This Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings Recipe is EVERYTHING!!! I will confess, I have not made chicken this good in a very long time.
I have no idea what drove me to make this jerk chicken, but since I recently quit veganism due to health reasons, I thought it was a great idea to restart my chicken-eating by making jerk chicken.
This recipe seems to have a lot of weird ingredients for chicken, but I promise, it is the KEY to this great tasting recipe. You might probably be thinking, “Why do I need brown sugar in chicken? Isn’t salt enough to give this chicken taste?” And yes, you may be right, but the weird ingredients are actually the secret to this recipe.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Marinade
This Jamaican jerk chicken wings marinade has the right combination of sweet, sour, salty, sugary, garlicky, gingery and spicy. And its flavors combined together gives this recipe a delicious tasting chicken.
I made these chicken wings a week ago and shared it with a friend of mine. She was so in love with it that she literally texted me a week later asking for the recipe.
Her craving for it literally pushed me to edit and write this post, because I honestly don’t want to be stingy with this recipe. I want you to enjoy this goodness just as much as my friend and I did.
Related Post: Fried Chicken Wings
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings: Choosing The Chicken
I find that the best chicken to use for this Jamaican jerk chicken recipe is chicken wings. Sadly, wings are often sold out in many meat stores, but that doesn’t mean any other kind wouldn’t work.
Therefore, if you do choose to use any other kind of chicken that isn’t wings, then I suggest you slice open the chicken while marinating it so that the flavours seep into the chicken.
Regardless, I still suggest using wings. It honestly takes Jerk Chicken to a whole new level and makes this recipe come together nicely.
Is Jamaican Jerk Chicken spicy?
Traditional Jamaican jerk seasoning is spicy due to the Scotch bonnet peppers. However, you can adjust the heat level according to your preference by using fewer peppers or using a milder type of pepper.
What’s the difference between using a dry rub and a wet marinade?
A dry rub consists of just spices and herbs while a wet marinade includes liquids like soy sauce, vinegar, or oil. Both methods infuse the chicken with flavor but a wet marinade may make the chicken more juicy and tender.
Can I grill the chicken wings instead of baking them?
Absolutely, grilling is a traditional method for cooking jerk chicken and offers a smokier, more authentic flavor compared to baking.
To grill your jerk chicken wings, first make sure your grill is preheated to medium-high heat. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and achieves a nice char. It’s also a good idea to oil the grill grates slightly to prevent sticking. Place the marinated chicken wings on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until they’re fully cooked through and have crispy, charred edges. You might also want to consider using wood chips for an even smokier flavor.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours. If possible, marinating overnight will infuse the meat with more flavor.
Can I use boneless chicken instead of wings?
Yes, you can. However, cooking times may vary, and the absence of bones might slightly affect the flavor and juiciness of the meat.
Let me know in the comments if you give this recipe a try.
By the way, if you are interested in a similar recipe that is more of a dry rub and quicker to prepare, then consider making this air fryer chicken wings. I promise you will love it!
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 chicken wings
- 1 cup green onions - chopped
- 1 cup onions - red onion, chopped
- 4 tbsps brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 inch ginger root - skin removed
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2-3 habanero pepper - Use more or less, depending on your spice preference.
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, combine all the ingredients listed above except for the chicken wings. Blend the mixture until smooth.
- Place the chicken wings in a large bowl. Pour the blended marinade over the chicken wings, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours to allow the chicken to marinate.
- Preheat your oven to 400 °F.
- Arrange the marinated chicken wings on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the chicken wings are fully cooked and have a crispy exterior.
- Once the chicken wings are cooked to your satisfaction, serve them hot and enjoy!
4 Responses
Made these numerous times! So good!
Glad you liked it!
How long and what temp do I make thighs?
same time and temperature.