Description
Jerk is a style of cooking native to Jamaica, in which meat is dry-rubbed or wet-marinated with a hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. This Jerk Chicken recipe captures the fiery, aromatic, and smoky flavors of authentic jerk. The marinade is a complex blend of scallions, hot Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and thyme. The chicken is marinated for hours to absorb all the flavor, then grilled to perfection. It’s a dish that is bursting with flavor and is perfect for a summer barbecue.
A Taste of History
The origins of jerk cooking can be traced back to the indigenous Taíno people of Jamaica, who used a similar method to preserve meat. The technique was later adopted and refined by Maroons, African slaves who escaped to the Jamaican mountains. They blended their own culinary traditions with the native ingredients, creating the spicy, smoky jerk marinade we know today. The allspice wood used for grilling is a key component of authentic jerk.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
40 minutes
Total Time
4 hours
Ingredients & Nutrition
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Instructions
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