How to make Jerk Chicken

Jamaican jerk chicken is not as complicated to prepare as most of you might think. Sure, there are thirteen items in the jerk marinade, but as soon as you get the marinade recipe out of the way, everything else will quickly come together. The spicy-Caribbean chicken dish will send your taste buds on a roller-coaster of Jamaican bliss, that's if you can handle the heat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 onion
• 1/2 cup chopped scallion
• 2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. allspice
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 hot pepper (your choice)
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 3 tbs. soy sauce
• 1 tbs. vegetable oil
• 1 tbs. white vinegar
• 2 chickens (3 1/2 lbs.)

1. First you'll need to finely chop the onion and scallions. You'll need about three scallions to equal 1/2 a cup depending on their size. When finished chopping go ahead and add these two ingredients to a blender or either a food processor.

2. Second go ahead and remove the 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves from the stems. Fresh thyme is a must for this recipe. Add to the blender when done.

3. Next add your salt, sugar, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, hot pepper, black pepper, soy sauce, vegetable oil, and vinegar to the blender. At this point you can mix together the ingredients. Stop blending when the mixture has a smooth consistency.

4. Rinse the chicken well and add to a Zip-Loc bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and allow up to four hours for the marinade to work its magic.

5. When the chicken is done with its jerk-bath, put it in a long baking pan, cover it with aluminum foil, and allow it to cook at three hundred and fifty degrees for one to one and a half hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove the ribs and seeds from the hot pepper if you're not into food that's too spicy.
• This recipe would taste just as good on the grill.
• When dealing with the hot pepper wear gloves.
• Remember to wash your hands after handling the pepper as well as the raw chicken.
• Be sure to clean all areas and objects you used while preparing this dish.

[reyescristy]

on 12/8/2008 Thanks for writing this article! My friends at work brought this dish for a potluck and ive been trying to find the easiest yummiest looking recipe :)