How to Make the Ultimate Jerk Chicken Recipe!

scotch bonnet peppers

💰Cheaper: jalapeño peppers

Jalapeños provide heat but are milder and easier to find.

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: tamari

Tamari is gluten-free and has a similar flavor.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

Olive oil offers healthier fats.

Wash chicken legs in a bowl of clean water with half a lime, squeezing the lime and rubbing it over the chicken to clean it.

Score deep into the skin of the chicken legs after washing them.

In a food processor, add garlic, scotch bonnet peppers (stalk removed), peeled ginger, half an onion (quartered), chopped spring onion, thyme, brown sugar, half a grated nutmeg, allspice, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper, and salt.

Add a splash of sunflower oil to the food processor and juice the limes, adding the juice to the mixture.

Blend the marinade until smooth and fragrant.

Place the chicken legs in a bowl and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are well coated.

Marinate the chicken for about 6 hours.

Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius.

Transfer the marinated chicken legs to a wire rack placed on a non-stick tray, spreading any remaining marinade over the chicken.

Bake the chicken in the oven for caramelization, about 30-40 minutes, until blistered and caramelized.

While the chicken is baking, prepare the slaw by slicing a Granny Smith apple into thin slices, then adding to a bowl.

Use a mandolin to slice fennel into thin strips and add to the bowl with the apple.

Slice spring onion diagonally into thin diamonds and add to the slaw mixture.

Take a third of a white cabbage, remove the root, and slice it thinly using the mandolin, adding it to the slaw.

Slice red onion thinly and add it to the slaw mixture.

Chop a full bunch of coriander and add it to the slaw.

Season the slaw with mayonnaise, a squeeze of lime, apple vinegar, salt, and pepper, mixing well.

Let the slaw sit to allow the acidity and salt to soften the vegetables while the chicken rests for 10-15 minutes after baking.

Serve the slaw in a bowl, placing two chicken legs beside it.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary