Seriously Good Homemade Jerk Chicken Marinade

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a trip to the Caribbean? This jerk chicken marinade will take you there! It's got all the right flavours and that delicious spicy kick that you would absolutely love!

Brief Overview

Jamaican jerk marinade has a rich history, passed down generations in jamaica. it is super easy to make, but takes a bit to marinate.

This recipe serves 6-8 people and is perfect for a bbq or a party!

Main Benefits

This jerk seasoning recipe is packed with flavour! plus, allspice has anti-inflammatory benefits. it's the perfect recipe for a weekend cookout with friends.

What makes this homemade jerk marinade special is the balance of heat and spice, resulting in a mouthwatering, unforgettable experience.

What's the Fuss About Jerk Chicken Anyway?

Have you ever wondered what makes jerk chicken so darn good? it's all about the marinade! we're talking about an authentic jerk marinade that's been perfected over generations in jamaica.

This isn't your average spicy chicken marinade ; it's a symphony of flavours.

The Secret's in the Sauce: Our Seriously Good Jerk Chicken Marinade

This recipe will help you to create the best jamaican jerk chicken recipe ever! forget about bland chicken. this is all about that complex, spicy, and smoky flavour that makes caribbean marinade recipes so addictive.

Trust me, once you try this grilled jerk chicken recipe , you'll never go back.

Why This Recipe Rocks

The main hero here is the scotch bonnet pepper marinade which is hot. this recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner cooks.

Also, it is super customizable: adjust the spice level to your liking! plus, you can use this jamaican jerk marinade on anything: chicken, pork, tofu, even veggies!

Right then, let's talk about what you need to get this seriously good homemade jerk chicken marinade cracking! this isn't just any jerk chicken marinade ; we are talking about serious flavour here.

You know, the kind that makes you wanna dance in the kitchen. seriously, you'll forget the bland chicken exists once you dive into these jerk marinade recipes .

Seriously Good Homemade Jerk Chicken Marinade Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:45 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 scallions, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2-3 Scotch bonnet peppers, seeded and minced (adjust to taste)
• 1 medium onion, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Juice of 1 lime
• 3-4 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on thighs and drumsticks work best)

Instructions:

• Combine all marinade ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Tip: Start with less Scotch bonnet and add more to taste.
• Place chicken pieces in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring it's evenly coated.
• Cover bowl or seal bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight (8-24 hours).
• Preheat grill to medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade). Grill chicken, turning occasionally, until cooked through and juices run clear when pierced with a fork, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45-60 minutes, or until cooked through.
• Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450

Fat:25g

Fiber:2g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Jamaican

Ingredients & Equipment

Main Ingredients

Okay, grab your notepad. Here's what you'll need for my Authentic Jerk Marinade :

• For the Marinade:
  • 6 scallions, chopped (about 1 cup ). Basically, a bunch of green onions. (Approx. 6 scallions, 1 cup)
  • 2-3 Scotch bonnet peppers, seeded and minced. This is where the 🔥 comes from. (Approx. 2-3 peppers)
  • 1 medium onion, roughly chopped (about 1 cup ). Standard cooking onion, nothing fancy. (Approx. 1 medium, 1 cup)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced. Gotta have that garlic! (Approx. 4 cloves)
  • 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped. About 5 cm , if you're measuring. (Approx. 5 cm)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce ( 30 ml ).
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ( 30 ml ).
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ( 30 ml ). Adds a nice tang.
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (packed) ( 15 ml ).
  • 1 tablespoon ground allspice ( 15 ml ). Key ingredient for jerk flavour!
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme ( 5 ml ).
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ( 5 ml ).
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg ( 2.5 ml ).
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves ( 2.5 ml ).
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper ( 2.5 ml ).
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) ( 1.25 ml ).
  • 1 teaspoon salt ( 5 ml ).
  • Juice of 1 lime (Approx. 1 lime)
  • For the Chicken:
    • 3-4 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on) (Approx. 1.4-1.8 kg)

For quality, make sure those scotch bonnets are vibrant. the chicken? free-range if you can. it honestly tastes better. don't skimp on the allspice either, it's the soul of jamaican jerk marinade .

Seasoning Notes

Allspice, thyme, cinnamon, and nutmeg are the magic combo here. don't skip them! want more heat? add a pinch of cayenne.

No scotch bonnets? habaneros will do in a pinch, but careful they're fiery. the scotch bonnet pepper marinade is what makes it authentic jerk marinade .

Equipment Needed

You'll need:

• A food processor or blender. Essential to make the paste.
• A big bowl or zip-top bag. For marinating the chicken.
• Gloves. Trust me on this one, for handling Scotch bonnets. You don't want pepper burn.
• Grill. Obviously, for that lovely grilled jerk chicken recipe , but an oven works too.

No food processor? chop everything really fine. it'll be a bit chunkier, but still tasty. ziploc bags are great. they let you turn the chicken and marinade it evenly.

Oh, and you need to discard the marinade.

Honestly, this spicy chicken marinade recipe is pretty straightforward, but the result? unreal. think sun, sea, and seriously good food.

Let's get cooking! it's the best jamaican jerk chicken recipe ever! are you ready for caribbean marinade recipes that will knock your socks off? try this homemade jerk marinade today!

Seriously Good Homemade Jerk Chicken Marinade

Oh my gosh, you have to try this! this authentic jerk marinade is seriously next-level. it brings a taste of the caribbean right to your kitchen.

It’s like sunshine in a bowl, but with a proper kick! honestly? this is probably the best jamaican jerk chicken recipe you’ll ever make.

Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place

First things first. gather all your bits. chop your 6 scallions , roughly. then, mince 4 cloves of garlic and about 5 cm of ginger.

Peel and chop 1 medium onion , then mince 2-3 scotch bonnet peppers (wear gloves!). got it? great. it’s all about that mise en place, you know? get everything ready.

Saves you stress later.

Safety First: Those Scotch bonnets are no joke. The capsaicin will burn! Wear gloves and avoid touching your eyes. Trust me, I’ve been there.

The Jerk Chicken Marinade Process

1. Combine 6 scallions , 2-3 Scotch bonnet peppers , 1 medium onion , 4 cloves garlic , 5 cm ginger , 30 ml soy sauce , 30 ml vegetable oil , 30 ml apple cider vinegar , 15 ml brown sugar , 15 ml allspice , 5 ml dried thyme , 5 ml cinnamon , 2.5 ml nutmeg , 2.5 ml cloves , 2.5 ml black pepper , 1.25 ml cayenne pepper , 5 ml salt , and juice of 1 lime in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth. Give it a taste. Need more heat? Add tiny bits of Scotch bonnet.
3. Place 1.4-1.8 kg chicken pieces in a bowl or bag.
4. Pour the jerk chicken marinade all over. Make sure everything is covered.
5. Marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours , but overnight is better. Up to 24 hours is perfect!

Pro Tips for Jerk Perfection

Want some insider tips for a really banging grilled jerk chicken recipe ? here are some. the longer you marinate, the deeper the flavor.

Seriously. also, don’t skip the allspice. it's what sets a good jerk seasoning recipe apart. finally, a common mistake? not using enough scotch bonnet.

But, be careful! taste, taste, taste. too much heat and you'll need to dilute it down by adding more volume of the other ingredients.

For a truly homemade jerk marinade , find fresh spices if possible. i find that is the best way to make an authentic jerk marinade .

Honestly, making your own spicy chicken marinade is so much better than shop-bought. plus, this jamaican jerk marinade recipe is pretty versatile.

You can adapt it to your taste. i use this recipe all the time!. don't be afraid to experiment! it's the only way to achieve perfection.

Enjoy your caribbean marinade recipes !

Recipe Notes for Epic Jerk Chicken

This homemade jerk marinade recipe is a game-changer. but before you dive in, let’s chat about a few things. honestly, these tips can make or break your best jamaican jerk chicken recipe .

Trust me, i learned the hard way! one time, i forgot the gloves when handling scotch bonnets, and oh my gosh, my hands were on fire for hours! never again!

Serving Suggestions That Sizzle

Wanna take your grilled jerk chicken recipe to the next level? plating matters! arrange the chicken on a platter. garnish with fresh herbs.

Think vibrant colors! serve it alongside classic rice and peas. a tangy coleslaw cuts through the spice. i also love a fresh mango salsa.

Trust me, it's heaven! for drinks, try an ice-cold red stripe beer or homemade lemonade. you know? it is essential to balance the flavors to bring the best experience

Storage Secrets

Got leftovers? lucky you! store your cooked jerk chicken in an airtight container. it’ll happily chill in the fridge for up to 3-4 days .

You can also freeze it! wrap it tightly in cling film. then pop it in a freezer bag. it’ll keep for up to 2-3 months .

When reheating, bake at 350° f ( 175° c) until heated through. or microwave it carefully, to avoid it going rubbery!

Remixing Your Marinade

Fancy a twist on this authentic jerk marinade ? no worries! to lower the heat, ditch some of the scotch bonnet pepper.

If you love heat, try experimenting with different types of chilli peppers. i want to find the best spicy chicken marinade ever.

For a sweeter vibe, add a dollop of honey or maple syrup. you can even adapt this caribbean marinade recipes for vegan friends! tofu or tempeh work great.

Just marinate and grill as usual. my neighbor, who's vegan, swears by it!

Nutrition Nuggets

Okay, let's break down some numbers (roughly, mind you). each serving is about 400-500 calories . you're getting a good dose of protein.

Around 40-50 grams . it's also a good source of vitamins and minerals. from the spices and herbs. just be mindful of the sodium.

Jerk seasoning can be salty. the star of the show is allspice! it can help digestion. ginger is great for inflammation.

Spices make food yummy and healthy.

So there you have it! my top tips for making the most amazing jerk chicken. i really want you to find some jerk marinade recipes that you can keep forever.

Just grab my recipe for jerk chicken marinade and go try it!. don't be scared to experiment. most importantly, have fun! you got this.

Seriously, your taste buds will thank you.