Jamaican Jerk Chicken
this Caribbean Jerk Chicken Recipe is authentic to Jamaican cuisine. Easy to make and full of flavour, the chicken is crispy and moist while the spices are a delicious blend!

For more ethnic flair for your chicken dinner, try these amazing Chicken Enchiladas, or this Baked Hawaiian Chicken!
Before I went to Jamaica for the first time, everyone {and their dog} told me that i must try the Jerk Chicken. Not having tried it before, I was curious, and always game for a new chicken dish to fall in love with. So I did.
Love at first bite.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken is and always will be a dish that reminds me of sweet Caribbean air, waves kissing the shore, sun and tropical bliss. Funny how some foods bring you back and memories take over.
Once home, and in the bitter cold Canadian Winter, my husband asked if I could make authentic jerk chicken. I’m sure it could be done, and I bet it takes really good.
Yet, I was worried that it wouldn’t be the same. That without the founding beautiful location, having this here would somehow squash those memories where food meets memory.
Ultimately, my craving for this delicious chicken won. I had to get my Jamaican Jerk Chicken fix! So, I tried it …
Homemade Jerk Chicken
Making Jamaican Jerk Chicken at home requires a few ingredients for the jerk marinade.
While there’s quite a few variations on the recipe, I focused primarily on the Sandals Lifestyle one, since I fell in love with Jamaican Jerk Chicken at Sandals Resorts Negril.
Yet, I did change around their recipe a little. I added some lime juice, and real habanero peppers (jalapeno peppers or just hot peppers sometimes) are so hard to come by in small city Alberta.

Marinated Jerk Chicken Recipe
I opted for a Red Habanero Hot Sauce which I picked up at a small and quaint Mexican shop downtown. Which, as a side note, might be one of my favourite shops now.
This jerk recipe calls for a lot of hotness in the form of peppers, onions, scallions, garlic, ginger, allspice. They are the basis for our homemade jerk marinade.
As a warning: your eyes will water when cutting, chopping and the action of just pouring the mixture over the chicken.
The house will fill with the warmest spice of this easy recipe, who knew this alone could make you think that you are actually eating this hot mixture. It’s almost unbelievable.
When you take a bite, it’s not intense and never too much. The hotness cuts down a lot and instead you are left with tons of flavor.
It’s true, this Jamaican Jerk Chicken tastes very similar to the real deal. It’s not exact, to me at least, but it’s so close to that authentic flavor that I get that incredible feeling of nostalgia.
To me, that’s makes the best jerk recipe.
I use a blend of spicy flavors because I have yet to find an overall jamaican jerk seasoning that I like.
If I close my eyes (and shush the kids), I can envision myself on that beach patio. For a minute at least. Hey, I’ll take what I can get!
Ingredients to Make Jerk Chicken:
You’ll need the following simple ingredients to make this easy jerk chicken recipe, most of them are the marinade ingredients. The full detailed instructions for this best jerk chicken are on the printable recipe card below.
- Red Habanero Hot Sauce
- fresh thyme
- freshly ground allspice
- chopped fresh ginger
- chopped onion
- chopped garlic
- finely chopped green onions, using both the white and the green parts
- 5 individual pieces of chicken
- freshly ground black pepper
- soy sauce
- Juice squeezed out of 3 Limes

How to Make our Jerk Chicken Sauce
Using a food processor, mince together the hot sauce, thyme, all spice, ginger, onion, garlic, green onion, and black pepper until it’s a fine mixture. Then stir in the soy sauce.
This is the easy marinade or jerk sauce with such a delicious flavor.
Place chicken pieces into a baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray or rubbed with olive oil or vegetable oil.
Pour jamaican jerk marinade over the chicken and make sure all sides of the chicken is coated. If you wish, you can also marinade in a large zip-top bag or large resealable plastic bag.
How long to Marinate jerk chicken? The answer is to marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, to overnight for best results. The key is to allow time for the chicken to soak well in the jamaican jerk chicken marinade.
Bring chicken to room temperature before cooking. Cook marinated chicken in the oven at 375 Fahrenheit for a cook time of about 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Make sure to insert a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reads cooked, and the outside should be crispy.
What types of Chicken to Use:
I like to cook jerk chicken with chicken legs leg with back attached, because they are generous in size. You can also use chicken legs, chicken drumsticks, chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts.
You can also use this recipe the make jerk chicken wings.
What to Serve with Jerk Chicken.
We love to serve this chicken dish with maximum flavor with french fries and a salad, just like we did on the beach. So I suggest coleslaw, caesar salad, potato salad, sweet potato fries, sweet potatoes, or chicken salad.
You can also serve this with coconut rice, brown rice or white rice. The delicious marinade compliments all well.
Black beans, red beans, jamaican rice, plantain chips, cilantro lime rice, collard greens, and mango salsa make a perfect side dish for this authentic jerk chicken recipe.
They help bring out the savory flavor of this great recipe. Have one sweet tasty side dish to contrast the spicy chicken. Fresh pineapple slices make a great side dish. All the taste buds will be happy.
Storage
Place authentic jamaican jerk chicken leftovers in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Next time I make this jamaican jerk chicken recipe, I will barbecue it on our gas grill or the charcoal grill. I opted for oven-cooked this time, yet I’m sure it would be even closer to the real-deal if the chicken were grilled on indirect heat.
No matter the cooking method (even the air fryer!), its this jerk chicken marinade and the fresh flavor as main ingredients that will steal the show. Plus you’ll get the most juicy chicken.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Jamaican Jerk Chicken is a recipe that is authentic to Jamaican cuisine. Easy to make and full of flavour, the chicken is crispy and moist while the spices are a delicious blend!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Red Habanero Hot Sauce
- 2 tablespoons stemmed fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
- ¾ cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1 ½ cups finely chopped scallions, using the white and the green parts
- 5 chicken pieces {leg with back attached is what I use}
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- Juice squeezed out of 3 Limes
Instructions
- Mince the first 8 ingredients {except for the soy sauce and chicken} in a food processor, until it's a fine mixture.
- Stir in the soy sauce.
- Place chicken parts into a baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Pour mixture over the chicken and make sure all sides of the chicken is coated.
- Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, to overnight.
- Bring chicken to room temperate before cooking
- Cook at 375 for 1 hour and 25 minutes or until the outside is crispy and chicken is well cooked.
- Enjoy with fries and a salad if you wish {coleslaw or caesar}
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 115Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 1527mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 3gSugar: 9gProtein: 8g

That really does sound amazing. I’ll have to see if I can find all the ingredients at our local store.
Substitute the habanero if you need to, that was the hardest for me to find. yet, we do live North… boo! lol
My husband would love this! def going to have to give this one a shot!
Let me know what you think when you do!! 🙂
My husband has been getting into spices like this, so I bet he would love it! Normally I wouldn’t try this, but you have me sold!!
I normally don’t like a lot of intense spices, yet this is delicious. Definitely worth a try!!
I love spicy foods! This sounds delicious.
This ones for you then, Stacie!! 🙂
This looks amazing, I am a big fan of Jerk chicken, it is spicy and flavorful and yours looks so very good.
Thanks Susan!!
With the hot sauce and allspice, my husband would be in love with this recipe! I’m not very good with spicy meals, but I would definitely make this for him!
Let me know how it goes!! 🙂
I absolutely LOVE Jerk Chicken! I have to try this Jamaican version! It sounds amazing! I never would have thought allspice would be included.
Truthfully, I’ve never made anything with Allspice, I had to buy some. What else can I use it for?
Thanks for the recipe! My husband would absolutely love this!
You are very welcome Anne!
Oh wow this looks so delicious!!!
Thanks Kristin, let me know if you try it!!
Your jerk chicken recipe looks delicious! I am going to have to try this, we love jerk chicken!
Nice! Jerk Chicken lovers unite!!! 🙂
That does sound absolutely delicious; Kudos to you for making it!
Thanks Brenda!! 🙂
This looks so good. I’m going to have to try it for dinner soon!
🙂
Love me some jerk. One day I will have some in Jamaica!!
My husband loves to grill, so this would be a great change-up for our usual burgers and hot dogs! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Fantastic!!
Yum my mouth is watering. We’ll have to try this jerk chicken.
🙂
Ooh yummy, I’ve always been curious about Jamaican Jerk Chicken.. but never got around to making it. Sounds like I have a new recipe to try. This sounds delish!
It’s easier than I thought too! Glad I tried it!
Looks wonderful! I love Jerk Chicken and will definitely want to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
You are very welcome!! 🙂
I would love to try jerk chicken. Looks very good!
🙂
I’m thinking marinade it overnight and let that flavor explode!
For sure!!
MMM this sounds amazing! What a wonderful memory you have associated with it!
I tried Jerk Chicken in the best place possible, great memories indeed!
Yea, that looks absolutely amazing! I’ll have to try and make this soon.
🙂
This sounds so good and whether the cuts down a little or not, I’ll love it. I do love a bit of fire.
Pile it on then Liz!! 😉
That sounds delicious! I have never had anything jerk recipe related before,
I’ll try Jerk Shrimp next I think!
Never had jerk chicken, must try it!
I have never been to Jamaica, but maybe someday.. Delicious recipe:)
This looks so delicious, thank you for sharing!
I fell in love with Jerk Chicken at a Beaches in Jamaica so I will definitely have to try this. I have been using jerk seasoning from the Bulk Barn and it is tasty but does match what we had in Jamaica. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds very good, and ya that was my biggest concern was the spicy and hotness of this dish, but after reading your post and I will trust you that it’s not to hot after all, I am going to make this as I too am always looking for new ways to jazz my chicken up a bit…thanks for sharing!
This sounds really good! I am always looking for new ideas for chicken. YUM!
I have never tried Jerk Chicken but I have heard amazing things about it, may have to give your recipe a try once we get the BBQ up and running.
I love super spicy so jerk chicken is one of my favorites too. I can’t wait for BBQ season!
i am going to make this, hubby will love all the spices,since he does not eat salt,thanks
This recipe looks so good! I’ve never made or even tried Jamaican Jerk Chicken! Where have I been?!
Love to try this
this looks absolutely mouthwateringly delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe, pinned to try for later!
This sounds awesome Tammi! I will have to try it. We, also stayed at Sandals Negril and fell in love with the Jamaicans and their beautiful country! Do you drain off the marinade before baking? Thanks for doing the work to make and share this recipe. 😀
I love Jerk Chicken! One of my faves! Yours looks so good!
Sounds delicious. I’ve never had Jamaican Jerk Chicken but looks yummy.
I’ve never eaten Jerk anything before..and you definitely have convinced me it’s something I need to make now!
And now you made me courious about trying it!! Guess I will be hosting a. Jamaican themed dinner this weekend
would absolutely love this; I know!!!