Juicy Oven Baked Jerk Chicken is filled with bold Caribbean flavor! Easy marinade, crispy skin, and perfectly tender chicken thighs every time.
Inspired by classic Caribbean jerk flavors, this dish brings together smoky, sweet and spicy notes in every forkful.
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Oven Jerked Chicken
There’s something irresistible about a recipe that delivers vibrant flavor with minimal fuss, and this jerked chicken does exactly that.
The beauty of baking jerk chicken in the oven is that while it cooks you are free to get the rest of your dinner ready or just relax and sip on a glass of wine!
Perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or when you’re craving something a little more exciting than your usual chicken dinner.
The marinade comes together quickly with pantry staples and adds layers of flavor to the chicken.
As the chicken bakes, your kitchen fills with the most mouthwatering “Swirls of Flavor” and you’ll know that something delicious is on the menu tonight!
The skin crisps up beautifully while the meat stays juicy and tender.
Whether you serve it with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
This chicken would be especially delicious served with pineapple salsa!
Get ready to bring a taste of the islands right into your kitchen, no passport required!
Be sure to visit the Swirls of Flavor Amazon Storefront for GG's personal kitchen recommendations!
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How to make jamaican jerk chicken
This is a quick overview of how to make this oven jerked chicken recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
- Step 1: Combine onion, brown sugar and seasonings in a blender and process until combined.
- Step 2: Coat the chicken pieces with the jerk paste and marinate for at least 4 hours to overnight. Cook as directed in the recipe below.
Hint: For best flavor, spread some of the marinade under the skin of the chicken too and marinate for at least 4 hours to overnight. Marinating overnight will give you the best flavor.
Expert recipe tips
- Marinate chicken for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor
- Arrange chicken in a single layer for even cooking
- Use a rack over a baking sheet to allow air circulation
- You can also slice or shred this flavorful chicken for easy meal prep for wraps, bowls and salads
- For a lightly charred finish, you can broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes at the end of the cooking time. Just be sure to keep an eye on the chicken when it is under the broiler.
- Let chicken rest before serving to redistribute juices
Substitutions
- Brown Sugar – You can use either dark brown sugar or light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar will give you a slightly more intense flavor.
- Sweet Onion – Red onion or green onions can replace sweet onion
- Lime Juice – Lemon juice can be subbed for lime juice.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - White vinegar or re vinegar can replace apple cider vinegar
- Chicken Thighs – This recipe can also be made with bone-in chicken breasts or chicken legs instead of chicken thighs
Variations
- Less heat and spice – For less heat, you can use mild jerk seasoning or make your own homemade seasoning and control the heat and spice levels.
- Extra heat and spice - Add cayenne or red pepper flakes if you prefer extra spice
- Sweet tropical flavor - Add pineapple juice for a sweet tropical twist
- Smoky notes – Add some smoked paprika for added depth and smoky flavor
Storage
- Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container or ziplock food storage bag in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Reheat - Reheat in a 350°F oven or in the air fryer or microwave
- Freeze – You can freeze cooked chicken in a freezer safe container or food storage bag for up to 2 months Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating
- See more guidelines at USDA.gov
Ingredients
Ingredients for easy oven-baked jerk chicken
- Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Thighs – Chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful during baking and the skin crisps up nicely while locking in moisture
- Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds sweetness to balance the spice and also helps to create a caramelized glaze
- Sweet Onion – Sweet onion adds a natural sweetness and depth while also enhancing the savory notes of the marinade
- Garlic – Garlic adds a savory depth of flavor to the marinade
- Soy Sauce – Soy sauce deepens the overall flavor and adds a umami flavor
- Jerk Seasoning – Jer seasoning is the signature blend of spices that adds a bold, smoky, spicy flavor
- Limes – Lime juice lends a bright citrus note and acidity to the marinade and slices of lime are a fresh citrus garnish
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Vinegar adds tanginess while also helping to tenderize the chicken
- Olive Oil – Olive oil helps the marinade coat evenly and promotes crisping during baking
- Kosher Salt – Kosher salt makes all the flavors pop
- Scallions – Scallions add a pop of color and slight onion flavor as a garnish
Weeknight Dinners
What to serve with jerked chicken
Oven Baked Jerk Chicken Recipe
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Ingredients
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs about 2 ½ pounds
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup chopped sweet onion
- 3 cloves garlic , chopped
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon jerk seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
GARNISHES
- lime slices
- sliced scallions
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Instructions
- In a blender, combine the brown sugar, onion, garlic, soy sauce, jerk seasoning, lime juice, vinegar, olive oil and kosher salt and process until smooth and blended.
- Pat the chicken dry and place it in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Coat the chicken thoroughly with the marinade, working it under the skin where possible, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy clean up..
- Arrange the chicken pieces skin-side up, allowing excess marinade to drip off while keeping a good coating.
- Roast for 45 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the skin is browned and slightly crisp.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve with lime slices and garnish with sliced scallions.
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