Description
Jerk chicken brings Caribbean spice straight to your dinner table with bold, zesty flavors that dance across your palate. Drizzled with a creamy cilantro lime sauce, this dish turns an ordinary meal into a tropical celebration of taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken drumsticks
Seasoning Base:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Liquid and Finishing Components:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Blend ¼ cup soy sauce, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning, salt, and pepper into a smooth marinade.
- Drop 4 chicken thighs and 4 drumsticks into a large resealable plastic bag. Pour entire marinade over the meat and seal completely. Massage bag thoroughly to ensure each piece gets coated evenly.
- Refrigerate the marinated chicken for at least 2 hours, turning the bag occasionally to redistribute the marinade.
- Heat your grill to 400°F with medium-high direct heat. Remove chicken from bag and discard remaining liquid.
- Position chicken skin-side down on grill grates. Cook for 6-7 minutes until skin turns golden and crispy.
- Flip chicken pieces and continue grilling for another 6-7 minutes. Confirm doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part.
- Transfer grilled chicken to a clean platter. Allow meat to rest for 3-4 minutes so juices redistribute throughout the chicken.
- Sprinkle fresh cilantro leaves across the top of the chicken just before serving. Accompany with cilantro lime sauce on the side.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavor absorption and tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F without overcooking, which can dry out the meat.
- For a smoky flavor boost, add wood chips to your grill or use a charcoal grill instead of gas.
- If grilling isn’t possible, bake the chicken in a 425°F oven on a wire rack for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg