Jerk Chicken is a delightful Caribbean chicken recipe that is spicy, sweet, zesty, and has the most delicious crispy skin. Marinating the chicken overnight makes it flavorful and juicy.

If you love grilled chicken recipes, try this Grilled Honey Balsamic Chicken, Grilled Chipotle Chicken with Pineapple Salsa, Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken Skewers, or this Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad with Candied Bacon.

Jerk Chicken

Hi! It’s Natasha here from Salt & Lavender bringing you this tasty grilled jerk chicken recipe. It’s actually pretty easy to make your own jerk seasoning blend. There’s many different variations out there. This version makes it easy by using a combination of ground spices plus fresh lime juice, ginger, and chili peppers. Allspice is a key ingredient that I would not leave out when making this marinade. It’s easily found in most grocery stores in the spice aisle.

Jerk chicken ingredients

• Chicken thighs and drumsticks
• Brown sugar
• Ground allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg
• Garlic powder
• Dried thyme
• Salt
• Fresh ginger
• Lime juice
• Chili peppers (use habanero, scotch bonnet, or serrano)
• Scallions

What cut of chicken to use?

I recommend using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and/or drumsticks. They hold up well to grilling, and they remain moist. You could even cut up a whole chicken if you feel comfortable doing that. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but they tend to dry out.

Try This Next Za’atar Chicken

How to make jerk chicken

1. Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl. Stir until everything is combined.
2. Add chicken pieces to a large ZipLoc bag.
3. Pour the marinade into the ZipLoc and toss until the chicken is coated.
4. Marinade at least 12 hours (up to 24 hours or so). Overnight works well.
5. Grill or roast the chicken in the oven (further instructions are provided in the recipe card below).
6. Garnish with chopped scallions.

How to grill jerk chicken

Oil the grill’s grate and cook the chicken pieces over medium-high heat until they’re cooked through (approximately 25 minutes). Every grill varies, so it’s important to use your best judgement so it doesn’t burn. I recommend keeping an eye on it while it’s cooking (don’t just leave it), turning it frequently, and if it looks like the skin is getting too charred, turn down the heat and/or move it to a cooler part of your BBQ. Internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165F before you eat it.

How to make jerk chicken in the oven

Preheat oven to 400F. Arrange chicken pieces in a baking dish or a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast chicken for 35-45 minutes. Ensure the chicken’s internal temperature is 165F prior to eating it. For extra crispy skin, broil it for a few minutes at the end if needed.

What to serve with jerk chicken

You can’t go wrong with rice, pasta, or a salad. Or try these Garlic Parmesan Green Beans with Bacon.

Recipe notes:

• If you can’t find habanero peppers, try serrano peppers or scotch bonnet peppers. I’ve also made this with jalapeno peppers, but they aren’t quite as spicy, so I suggest using one jalapeno if you want this recipe to be milder.
• I always keep a piece of fresh ginger in my freezer (in a resealable bag or Tupperware container). It makes it so much easier to grate, and I’m never without ginger that way.

More tasty chicken recipes you may like:

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Za’atar Chicken

Seasoned with a traditional Middle Eastern Za’atar spice blend and grilled, this Za’atar chicken is juicy and packed with unique flavors. In just 20 minutes you’ll have a flavorful and filling dinner that no one will forget!

If you have never heard of Za’atar seasoning, you are not alone! I just heard of it recently, and now I’m hooked! It’s a great savory blend of warm and earthy seasonings that will really wow your taste buds. You can also make the spice at home! If you like homemade spices, you’ll have to try this Homemade Fajita Seasoning, this better than store bought Italian Seasoning, and this Taco Seasoning too!

Grilled Za’atar Chicken

So at this point you may be wondering what is Za’atar seasoning? It is a blend of savory, nutty, and earthy spices that usually includes oregano, thyme, marjoram, and sumac. There are different blends of Za’atar seasoning based on where you are eating it. Kind of like curry the ingredients can change based on the area it’s made in. I have a link to the Za’atar seasoning blend in the recipe box below too if you want to make it, or you can pick it up from the store.

Grilled Za’atar Chicken is quickly marinated in the Za’atar seasoning and olive oil and grilled to perfection. I really think you are going to love this dish! It’s an easy 20 minute dinner that would go great with some pita bread and hummus. I also love with baba ganoush which goes great with this Za’atar seasoning. You can actually sprinkle some on top and the flavor is incredible. I think this will be a new family favorite!

Ingredients

These simple ingredients combine to make the most delicious and moist chicken. This Za’atar chicken is so unique, and amazingly flavorful! If you are looking for a great easy dinner, then this is the recipe for you! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: If you get a breast that is really thick, then you’ll want to flatten it out a bit so that it will all cook evenly on the grill.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil is a must for this recipe. It’s a great quality oil that helps the flavors in the seasonings really pop.
• Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is just what this recipe needs to bring out all of these gorgeous flavors!
• Za’atar Seasoning: I love making this blend at home! It is really herby and nutty, and perfect on meat. I add sesame seeds, coriander, and salt to my blend and I think it’s fantastic!
• Garlic: Minced garlic is one of my favorite things to eat on chicken. It’s so full of flavor and makes every bite the perfect one!

Za’atar Chicken Recipe

This recipe is so easy! I love how quickly it comes together and it really is so delicious. I ate it with some tomatoes and pita bread and it was perfection. Some of my kids added salt and pepper, but I thought it was perfect the way it was. You can make it however you like, and I know you are going to love it!

Popular Recipe Grilled Fish with Lemon and Capers

1. Whisk: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, za’atar seasoning, and garlic.
2. Put in Bag: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag then pour the mixture over the chicken.
3. Refrigerate: Seal the bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
4. Grill: Grill chicken breasts on medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165° Fahrenheit.
5. Enjoy: Let the chicken rest before slicing and enjoying!

Tips for Grilling Chicken

Here are a few simple ways to make yourself the master of the grill! Once your friends and family get a bite of your grilled Za’atar chicken, they’ll be hooked. It’s hard not to be when they’re so juicy and flavorful.

• Use a Thermometer: This step is super important so that your chicken doesn’t dry out on the grill. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of your chicken. You can take them off the grill when the temperature inside reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you cook them any more than that, they may dry out.
• Let Rest: The key to juicy grilled Za’atar chicken is letting it rest for a minute or two after you pull it off the grill. This allows all of the tasty juices to reabsorb, giving you chicken breast that will melt in your mouth! If you cut into them too soon after grilling, those juices may be released instead of absorbing back into the meat.
• Dripping: If you have seasoning and oil dripping off of your chicken, it will make the flames touch the meat and that’s where the black burned part comes from. If you don’t want crispy crunchy parts on your chicken, make sure that your seasoning is all over your chicken, but not dripping off.

Storing Leftovers

Who doesn’t wan’t grilled Za’atar chicken for leftovers? This recipe makes enough to serve eight people, so if you need to save your leftovers here is how.

In the Refrigerator: Store your cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

More Chicken Recipes

I love a simple chicken dinner! But sometimes chicken can taste boring when you are always making it the same way. Here are some recipes that will give you great ideas to keep your chicken tasting unique and juicy!

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