Spicy Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Fiery Marinade
A bold and aromatic jerk chicken recipe with a fiery marinade made from Scotch bonnet peppers, scallions, and warm spices, grilled to crispy perfection.
- Prep15 min
- Cook45 min
- Total1h
- DifficultyMedium
- Servings4
This jerk chicken is the ultimate Caribbean comfort food, packed with layers of heat and spice. The marinade, a vibrant blend of onion, scallions, Scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, and a mix of Chinese five-spice, allspice, thyme, nutmeg, and soy sauce, creates a deeply flavorful crust when grilled.
Marinate the chicken overnight for the best results, then cook it low and slow on a medium grill to render the skin and lock in moisture. Finish with a quick sear for that irresistible crispy skin, and serve with fresh lime wedges to balance the heat.
Ingredients
Marinade
Chicken
For serving
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- In a food processor, combine the onion, scallions, Scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, Chinese five-spice, allspice, thyme, nutmeg, salt, soy sauce, and vegetable oil. Process until the vegetables are finely puréed and the mixture is relatively smooth, though it will be slightly gritty.
- Place the chicken pieces in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, and massage the chicken to coat evenly. Place the bag in a bowl to catch any leaks, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. Before grilling, let the chicken come to room temperature.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350–375°F / 175–375°F). Clean and oil the cooking grate.
- Place the chicken pieces skin side up on the cooler side of the grill. Cover and cook, 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, watching closely to prevent burning, until the skin is rendered and crisp, about a few minutes.
- Transfer the chicken to a serving platter, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with lime wedges.
💡 Tips
- For less heat, remove the seeds from the Scotch bonnet peppers before chopping.
- Let the chicken marinate overnight for the most intense flavor.
- If using chicken breasts, reduce grilling time slightly to prevent drying out.
Inspired by a recipe from Once Upon a Chef
