Best 7 Matts Jerk Chicken Recipes

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If you're looking for a tantalizing and flavorful Jamaican dish, Matt's Jerk Chicken is an absolute must-try. This delectable recipe combines the fiery heat of scotch bonnet peppers with a harmonious blend of aromatic spices, creating a dish that will excite your taste buds and transport you to the heart of the Caribbean. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets behind this iconic dish and provide you with a step-by-step guide to making Matt's Jerk Chicken that will leave your friends and family craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MATT'S JERK CHICKEN



Matt's Jerk Chicken image

Get ready for a trip to the Islands. You may think jerk chicken is complicated, but really, all it takes is time. Throw on some tunes, grab an icy drink and prepare to be transported. Have a smoker? You can smoke the chicken first and finish it on the grill. -Jenn Hall, Collingswood, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h15m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 large onion, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
3/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup dark rum
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 habanero or Scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and minced
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1-1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1-1/2 teaspoons rubbed sage
1-1/2 teaspoons pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 pounds bone-in chicken breast halves and thighs
1/2 cup whole allspice berries
1 cup applewood chips
1/2 cup ketchup

Steps:

  • Process first 18 ingredients, covered, in a blender until smooth. Divide chicken into 2 large resealable plastic bags; pour half the onion mixture in each. Seal bags; turn to coat. Refrigerate overnight., Soak allspice berries in water for 30 minutes. Drain chicken, reserving 1-1/2 cups marinade. Preheat grill and prepare for indirect heat. On a piece of heavy-duty foil (12 in. square), place soaked allspice berries; fold foil around berries to form a packet, crimping edges to seal. Using a small skewer, poke holes in packet. Repeat process for the applewood chips. Place packets over heat on grate of gas grill or in coals of charcoal grill., Place chicken on greased grill rack, skin side down. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat until a thermometer reads 165° when inserted into breasts and 170°-175° when inserted into thighs, 50-60 minutes., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over high heat, bring reserved marinade to a full rolling boil for at least 1 minute. Add ketchup; cook and stir until heated through. Remove from heat., To serve Jamaican-style, remove meat from bones and chop with a cleaver. Toss chicken with sauce., Freeze option: Arrange grilled chicken pieces in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; add sauce. Cool; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Reheat chicken, covered, until a thermometer reads 165°, for 40-50 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 346 calories, Fat 18g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 109mg cholesterol, Sodium 419mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 36g protein.

JERK CHICKEN



Jerk Chicken image

We've come up with a home-cook-friendly recipe for intensely spicy, crisp-skinned jerk chicken that's steeped in authentic flavor. Scotch bonnets are traditional, but you can use habaneros, which are similar and easier to find.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 fresh Scotch bonnet, or habanero chiles, seeded and finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped
8 scallions, coarsely chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed with the flat side of a large knife
3 tablespoons (about 1 bunch) fresh thyme, finely chopped
1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground allspice
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (2 to 3 limes), plus lime wedges for serving
1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus more for brushing grill
Freshly ground pepper
2 whole chickens (about 5 pounds each), cut into 8 pieces each, or 16 drumsticks and thighs, rinsed well and patted dry

Steps:

  • Make jerk marinade: Process chiles, onion, scallions, garlic, and thyme in a food processor until mixture forms a coarse paste. Add brown sugar, allspice, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, and oil; season with pepper. Process until smooth. Marinade can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 day before proceeding.
  • Transfer 1/3 of the marinade (about 1 cup) to a small bowl; set aside to use for brushing chicken. Transfer remaining marinade to a large bowl. Add chicken; toss to coat, rubbing marinade under the skin and all over chicken. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Allow the chicken to come to room temperature before grilling.
  • Heat a grill to low (if using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grate for 7 seconds). Brush grate lightly with oil. Place chicken on grill, skin sides down. Discard used marinade. Grill chicken, brushing occasionally with reserved cup of fresh marinade, until the skin sides are well browned but not charred, about 25 minutes. Turn chicken, and continue to cook, basting it occasionally, until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Cut chicken breast halves into 2 or 3 pieces, if desired. Serve with lime wedges.

JAMAICAN JERK CHICKEN



Jamaican Jerk Chicken image

Hot, succulent Jamaican Jerk Chicken is a tropical treat. You'll love the heat and flavor of this fiery marinade.

Provided by Yardie

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 3h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into chunks
4 limes, juiced
1 cup water
2 teaspoons ground allspice
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
1 ½ cups chopped green onions
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 habanero peppers, chopped

Steps:

  • Place chicken in a medium bowl. Cover with lime juice and water. Set aside.
  • In a blender or food processor, place allspice, nutmeg, salt, brown sugar, thyme, ginger, black pepper and vegetable oil. Blend well, then mix in onions, green onions, garlic and habanero peppers until almost smooth.
  • Pour most of the blended marinade mixture into bowl with chicken, reserving a small amount to use as a basting sauce while cooking. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat.
  • Brush grill grate with oil. Cook chicken slowly on the preheated grill. Turn frequently, basting often with remaining marinade mixture. Cook to desired doneness.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 220.7 calories, Carbohydrate 13.3 g, Cholesterol 68.4 mg, Fat 6.4 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 28.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 473.9 mg, Sugar 3.8 g

MISS LILY'S JERK CHICKEN



Miss Lily's Jerk Chicken image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time P2DT4h45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 30

1 whole chicken, split into 2 halves
8 cups Brine, recipe follows
1/2 cup Jerk Marinade, recipe follows
Oil, for oiling grill grates
2 cups Jerk BBQ Sauce, recipe follows
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more as needed
1 tablespoon kosher salt
20 whole allspice berries
6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped from stems and stems discarded
2 bunches green onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic
2 Scotch bonnet chiles
1 knob fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup Jerk Marinade, recipe precedes
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/8 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
2 teaspoons tamarind puree
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
Juice of 1 lime

Steps:

  • Place the chicken in a large bowl or baking dish and pour the brine over it, making sure the chicken is fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.
  • Rinse the chicken well. Wearing latex or vinyl gloves (Scotch bonnet chiles can remain on the skin for 24 hours!) rub the Jerk Marinade all over the chicken. Place in a resealable plastic bag and refrigerate for 24 hours.
  • Preheat a grill for cooking over indirect medium heat. Lightly oil the grill grates, then place the chicken skin-side down over indirect heat. Grill, uncovered, turning the chicken every 5 to 6 minutes, until the juices run clear when the thighs are pricked with a fork, 40 to 50 minutes.
  • Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to distribute equally.
  • Cut the chicken into quarters, separating the leg portions from the breast portions, and serve with Jerk BBQ Sauce.
  • Stir the salt and light brown sugar into 8 cups water in a pot and bring to a simmer, stirring to ensure that the salt and sugar completely dissolve. Let cool to 38 degrees F before using.
  • Put the soy sauce, oil, salt, allspice, thyme, green onions, garlic, chiles, ginger and onion in a food processor and puree until a smooth paste is formed, adding more oil if necessary. Set aside.
  • In a nonreactive heavy-bottomed saucepan, stir together the tomato paste and 2 cups water and heat slowly, stirring, until well incorporated. Add in the Jerk Marinade, molasses, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard powder, tamarind, celery salt, cumin, pepper, liquid smoke, thyme and lime juice. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer until the sauce has thickened and reached the desired consistency. Remove from the heat and let cool.

MARINATED JERK CHICKEN



Marinated Jerk Chicken image

Jamaican marinade, or jerk sauce, is traditionally used with pork and chicken. Although ingredients vary, jerk seasoning usually includes chiles, thyme, allspice, and cinnamon.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken

Time 2h40m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 bunch scallions, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 jalapeno chile, chopped (ribs and seeds removed, for less heat)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for grates
1 tablespoon light-brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Coarse salt
8 pieces bone-in chicken (drumsticks and thighs), skinned and trimmed of excess fat

Steps:

  • Make marinade: In a blender, combine scallions, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, oil, sugar, allspice, thyme, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water; blend until smooth. Set aside 1/4 cup for brushing.
  • Place chicken in a shallow dish; season all over with salt. Pour remaining marinade over chicken; toss to coat. Cover; refrigerate, turning once or twice, at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
  • Heat grill to medium-high; oil grates. Lift chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off (discard marinade); place on grill, and cover. Cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is blackened in spots, about 10 minutes.
  • Move chicken to a cooler part of the grill; brush with reserved marinade. Grill, covered, until chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 249 g, Fat 12 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 27 g

MARTHA'S JERK CHICKEN



Martha's Jerk Chicken image

From the article -"Scotch bonnet and habanero chiles are native to the Caribbean and are extremely hot. Scotch bonnets are traditional, but you can use habaneros, which are similar and easier to find. Use fewer or more, according to your taste. Protect your hands by wearing gloves when cutting the peppers and when rubbing the chicken with marinade. Plan ahead so the chicken can marinate overnight; allowing it to come to room temperature before grilling makes for faster and more even cooking." Prep time does not included overnight marinading. Posted for ZWT 5.

Provided by alligirl

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 35m

Yield 16 pieces, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 fresh scotch bonnet peppers or 3 habanero peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped
8 scallions, coarsely chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed with the flat side of a large knife
3 tablespoons fresh thyme (about 1 bunch, finely chopped)
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground allspice
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 to 3 limes, plus lime wedges for serving)
1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus more for brushing grill
fresh ground pepper
2 whole chickens (about 5 pounds each, cut into 8 pieces each, or 16 drumsticks and thighs, rinsed well and patted dry)

Steps:

  • Make jerk marinade: Process chiles, onion, scallions, garlic, and thyme in a food processor until mixture forms a coarse paste.
  • Add brown sugar, allspice, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, and oil; season with pepper.
  • Process until smooth. Marinade can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 day before proceeding.
  • Transfer 1/3 of the marinade (about 1 cup) to a small bowl; set aside to use for brushing chicken.
  • Transfer remaining marinade to a large bowl.
  • Add chicken; toss to coat, rubbing marinade under the skin and all over chicken. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Allow the chicken to come to room temperature before grilling.
  • Heat a grill to low (if using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grate for 7 seconds).
  • Brush grate lightly with oil.
  • Place chicken on grill, skin sides down. Discard used marinade.
  • Grill chicken, brushing occasionally with reserved cup of fresh marinade, until the skin sides are well browned but not charred, about 25 minutes. Turn chicken, and continue to cook, basting it occasionally, until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Cut chicken breast halves into 2 or 3 pieces, if desired.
  • Serve with lime wedges.

LISA'S JERK CHICKEN



Lisa's Jerk Chicken image

Got this on trip to Jamaica, it's the best jerk chicken I've eaten.

Provided by lisa

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 8h55m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 cup orange juice
1 cup white vinegar
½ cup olive oil
½ cup soy sauce
1 lime, juiced
3 onions, chopped
6 Scotch bonnet chiles, chopped (wear gloves)
8 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons ground allspice
2 tablespoons salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or more to taste
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, or more to taste
1 teaspoon ground ginger, or more to taste
3 pounds bone-in chicken breast halves with skin

Steps:

  • Pour orange juice, vinegar, olive oil, soy sauce, and lime juice into a blender; add onions, Scotch bonnet chiles, garlic, sugar, thyme, allspice, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Pulse several times to mix ingredients, then blend until jerk marinade is pureed.
  • Set 1/2 cup marinade aside in a small bowl and refrigerate. Place chicken breasts into a large nonreactive bowl and pour remaining jerk sauce over chicken; stir to coat. Refrigerate chicken in marinade 8 hours to overnight.
  • Preheat grill for medium-low heat and lightly oil the grate.
  • Remove chicken from marinade, discarding used marinade. Cook chicken on the preheated grill until meat is no longer pink inside, the skin is browned, and an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a breast, not touching bone, reads at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 30 minutes. Baste chicken with reserved 1/2 cup of marinade as it cooks, turning chicken occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 433.3 calories, Carbohydrate 20.4 g, Cholesterol 95.8 mg, Fat 23 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 36.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 2734.2 mg, Sugar 9.9 g

Tips:

  • Use a good quality jerk seasoning. This is the key to getting that authentic Jamaican flavor. You can either make your own or buy a pre-made blend from the store.
  • Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but preferably overnight. This will allow the flavors to really penetrate the meat.
  • Cook the chicken over a low heat. This will help to prevent the chicken from drying out.
  • Baste the chicken frequently with the marinade or a mixture of oil and water. This will help to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
  • Serve the chicken with your favorite sides, such as rice and peas, coleslaw, or fried plantains.

Conclusion:

Jerk chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you are having a backyard barbecue or a casual weeknight dinner, jerk chicken is sure to be a hit. So next time you are looking for a new recipe to try, give jerk chicken a try. You won't be disappointed.

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