Ready to whip up Jamaica’s most iconic dish? This island favorite features bold spices, chargrilled flavor, and a marinade you’ll want to use on everything.
Servings: 4
Prep Time:15 Minutes
Cook Time:45 Minutes
Total Time:1 Hour, plus at least 8 hours to marinate
Ingredients
1small yellow onion, cut into large chunks
2 scallions, quartered
2Scotch bonnet or Habanero chili peppers, stemmed (and seeded, if desired; see note) and roughly chopped
2garlic cloves, peeled
1 teaspoonChinese five-spice powder
½ teaspoonallspice
½ teaspoondried thyme
½ teaspoonground nutmeg
¾ teaspoonsalt
⅓ cupsoy sauce
1 tablespoonvegetable oil
2½ to 3 poundsbone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks or breasts)
Preheat the grill to medium heat (about 350-375°F). Clean and oil the cooking grate. Place the chicken, skin side up, on the cooler side of the grill and cook, covered, turning and moving occasionally to prevent burning and flare-ups, for 35 to 40 minutes. If the skin is not yet crispy, move the chicken, skin side down, to the hotter side of the grill; cook, keeping a close watch to prevent burning, until the skin is rendered and crisp, a few minutes. Transfer the chicken to serving platter, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with lime wedges.
Note: Be very careful when working with Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers. They are extremely hot, and if you touch your eyes while handling them, it will be very painful. It's a good idea to wear disposable gloves or wash your hands very well when done. The heat comes from the seeds and membranes, so throw in the whole peppers for spicy jerk chicken. For a milder dish, remove the seeds and membranes from one or both of the peppers.
Note: If you don't have a grill (or grilling weather) the chicken can be roasted in the oven instead. Preheat the oven to 425°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean-up, and set an oven-proof rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chicken on the rack, skin side up, and roast until lightly browned and cooked through, 40 to 45 minutes. Turn on broiler (leave the pan on the middle rack), and cook 1 to 3 minutes more, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.