Description
Easy Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe offers a simple and delicious way to enjoy Caribbean-style roast chicken with tender, flavorful legs coated in a spicy, aromatic jerk seasoning.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 10 chicken legs
Jerk Seasoning
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and position the oven rack on the lower middle level to prepare for roasting the chicken legs.
- Make the jerk rub: In a bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients except the chicken to create a flavorful spice rub and paste mixture. Set this aside for use later.
- Prepare the chicken legs: Pat the chicken legs dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Use a fork to poke holes all around each chicken leg to help the marinade penetrate better.
- Apply the rub: Evenly spread the jerk seasoning mixture underneath the skin of each chicken leg by carefully loosening the skin and pressing the rub deep inside with clean hands. Also, coat the top surface of the skin with some of the rub.
- Arrange for baking: Place the seasoned chicken legs on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with foil, making sure to space them out evenly so they cook properly.
- Bake the chicken: Bake the chicken legs in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes if they are larger size (or about 40 minutes for smaller legs) until they are nicely browned and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately, spooning some of the delicious drippings from the pan over the chicken for extra flavor.
Notes
- Make sure to dry the chicken legs well to help the rub adhere better and get a crispier skin.
- The poke holes with a fork step helps the spices penetrate deeper into the chicken for more flavor.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control spiciness according to your preference.
- Use a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil for easier cleanup and to catch drippings for basting.
- For even cooking, ensure chicken legs aren’t touching each other on the baking sheet.
- Serve with traditional sides like rice and peas or steamed vegetables for a complete Jamaican-themed meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken leg
- Calories: 232 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 654 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.02 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 117 mg
