLight]

on 6/22/2008 I love any type of chicken, but the spicier the better! My mouth is watering and my stomach is growling! I must try this recipe! Thank you! Oh and we love the thigh portion in my house!