Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe : Instant Pot, Oven or Skillet - Spice Cravings (2024)

• ▢ 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs

Marinade for Chicken(mix everything together in a bowl)

• ▢ 1 tablespoon light olive oil
• ▢ 3 tablespoons orange juice
• ▢ 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon brown sugar (packed)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• ▢ 2-3 tablespoons thinly sliced spring onions
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic finely chopped, or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ inch ginger grated or crushed
• ▢ 2 tablespoon Caribbean Jerk Seasoning

Homemade Jerk Seasoning Blend (makes 2 Tbsp)

• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ▢ 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper : adjust to taste
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ▢ ½ teaspoon allspice
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

• Marinate chicken: In a small mixing bowl, combine all marinade ingredients. In a gallon size ziplock bag, pour in the marinade. Add chicken, remove the air by pressing on the bag gently and reseal it. Turn the bag a few times over to coat the chicken with the marinade. If you have time, refrigerate the marinated chicken for 30 mins-12 hours.

  

Instant Pot Method

• Turn instant pot ON. Pour in the chicken along with marinade. Close lid. Set vent to "sealing". Cook on Manual/Pressure Cook for 6-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. For chicken thighs, set a cook time for 6 minutes. Wait for 10 minutes, before releasing the pressure naturally (NPR 10). Remove chicken and rest. Turn on SAUTE and simmer sauce for 3-5 minutes to thicken it. As an optional step, heat a grill-pan on medium-high heat. Place chicken down on it's 'presentation side', for 30 seconds to a minute, to get the gorgeous grill marks.

  

Oven Method

• Turn on the broiler. Place drained chicken breasts on a lined baking sheet and reserve the marinade. Place baking sheet under the broiler such that the chicken is about 4 inches away from the broiler. Cook chicken 7-8 minutes per side, flipping half way through. Chicken is done when internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees F. In a small sauce pan, bring the reserved marinade to a boil. Simmer for 4-5 minutes till the sauce thickens.

Skillet Method

• Heat a wide, heavy bottom skillet on medium-high heat. Add drained chicken breast and reserve the marinade. Cook chicken roughly 6-8 minutes per side, flipping it half way through. Cook till internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees F. Remove chicken and rest. Pour in the reserved marinade, bring it to a boil and cook it for 4-5 minutes on medium heat, till the sauce thickens.

Outdoor Grill Method

• Place the drained chicken on a medium-high heat zone of your outdoor grill and reserve the marinade. Cook chicken roughly 6-8 minutes per side, flipping it half way through. Cook till internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees F. Remove chicken and rest. In a small sauce pan, bring the reserved marinade to a boil. Simmer for 4-5 minutes till the sauce thickens.

Serving Suggestions

• Jamaican Jerk Chicken (breast or thighs), can be served whole, or sliced. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve with your choice of rice, potato or veggie sides.