Marthas Jerk Chicken Recipes

MARTHA'S JERK CHICKEN

Steps:

• Make jerk marinade: Process chiles, onion, scallions, garlic, and thyme in a food processor until mixture forms a coarse paste.
• Add brown sugar, allspice, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, and oil; season with pepper.
• Process until smooth. Marinade can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 day before proceeding.
• Transfer 1/3 of the marinade (about 1 cup) to a small bowl; set aside to use for brushing chicken.
• Transfer remaining marinade to a large bowl.
• Add chicken; toss to coat, rubbing marinade under the skin and all over chicken. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Allow the chicken to come to room temperature before grilling.
• Heat a grill to low (if using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grate for 7 seconds).
• Brush grate lightly with oil.
• Place chicken on grill, skin sides down. Discard used marinade.
• Grill chicken, brushing occasionally with reserved cup of fresh marinade, until the skin sides are well browned but not charred, about 25 minutes. Turn chicken, and continue to cook, basting it occasionally, until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Cut chicken breast halves into 2 or 3 pieces, if desired.
• Serve with lime wedges.

MARINATED JERK CHICKEN

Steps:

• Make marinade: In a blender, combine scallions, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, oil, sugar, allspice, thyme, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water; blend until smooth. Set aside 1/4 cup for brushing.
• Place chicken in a shallow dish; season all over with salt. Pour remaining marinade over chicken; toss to coat. Cover; refrigerate, turning once or twice, at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
• Heat grill to medium-high; oil grates. Lift chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off (discard marinade); place on grill, and cover. Cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is blackened in spots, about 10 minutes.
• Move chicken to a cooler part of the grill; brush with reserved marinade. Grill, covered, until chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes more. Serve immediately.

BACKYARD JERK CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a food processor, puree chile, scallions, garlic, thyme, brown sugar, allspice, soy sauce, lime juice, and oil. In a large zip-top bag, toss chicken with paste. Refrigerate at least 1 hour (or up to 1 day).
• Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-low. Clean and lightly oil hot grill. Season chicken with salt and pepper; grill, covered, turning often to prevent charring, until cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.

JERK CHICKEN BREASTS, FRIED PLANTAINS, AND BIBB SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400. Arrange chicken on two rimmed baking sheets. Rub with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle 4 breasts with jerk seasoning; roast all until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of breast (avoiding bone) registers 165, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 4 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-low. Add half the plantains, and cook until browned, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate, and season with salt. Repeat with remaining plantains. Set aside.
• Make salad: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, orange juice, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine lettuce and orange segments. Drizzle with dressing, and toss to combine. Serve chicken with salad and plantains.

PINEAPPLE-STUFFED JERK CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine thyme, allspice, cayenne, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; set spice mixture aside. In a medium bowl, stir together pineapple, lime juice, scallions, and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Season stuffing with salt and pepper, and set aside.
• Lay chicken flat on a work surface. With a paring knife, cut a 2-inch-long slit in the thick side of each breast; insert knife, and pivot inside chicken without enlarging opening, carefully forming a deep pocket (make sure not to pierce the opposite side). Dividing evenly, tightly pack each breast with stuffing; rub exterior with oil, and sprinkle with spice mixture.
• Heat broiler, with rack set 4 inches from heat. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil; arrange chicken on sheet. Broil until chicken is opaque throughout and an instant-read thermometer inserted into stuffing reads 165 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve stuffed chicken with rice.

JERK CHICKEN WITH CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together jerk seasoning, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, and olive oil. Add boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and turn to coat. Cover, and let marinate in the refrigerator 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Remove chicken from marinade, and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Spoon marinade over chicken, and bake until chickenis just cooked through, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss onion and cucumber with 3 tablespoons cider vinegar and sugar. To serve, slice chicken breasts as desired; spoon cucumber relish over the top.