In brief
- Jerk chicken: chicken marinated in spicy seasonings, slowly grilled over a wood fire
- Origin: Jamaica, Caribbean
- Essential ingredients: chicken, scotch bonnet pepper, allspice, thyme, garlic, ginger
- A dish linked to Jamaican Independence Day on 6 August, served at family barbecues
Origins and cultural history of jerk chicken
Jerk chicken owes its technique to the Taínos, the first inhabitants of Jamaica, who already smoked meat over pimento wood, the tree that produces allspice. The Maroons, enslaved people who had fled to the mountainous interior of the island, adopted and transformed this technique: the heavily spiced meat was cooked underground to hide the smoke from the colonists tracking them.
On 6 August 1962, Jamaica gained independence after more than three centuries under British rule. This date is still celebrated every year, in Jamaica and across its diaspora, with jerk chicken barbecues, which has become one of the dishes most closely associated with the country's celebrations.
What are the essential ingredients of jerk chicken
Making a good jerk chicken relies on a limited number of ingredients, but each one plays a precise role in balancing the heat, sweetness and warm spices of the marinade.
- chicken pieces with the skin on
- scotch bonnet pepper
- ground allspice
- thyme
- garlic and ginger
- soy sauce and brown cane sugar
- lime juice and zest
What to know about the jerk chicken
The jerk chicken is a Jamaican chicken marinated in a mix of hot spices built on scotch bonnet pepper, allspice, thyme, garlic, ginger and lime, then slowly grilled over a wood fire. Its technique comes from the Taíno, who already cooked smoked meat over pimento wood. It is tied to the Jamaican Independence Day on August 6, celebrated around family barbecues.
Frequently asked questions about jerk chicken
Is jerk chicken always very spicy?
Yes, scotch bonnet pepper is the basis of the traditional marinade and gives jerk chicken a pronounced heat. For a milder version, you can reduce the amount of pepper, remove the seeds and white membranes, or replace it with a milder pepper.
Can jerk chicken be cooked without pimento wood?
Yes: on a barbecue, a few fruitwood chips soaked in water give a smokiness close to the original. In the oven, allow about 35 minutes at 200 °C, then a few minutes under the grill to brown the skin.
Where can I find the ingredients for jerk chicken in France?
NKOSI sells the cane sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and lime juice used in this recipe and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
