June 26, 2025

Jerk Chicken Recipe - Original with Jamaican Jerk Seasonings

Jerk isn't just a spice blend – it's genuine island feeling, pure grilling tradition, and an integral part of Jamaican culinary culture. And the best part: with the authentic Jerk Seasonings from our online shop, you can bring exactly that feeling home – quickly, easily, and absolutely authentically.

Jamaican Jerk marinades are packed with powerful ingredients straight from Jamaica: Scotch Bonnet chilies, spring onions, real Jamaican pimento (Allspice), and Caribbean thyme ensure the typical, spicy-hot aroma. No long shopping lists, no experimenting – just marinate meat, grill, and enjoy.

Recipe for Jerk Chicken

Ingredients
1 whole chicken or 1.5 kg chicken thighs with skin
1-2 tsp Jerk Seasoning (paste), e.g., from walkerswood, Grace, Tropical Sun
1-2 tbsp Green Seasoning or Chopped Seasoning
1-2 tbsp All Purpose Seasoning or mild Jerk Seasoning (dry)
Salt to taste
30 g Allspice, e.g., YARDIES Allspice
Jamaican Jerk Sauce, for example from Tropical Sun or Home Choice

Preparation
Clean chicken inside and out with a little vinegar and water. Remove visible blood, excess fat, and loose skin with a knife. Then rub the meat with a little lemon juice and massage everything in well. To keep your kitchen germ-free, instead of rinsing, simply place it briefly in cold vinegar and lemon water. Afterwards, pat it thoroughly dry. Make sure to clean your work surface and hands thoroughly with dish soap afterwards.

Seasoning
Pat the meat thoroughly dry.
Mix Jerk Seasoning with Green Seasoning, a little oil, and the dry spices, apply to the meat, and massage in well. Marinate overnight.

A few hours before grilling
Bring a large pot of water to a boil with the allspice berries (YARDIES Allspice) and let it cool down to lukewarm.

Prepare the grill
Light charcoal. Place the drained allspice berries from the previously cooked broth onto the hot coals.

Grilling
Grill the chicken low and slow in a kettle grill for at least 1 hour at the lowest possible temperature. For a nice browning towards the end of the cooking time, brush several times with some Jerk Sauce.

Cut chicken pieces on a large wooden board with a cleaver. Serve with Jerk Sauce, Hot Pepper Sauce, or other sauces.

Serve with rice, festival dumplings, rice and peas, or rice and gungo peas.

You can find suitable Jerk spice blends here: Jerk Products

Want to make the marinade yourself? Here's the recipe for homemade Jerk Marinade: Make Jerk Marinade yourself

Previous article Callaloo Soup with Dumplings

Next article Jerk lamb with African-Oriental couscous

Questions about jerk chicken

Can I also prepare jerk chicken in the oven or air fryer?

Grilling is traditional, but not a prerequisite.

Of course, you can also grill jerk in the oven, which is not uncommon. Especially in winter or in bad weather, you don't have to miss out on the delicious taste of Jerk Chicken.

We recommend cooking chicken thighs at approx. 180 degrees Celsius in a convection oven or air fryer for 45 minutes.

Can I also use chicken breast fillet?

For jerk chicken, chicken with skin is best, whether it's breast, thighs, or a whole chicken. Chicken breast fillets are not very suitable for grilling.

Many jerk seasonings are too spicy for me; how can I make them milder?

Start with 1 tsp per kg of meat. You can reduce the spiciness by adding Green Seasoning or a mild dry spice blend to the Jerk Seasoning paste. This will ensure the meat browns well and gets a delicious flavour without overpowering it. Products like Dunn's River Honey Jerk Seasoning are already very mild and suitable for people with sensitive palates.

How long do opened jerk seasonings last in the refrigerator?

Once opened, jerk seasoning generally lasts 6–12 months in the refrigerator if you observe a few things:

Seal airtight – preferably in the original jar or an airtight container.
Keep dry – don't put a spoon directly from moist meat into the jar, otherwise it can clump or spoil faster.
Store cool – preferably at the back of the refrigerator, not in the door.

What side dishes go with jerk chicken?

Jerk Chicken is best combined with Rice & Peas. You can find the recipe for it here in the food blog.

Festivals are also a great fit. In our shop, you'll find very reliable festival baking mixes for when you need something quick.