Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple Salsa
Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple Salsa is a vibrant, flavorful dish that perfectly balances spicy, smoky jerk-seasoned chicken with a sweet and tangy pineapple salsa. Ideal for summer grilling or any occasion, this recipe is easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress with its bold and balanced tropical flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (includes marinating time)
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Caribbean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4–6 chicken thighs or breasts (bone-in or boneless)
- 2 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive oil)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Jerk Seasoning
- 1 tbsp ground allspice
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 2–3 Scotch bonnet peppers (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
Pineapple Salsa
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped (optional for added heat)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Jerk Marinade: Combine ground allspice, thyme, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, and Scotch bonnet peppers into a paste using oil, lime juice, and soy sauce to form a flavorful jerk marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Coat the chicken thoroughly with the jerk marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to deepen.
- Make the Pineapple Salsa: While the chicken marinates, dice fresh pineapple and finely chop red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño if using. Toss all ingredients together with lime juice and a pinch of salt for a bright, sweet and tangy salsa.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Cook chicken 6-8 minutes per side until edges are charred and the meat is cooked through, sealing in the smoky jerky flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate the jerk chicken and top generously with pineapple salsa. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges if desired for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Marinate Overnight: Enhances depth and intensity of flavor.
- Use Fresh Spices: Fresh ground allspice and thyme give the best flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Char: Achieving grill marks adds great taste and texture.
- Adjust Heat Gradually: Taste and modify heat according to preference.
- Rest the Chicken: Let cooked chicken rest for juiciness before slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Caribbean, Jerk Chicken, Pineapple Salsa, Grilled Chicken, Tropical, Spicy, Gluten Free, Summer Recipe
