The fusion of Jamaican island flavors here is most definitely set to impress. It’s a meal you’ll crave and want to make again and again!
Boneless Jerk Chicken with a Refreshing Salsa
What better way to get in the summer mood than to grill up a fresh tropical meal? Of course this chicken is good on its own when you don’t have time to make the salsa or rice and you can just serve it with sauteed or steamed veggies. But everything is better when there’s avocado involved, right?
Adjust the Heat Level as Desired
As far as heat goes, I have to make this recipe to be edible to my kids so I just use a jalapeño pepper (and I actually do leave the seeds and it’s not too spicy for them, the salsa tones down the spice of the jalapeno). But if you like really spicy foods you can go with the more traditional scotch bonnet pepper or a habanero pepper for lots of heat.
Marinade Ingredients
This is a simple marinade that packs bold flavors. It combines:
fresh onions, garlic and ginger (fresh flavor) herbs and sweet spices (flavor) soy sauce (saltiness and depth) peppers (heat) brown sugar (sweetness) lime (tang)
How to Make Grilled Jerk Chicken
For chicken breasts, pound them out to even thickness. Leave thighs as is. Place chicken breasts in a gallon size resealable bag. Add remaining marinade ingredients to a food processor and chop. Pour marinade over chicken and refrigerate 4 – 8 hours. Preheat a grill over medium-high heat. Oil grill grates. Grill to 165 degrees in center, about 4 – 5 minutes per side. Serve warm over Coconut Rice and topped with Mango Avocado Salsa.
Tips for This Recipe
Make it spicer with various peppers as desired. Here’s a pepper scale to refer too. Be sure to use gloves when handling the peppers as they have oils in them (called capsaicinin) that can damage and really sting your eyes if you touch them – even after you’ve washed your hands. Let marinate at least 4 hours. This really allows time for those flavors to soak into the chicken. Use chicken breasts or thighs in this recipe. Don’t omit ingredients in the marinade for best flavor. Everything together builds layers of flavor in this dish.
The Perfect Summer Meal
Isn’t summer just dreamy? Warm sunshine, beach days, picnics at the park, scenic hikes, and food like this! And have I said yet that I love mango season? Because I really love when good fresh mangos are in season! And I want to eat them on everything which I why they’re even going in my dinner a lot lately. They were made for this jerk chicken!
More Grilled Chicken Recipes to Try
Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowls Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Grilled Moroccan Chicken Grilled Chicken with Chimichurri Sauce
