Jerk chicken is a popular and well-known Jamaican dish and nowadays has gained popularity worldwide across the Caribbean. This spicy grilled-meat is made by marinating chicken in a blend of multiple spices called jerk seasoning, which includes allspice, thyme, garlic, ginger, and scotch bonnet pepper. The name “Jerk” comes from the Spanish word “charqui,” which means dried meat or jerky. The origin of the technique for preparing jerk chicken was developed by the Taino people about 2,500 years ago. They would marinate the meat in a mixture of spices and then smoke it over a fire made with pimento wood.  Later on, African slaves who were brought to Jamaica were taught the technique and overtime created jerk chicken. Jerk chicken is traditionally served with rice and peas, which are kidney beans cooked with coconut milk, and plantains. This dish has become an important part of Jamaican cuisine and culture, and is often associated with the island’s music, in particular reggae. Overall, jerk chicken is a dish that has a rich history and cultural significance. It represents the blending of different cultures and many traditions in Jamaica, and has become a beloved food not just on the island, but around the world.

Sources:

“jerk chicken.” Britannica Academic, 2011, academic-eb-swb.orc.scoolaid.net/ levels/collegiate/article/jerk-chicken/605542. Accessed 16 Feb. 2023.

Gray, Vaughn Stafford. “A Brief History of Jamaican Jerk.” Smithsonian Magazine,

Dillon Ripley, Dec. 2022, www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/

     brief-history-jamaican-jerk-180976597/.

Jerk chicken Recipe 

To make jerk chicken, mix together the following ingredients:

• 3-4 pounds of chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 1/2 cup of jerk seasoning
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Rub the jerk seasoning all over the chicken, making sure to coat it evenly. Place the chicken in a zip-top bag and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you can.

Prepare a grill with pimento wood or charcoal, and heat it to medium-high. Remove the chicken from the marinade and brush with vegetable oil. Place the chicken on the grill, skin side down, and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy. Serve with rice and peas, plantains, and your favorite Jamaican hot sauce.