Want to make Jerk Chicken the entire family will enjoy. That was my dilemma. How can my 2 year old enjoy Jerk Chicken that isn’t overpowered by spice? I created this Jerk Chicken recipe you can do on your BBQ.
Before getting started I’m going to let you know you will need to marinate the chicken 6-10 hour preferable one day in advance. Why marinate so long? You want to get all the flavour from the spices into the chicken.
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Here’s what you need for jamaican jerk chicken
3lb whole chicken you can either butterfly the chicken or cut it in half if you are doing a mild and spicy version like me.
1/2 white onion
2-3 cloves of garlic
2 green onions
2 tbsp fresh thyme
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp fresh minced ginger
Dash of salt ( 1/4 tsp or less)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
For your spicy jerk chicken
1-2 scotch bonnet if you like very spicy leave the seeds in
( I used 1 jalapeño pepper with seeds)
( use gloves if your cutting the pepper to remove seeds )
Liquids
1/3 cup soya sauce
1/3 cup of chicken bouillon / chicken broth
1/4 tsp browning ( you can do 1/2 tsp from more color)
2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
If your doing a spicy and mild version remember to keep your spicy peppers separate
Make your jerk marinade with the ingredients lists above using a food processor I use the cuisinart custom 11 cup food processor
Cut and Clean your chicken ( you can also ask your butcher to cut the chicken in advance) use juice from 1 lemon and 1/2 cup vinegar 1/2 cup water rinse and pat dry
( optional to season the chicken before marinade)
1/2 tsp of ground pepper , onion powder, garlic powder, paprika
1/4 tsp salt
If your do a mild and spicy version this is when you pour your mild marinade on your chicken rub it in really well and refrigerate for 6-10 hours or overnight
Do the same thing with your spicy marinade
Take your chicken out 30 min before you begin grilling
Set your bbq to 350F cooking Jerk chicken for 45-60 min
Grill your chicken skin side up 15-30 min and flip to the skin side for 20-30 min
You will want to reach 165F internal temperature
I use my meat thermometer to double check
You can pair jerk chicken with rice and peas, potatoes, steamed vegetables or a salad
Enjoy!
