Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken topped with a fresh pepper salsa is bursting with flavor! Make it as a meal over rice or as an appetizer with fondue.
We have a restaurant in the Twin Cities called Redstone American Grill that has jerk chicken fondue on their appetizer menu. Ever since my daughter introduced me to it, I’ve been obsessed!
Since I am not able to get to that restaurant as often as I crave the appetizer, I decided to recreate the recipe so that I can eat it as often as I want. Today I’m sharing the Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe. The restaurant cuts it into bite-sized pieces for fondue but it would be fabulous for a family meal served rice or on a salad.
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Where is the Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe? In this post, I will share step-by-step instructions with photos for how to make this easy meal, as well as answering FAQs about the recipe and sharing a short video showing the recipe in motion. But you can go directly to the recipe by scrolling down to the bottom of the post.
How To Make Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Step One: Marinade
For this recipe, the chicken needs to be marinated for an hour before cooking it. Not only will this help to give the chicken lots of flavor the but vinegar will tenderize the chicken and the oil will make it more moist.
Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, and Jamaican jerk seasoning in a small bowl.
Step Two: Marinate Chicken
Pour the Jamaican jerk marinade over boneless, skinless chicken breasts and place them in the fridge to marinate for one hour.
My favorite way to marinate chicken is to put it in a gallon-sized ziptop bag. Roll down the top of the bag so that it stays clean when you add the chicken and marinade.
Once you zip the top closed, it is easy to turn the chicken to cover all sides with the marinade without making a mess. When the chicken is done marinating, the bag can be thrown away!
Another great marinade you may be interested in is my Stir Fry Sauce!
Step Three: Salsa Ingredients
While the chicken is marinating, make the Jamaican jerk salsa that will be served on top of the chicken. This salsa adds so much flavor and is the perfect thing to compliment the grilled chicken.
Thinly slice yellow and orange peppers and then chop into smaller pieces. Slice green onions and add them to the bowl along with olive oil, brown sugar, lime juice, and Jamaican jerk seasoning.
Step Four: Jamaican Jerk Salsa
Mix up the salsa and place in the fridge until ready to use.
This Jamaican jerk salsa recipe would also be delicious on fish or tacos. It could be served as an appetizer with tortilla chips!
Step Five: Chicken
Grill the chicken over medium heat for 12-16 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F.
I finally got a cast iron grill pan that I can use on my stovetop and I already love it! Makes me wonder why I waited so long to get one. Now I can grilled chicken, steak and burgers in the house during the winter instead of standing outside in the freezing cold.
Step Six: Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Once the chicken is finished cooking, remove the salsa from the fridge and spoon it over the chicken.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe FAQs
1. What is Jamaican jerk seasoning? Jamaican jerk seasoning is a combination of sweet, savory and spicy ingredients. My local grocery store makes their own custom blend that includes garlic, onion, brown sugar, crushed red peppers, lime juice powder, pepper, thyme, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, and ginger!
2. Can I make Jamaican jerk chicken in the oven instead of on the grill? Yes, bake it at 400 degrees for 18-23 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F.
3. Would this be good without the Jamaican jerk salsa? Yes, you can make the chicken without the salsa and it will still be delicious but not as flavorful.
4. Is this recipe Keto or low carb? If you are on a low carb or Keto diet, use an alternative sweetener in place of the brown sugar. There is also some sugar in the Jamaican jerk seasoning. You can either be okay with the small amount since most of the marinade is thrown away or make your own seasoning blend.
5. What should I serve with Jamaican jerk chicken? We love it dipped in smoked gouda fondue! It would also be delicious with rice, cilantro lime cauliflower rice, or roasted vegetables.
Want More Chicken Recipes? Try These Next:
Honey Garlic Chicken is so easy to prepare and will be a family favorite! Made with chicken breasts and a four ingredient honey garlic sauce. Add cut up broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, carrots or peas for honey garlic chicken stir fry.
This 30-minute skillet recipe for Orange Chicken is easy to make and so delicious! It’s an easy dinner recipe that your whole family will love.
Craving low carb comfort food? Try this Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash recipe that is easy to make. Your family won’t even miss the pasta!
Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
Jamaican Jerk Salsa
- ½ cup sliced yellow peppers
- ½ cup sliced red peppers
- ½ cup sliced green onions
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon Jamaican jerk seasoning
Instructions
- Whisk together the olive oil, Jamaican jerk seasoning, and vinegar. Pour over the chicken breast. Cover and marinate in the fridge for one hour.
- Discard marinade. Grill chicken breasts over medium heat for 12-16 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F.
- Top with Jamaican jerk salsa.
Jamaican Jerk Salsa
- Put all of the ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Cover and store in the fridge until ready to use.
Video
Notes
Storage:
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 1-2 months.Nutrition
Shona says
In Jamaica a side dish served with jerk chicken is rice and peas (I was surprised because what they call peas, we call red beans). It is quite good… I like to put some of the jerk seasoning in the rice when I cook it and I just use cans bean with a little fresh garlic.
Tonia says
That sounds fabulous! ~Tonia