This Easy Jerk Chicken recipe is so flavorful. Succulent grilled chicken, seasoned with and easy homemade jerk marinade – delicious! Plus it comes with a vibrant pineapple salsa – win win!
Jerk Chicken Marinade
That lovely char, that spicy, sweet and salty taste…..jerk chicken has such a distinct and delicious flavor, and now it’s even simpler to make! This Easy Jerk Chicken recipe is made special by the flavor packed homemade jerk marinade – add this to your weekly meal rota and spice up your week!
If you’re looking for other spicy chicken recipes, why not also try my delicious Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas (Salsa Verde) or my Mexican Chicken Soup (Spicy)!
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download nowWhy you’ll love this Easy Jerk Chicken recipe
- A delicious jerk marinade. This homemade marinade is loaded with classic jerk seasonings and turns any humble cut of chicken into a sweet, spicy, salty and delicious main meal.
- A lovely char. This marinade gives the chicken that classic crispy char we all love with a great jerk chicken.
- An easy chicken recipe! Just whack all your ingredients (except the chicken!) into a food processor, pulse and coat your chicken.
- A bright and tangy pineapple salsa. The sweet, tangy kick of pineapple compliments with spiced chicken – pure sunshine on a plate!
How to make this Easy Jerk Chicken recipe
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
- Make the marinade – Put all your marinade ingredients into a food processor and pulse until mostly smooth.
- Marinate the chicken – Pour the marinade into a ziplock bag and then add the chicken. Marinate for at least one hour or up to overnight.
- Make the salsa – Stir together the salsa ingredients and store in the fridge until ready.
- Grill the chicken – On a medium grill, cook the chicken for 10-15 minutes total, flipping halfway through.
What is Jerk Flavor?
Jerk seasoning is part of Jamaican cooking and has a very distinct flavor. It’s loaded with punchy ingredients, from allpsice to brown sugar, giving it a salty/sweet flavor. The addition of scotch bonnet peppers gives Jerk its spicy kick. When it all comes together you get deep, warming flavors that are utterly delicious!
Does Jerk have to be spicy?
Traditionally Jerk seasoning is spicy. This recipe uses scotch bonnet or habanero peppers. But you can make it less spicy/kid friendly and it will still be super flavorful. To do this, deseed and remove the ribs from the peppers, or you can use jalapenos or you can omit the pepper altogether.
What to serve with this Easy Jerk Chicken recipe
Jerk chicken delivers a richly flavored, spicy bite, you can serve this up with salads or carbs. Here are some ideas:
- Pineapple Salsa (recipe below)
- Confetti Corn Salad
- Best Beans and Rice
- Spiced Pilaf Rice
- Hawaiian Rolls
Fresh is better
Ideally use fresh ingredients for best flavor, where possible. You will totally notice the difference, the flavor is so much stronger.
More Recipe Notes and Tips
- Allow enough time to marinate so those flavors can really soak into the chicken – at least 1 hour, preferably more.
- You can use chicken thighs. Just check for doneness.
- Before grilling the chicken, rub some oil on the grill to avoid tearing when you flip the chicken.
- You can check doneness by using a meat thermometer. Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, it should read at least 165F
- Remove the ribs and seeds of the peppers to reduce the spiciness of the marinade.
- This chicken is wonderful when topped with a fruit salsa. This quick pineapple salsa is great but you can use your favorite recipe.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
Jerk Chicken Recipe + Marinade
Ingredients
For the Jerk Chicken Marinade
- 2 green onions roughly chopped
- 1/2 onion roughly chopped
- 2 Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers*
- 1 small knob fresh ginger peeled
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 tablespoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or any vinegar
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
For the Pineapple Salsa
- 2 cups diced pineapple fresh is best but any will do
- 1 jalapeno diced
- 1/4 red onion finely diced
- juice from one lime
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
- pinch salt
Instructions
Prepare the marinade:
- Place all the ingredients, except the chicken, in a food processor or blender. Pulse/blend until the mixture is mostly smooth. Place the chicken in a large plastic bag or bowl and pour in the marinade. Toss chicken in the marinade until well-coated. Cover the bowl or seal the bag. Place in the refrigerator to marinate at least 1 hour or up to overnight, which will bring out the best flavor.
Grill the chicken:
- Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 10-15 minutes total, flipping halfway through.
Make the Pineapple Salsa:
- Stir together all ingredients for the pineapple salsa. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve. Spoon over chicken and enjoy.
Notes
- Ideally use fresh ingredients for best flavor, where possible. You will totally notice the difference, the flavor is so much stronger.
- Allow enough time to marinate so those flavors can really soak into the chicken – at least 1 hour, preferably more.
- You can use chicken thighs. Just check for doneness.
- Before grilling the chicken, rub some oil on the grill to avoid tearing when you flip the chicken.
- You can check doneness by using a meat thermometer. Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, it should read at least 165F
- Remove the ribs and seeds of the peppers to reduce the spiciness of the marinade.
- This chicken is wonderful when topped with a fruit salsa. This quick pineapple salsa is great but you can use your favorite recipe.
Gerda says
Excellent marinade! I made the pineapple salsa too! Yum. Making it 2nd time in a week, this time with mango salsa. Is it pineapple salsa in the pictures? Looks more like mango to me, both yummy salsas either way! Will be repeating all summer long. THANKS!
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Gerda! Twice in one week must mean it was love at first bite!
Peter Bull (UK) says
My young grandson loves your jerk chicken.
I would like to know how long you can store the marinade ( less meat) in the fridge or freezer safely. So that I can add meat every weekend.
Thanks Pete
Becky Hardin says
This marinade will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months!