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No-Fuss Jerk Chicken

5.0(810)

Jerk chicken — spicy and grilled — is a dish for which Jamaica is justly famous, though it is made across the Caribbean basin and has been for more than 400 years. The pungent marinade includes lots of allspice (called pimento in the islands), black pepper and clove, but gets an even bigger kick from ultra-spicy yellow Scotch bonnet peppers, similar in shape and intensity to habanero chiles. You can certainly grill it in the island manner. But this easy recipe puts the chicken in the oven instead, which fills the kitchen with intoxicating flavors. Vacation on a plate.

by David Tanis

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CaribbeanDinner, Weeknight, Main Course

Servings

6 servings

Total time

1h 15m

Calories / serving

464 kcal

Ingredients (13)

serves

2 tablespoons allspice berriesallspice
1 tablespoon thyme leavesthyme
4 garlic clovesgarlic
2 Scotch bonnet or habanero chiles, halved, stems removed
6 scallions, roughly choppedscallion
1 tablespoon black peppercornspeppercorn
1 1/2 teaspoons saltsalt
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmegnutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamoncinnamon
1 2-inch piece ginger, thickly slicedginger
2 tablespoons soy sauce, optionalsoy-sauce
Juice of 2 large limes (about 4 tablespoons)
6 large chicken legs, leg and thigh attachedchicken-leg

Instructions (3 steps)

01Put allspice, thyme, garlic, chiles, scallions, peppercorns, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, soy sauce and lime juice in a blender or food processor and grind to a rough paste.
02Put chicken in a baking dish, add seasoning paste and coat chicken well, using a spoon. Cover and marinate, refrigerated, for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

03Heat oven to 350 degrees and bring chicken to room temperature. Turn chicken once more in marinade to coat well, then put baking dish in the oven, uncovered. Bake for 1 hour or until well browned and juices run clear when probed with a paring knife. Put dish under the broiler for a minute or so to char chicken slightly. Remove and serve with coconut rice, if desired.

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Rich recipe — supports nutrition-aware planning.