A traditional Jamaican dish — Jerk Chicken is the island’s most famous export, born in the hills of Portland where the Maroons perfected cooking meat over pimento wood. The signature heat of scotch bonnet peppers meets warm allspice, thyme and scallion in a smoky marinade that sears into the skin. True jerk is grilled low and slow over wood, but a hot oven or grill works beautifully at home.
Jerk Chicken
A traditional Jamaican dish — Jerk Chicken is the island’s most famous export, born in the hills of Portland where the Maroons perfected cooking meat over pimento wood.

Step by stepInstructions
- Combine the scotch bonnets, scallions, onion, garlic, ginger, pimento, thyme, soy sauce, oil, lime juice, brown sugar, nutmeg and salt in a blender with a splash of water, and process into a thick, fiery marinade.
- Massage the marinade all over the chicken, working it under the skin, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.
- Light a grill and let the coals burn down to medium-low, adding a few soaked pimento wood chips or chunks to the fire for smoke; if grilling is not possible, heat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grill the chicken over indirect heat, turning often, for 35 to 45 minutes until charred at the edges and cooked through; in the oven, roast on a rack for about 50 minutes, finishing under the broiler for a little char.
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes, then serve hot with festival, rice and peas, and extra pepper sauce on the side.
💡 Chef tips & storage
The longer the chicken marinates, the deeper the flavor — overnight is best. For a milder jerk, seed the scotch bonnets or use just one.

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