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Simple Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe

  • Author: Shawn Williams
  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Jamaican

Description

My spin on grilled jerk chicken—a flavor-packed grilled chicken recipe marinated in a slew of spices and fresh produce like cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, jalapeno, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, and fresh lime juice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds chicken drumsticks or wings
  • 1/2 yellow onion
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/21 jalapeno, sliced and seeded
  • 3 green onions
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (can also use fresh)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients (minus the chicken) and blend until smooth. Place chicken with the sauce in a large covered container or Ziploc bag and mix well. Marinate for at least 1 hour. For best results, marinate overnight.
  2. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and clean the grates well. Grill chicken for 12-15 minutes, rotating every 3-4 minutes until chicken is fully cooked through and nicely browned. Chicken should be cooked until internal temp reads 165ºF. Serve immediately.

Notes

While I like to use jalapeno in this recipe, you can substitute with hotter peppers like habanero for more authentic heat. If you’re worried, start with half a jalapeno and taste the marinade before adding the second half. Not all jalapenos are created equal in terms of heat.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 drumsticks
  • Calories: 747
  • Sugar: 3.3g
  • Sodium: 867mg
  • Fat: 36.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 7.6g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.4g
  • Fiber: 0.9g
  • Protein: 94.6g
  • Cholesterol: 299mg

Keywords: Jamaican jerk chicken, grilled jerk chicken, simple jerk chicken, grilled chicken

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