When you hear the phrase “Jerk Chicken,” you immediately think of Jamaica, regardless of who you are or where you are from. It is one of the spiciest foods in Jamaica. But some people can’t handle its
Add a natural yogurt or canned coconut milk to the jerk chicken to make it less spicy. Mix it with the seasoning to make a marinade. You can also use a less spicy jerk chicken sauce and then add a bit of hot Jamaican scotch bonnet pepper sauce to bring it up to the desired heat level.
Jerk is typically a wet marinade or a dry rub made with a hot
Recipe For Making a Less Spicy Jerk Chicken
This jerk chicken is ideal if you’re seeking a meal that doesn’t take much effort on the day of preparation. It marinates overnight, so make the marinade the day before you plan to cook it. You may create the marinade up to a week ahead of time and refrigerate it.
We don’t advocate cooking the chicken ahead of time because the crispiness and juiciness will be compromised. Instead, if there are any leftovers, keep them refrigerated for up to five days and consume them cold. Alternatively, use the meat from leftover jerk chicken in salads.
The following jerk chicken isn’t scorching hot, but it’s still quite spicy and tasty in a chicken salad the next day. Serve with black beans, rice, and a large glass of cold beer (to spread out the heat).
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, trimmed
- 2 tbsp onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 jalapeno pepper, stem removed and chopped into large bits (keep most of the seeds and ribs in)
- a quarter cup of light brown sugar
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp allspice powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (mild)
- a quarter teaspoon of ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons of canola oil
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Jerk Marinade
In a large mixing bowl, place the trimmed chicken breasts. In a tiny food processor or blender, combine the other ingredients and pulse until they form a uniform solution. Pour the marinade over the chicken breasts and turn them over to ensure that each piece is coated.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Coat the chicken with lime juice. Toss the chicken pieces in the jerk paste and coat thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, the chicken and all of the marinades in a zip lock bag.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Preheat a grill or a panini press when you’re ready to cook. Shake off any extra marinade from the chicken before removing it from the bag. For grilling, depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts, grill for 5 minutes per side.
For the oven method, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken halves, skin side up, in a rimmed baking pan. Cook until the chicken halves are thoroughly cooked, about 40-50 minutes. Serve hot, cold, or at room temperature.
Is Jerk Chicken Unhealthy?
Jerk chicken is one of the healthier options if consumed as part of a well-balanced diet rich in fibrous and complex carbohydrates. In addition, chicken is lean meat that is one of the healthiest choices, especially if you choose chicken breast.
Chicken is a great option if you’re trying to lose weight or change your shape by cutting back on carbs. Because jerk chicken pairs so well with a simple salad, you don’t need to order much else on the side.
Moreover, Cinnamon is used in the recipe to alleviate arthritis pain. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces inflammation in your body. The jalapeno can kill cancer cells. It increases your body’s metabolism. It contains ginger, which has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels.
Consuming burnt jerk chicken can be hazardous to one’s health. Make sure the jerk chicken is thoroughly cooked. This means that the meat inside the chicken has been thoroughly cooked and that the exterior with the jerk sauce has not been burned with charcoal.
How Did Jerk Chicken Become So Popular?
Jamaican “Jerk” is tender, juicy chunks of smokey, spicy goodness instead of American BBQ. It only takes one try to become a believer, especially when accompanied by a very cold Red Stripe beer.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken, like many other ethnic foods from around the world, first gained a foothold in the global food culture when Jamaicans began migrating to places like the United States, Canada, and England.
They brought the indigenous flavors of the island with them and opened restaurants and “cookshops” in their new home towns and cities to replicate the feel of home while earning a living.
Additionally, visitors to the island who venture out into the small towns and cities to experience authentic Jamaican daily life sample Jerk offerings from street vendors and small restaurants, exposing them to the cuisine in its purest form. These visitors then take their experiences back home and spread the word through conversations and, more recently, the internet.
Jerk remains the most popular Jamaican cuisine and has gained international acclaim as it spread with the Jamaican diaspora.
FAQs
How Many Calories Are There In A Serving Of Jerk Chicken?
1 piece of Jerk Chicken contains 280 calories. Calorie breakdown: 55% fat, 5% carbohydrates, and 40% protein.
What Is Traditionally Served With Jerk Chicken?
Bread or a crispy fried dough dumpling known as ‘festival’ are popular jerk chicken side dishes in Jamaica. Jerk chicken is also delicious with rice, salad, potatoes, and steamed vegetables.
How Long Does Jerk Chicken Keep In The Refrigerator?
Cooked jerk chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Jerk chicken that has been cooked can be frozen and kept fresh for up to 3 months. Jerk chicken can also be marinated in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or until it expires.
Is Jerk Chicken High in Sodium?
A typical meal of Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas contained 7.6g of salt, the equivalent of 19 packets of ready salted crisps.
Conclusion
Jerk chicken is a barbecue classic that guarantees a spicy and flavorful meal. Scotch bonnet and habanero peppers are quite hot. Be really cautious, and do not contact your eyes or any other sensitive area after handling them spicy. Use dairy products like yogurt or coconut milk to make it less spicy. Hopefully, with the help of our article, you now have in-depth knowledge of how to make Jerk Chicken less spicy.
