How to Cook Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken with a Homemade Smoky Jerk BBQ Sauce

Are you ready to taste the authentic flavors of Jamaica from the comfort of your home? Making authentic Jamaican jerk chicken from scratch, complete with a homemade smoky jerk BBQ sauce, is an exciting and rewarding culinary adventure. Follow this step-by-step guide to prepare your own delicious and authentic Jamaican jerky.

What is Jerk Seasoning?

Jerk seasoning is a traditional Jamaican marinade that is not a sauce nor a smoky one; it is a pasted mixture of spices and herbs. The key ingredients include scallions, scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, salt, vinegar, pimento, onion, garlic, nutmeg, thyme, ginger, and black pepper. For authenticity, you might consider purchasing prepared jerk seasoning from a trusted Jamaican brand like Dunn’s River.

Ingredients for the Jerk BBQ Sauce

1 large cup of jerk chicken stock 1 cup of brown sugar A few tablespoons of BBQ sauce 1 small cup of water Corn flour mixed with milk 1 teaspoon ketchup (optional) A pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)

To prepare the sauce, start by heating a skillet on medium heat. Pour in the brown sugar, jerk chicken stock, BBQ sauce, water, and a pinch of ketchup (if desired). Continuously stir the mixture until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture starts to thicken. You want to ensure that the sauce is fully cooked before setting it aside.

Ingredients for the Meat

Raw chicken pieces Thyme Pimento seeds Whole ginger Scallions Ground nutmeg Scotch bonnet peppers or bell peppers Chopped onions Chopped cloves of garlic Two teaspoons of liquid vinegar Ground Jamaican jerk seasoning Salt Lemon juice (optional)

In a blender, combine the thyme, pimento seeds, whole ginger, scallions, ground nutmeg, and chopped scotch bonnet peppers or bell peppers. Add in the chopped onions and cloves of garlic. Blend the mixture until it is smooth and well combined. Transfer the blended mixture into a large bowl and add ground Jamaican jerk seasoning. Stir well with a large spoon, ensuring that all the chicken pieces are thoroughly coated with the seasoning.

Cooking the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Begin by rinsing the chicken pieces with water to remove any impurities. Next, place the seasoned chicken pieces on top of aluminum foil or in a baking sheet, inside a wide square oven pan. Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

A Note on Authentic Jamaican Jerk

For those seeking the true taste of Jamaica, authentic Jamaican jerk is a paste made from 2/3 coarse salt, scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, scallions, allspice, and cinnamon. It is rubbed onto the meat and slow-cooked over open coals to perfection. This authentic method, I learned from the heart of Jamaica – Boston Bay, where true Jamaican jerk originates. It's a labor of love and patience, but the results are simply stunning.

With these simple steps and a dash of patience, you can taste the true flavors of Jamaica in your very own kitchen. Happy cooking!