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Grilled Jerk Hen – Rasa Malaysia


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This Grilled Jerk Hen is juicy, spicy, flavorful, and simpler than you suppose. Marinated in a single day in habanero, scallions, garlic, and heat spices, then grilled till smoky and charred. Excellent for cookouts, weeknight dinners, or anytime you’re craving one thing with a kick.

Grilled jerk chicken served with a lime wedge.Grilled Jerk Hen – Rasa Malaysia

Grilled Jamaican Jerk Hen

I visited Jamaica some time again, and whereas the seashores had been completely stunning, it was the scent of grilled Jamaican jerk hen that caught with me most. You’d discover it in every single place—on the streets, by the seashores, in little roadside stands. I made it my mission to strive as many as I may, and actually, each single one was full of daring, smoky, spicy taste that made me fall in love with the dish.

Again within the US, I may by no means discover a model that got here shut—till I attempted this grilled Jamaican jerk hen recipe from Martha Stewart. It’s daring, juicy, and hits all the precise notes. The marinade is fast to throw along with habanero, scallions, thyme, garlic, and heat spices—similar to those I remembered. As soon as it hits the grill, you get that charred, tender, flavor-loaded hen that tastes prefer it got here straight from a jerk shack in Jamaica. Should you’ve by no means made grilled jerk hen earlier than, that is the recipe to strive.

Sidenote: Ever surprise why it’s known as jerk hen? The phrase “jerk” comes from the Spanish charqui, which means dried or preserved meat—like jerky. In Jamaica, it developed right into a full-on cooking model the place meat (often hen or pork) is closely marinated in a daring mixture of spices, recent herbs, and fiery Scotch bonnet peppers. It’s then grilled low and gradual till juicy, smoky, spicy, and loaded with taste. Jerk hen isn’t only a title—it’s one of the crucial iconic and flavorful dishes to come back out of Jamaican delicacies.


Add This to Your Grilling Rotation

Juicy grilled jerk chicken leg pierced with a fork.Juicy grilled jerk chicken leg pierced with a fork.

This one’s daring, smoky, and significantly straightforward—right here’s why it belongs in your grill lineup:

  • Tastes like a Jamaican seaside shack. One chew and also you’ll see why this island basic is so beloved—spicy, savory, barely candy, and inconceivable to cease consuming.
  • Daring, smoky taste. The marinade is full of habanero, scallions, thyme, garlic, and heat spices—so each chew is spicy, herby, and stuffed with that signature jerk taste.
  • Juicy, tender meat. An excellent in a single day soak within the marinade makes the hen tremendous flavorful and retains it moist and juicy on the grill.
  • Charred and caramelized. Grilling brings out smoky depth and people crispy, golden edges that make this hen so addictive.

Substances You’ll Want

Ingredients for grilled jerk chicken.Ingredients for grilled jerk chicken.
  • Hen drumsticks – I used drumsticks, however be happy to make use of no matter cuts you want skin-on, boneless hen thighs.
  • Habanero chile – I used habanero because it’s simpler to search out, but when you will get your arms on Scotch bonnet, go for it.
  • Dried thyme
  • Floor allspice

Test the recipe card beneath for the complete ingredient record with precise quantities.

Professional Tip #1: Brown Sugar For That Signature Candy-Savory Steadiness
A little bit brown sugar helps mellow out the warmth and provides depth to the marinade. It additionally helps caramelize the skin of the hen because it grills—hiya, charred and sticky edges.

Professional Tip #2: Allspice Is Non-Negotiable
If there’s one spice you want for genuine jerk taste, it’s floor allspice. It provides that heat, earthy, nearly peppery notice that’s important in jerk seasoning. Don’t skip it.

Professional Tip #3: Soy Sauce For Umami Depth
Soy sauce won’t be conventional, however I like including it for that salty, savory spine. It ties every thing collectively and makes the marinade style extra layered.

Professional Tip #4: Lime Juice To Brighten Issues Up
The lime juice helps steadiness the warmth and spice with a little bit of acidity. Plus, it tenderizes the hen whereas it marinates so that you get that juicy, flavorful chew each time.

Further Tip: Deal with These Peppers Fastidiously
Habanero (or Scotch bonnet) peppers are not any joke—they’re spicy. I often put on gloves when dealing with them, or at the least be certain I don’t contact my face after chopping. Wash your arms effectively with cleaning soap and water afterward. And should you’re delicate to warmth, be happy to take away the seeds and membrane—that’s the place many of the fireplace lives. You’ll nonetheless get the flavour with out the complete burn.


How To Make Grilled Jerk Hen

Grilled Jamaican jerk chicken with golden, charred skin, garnished with parsley.Grilled Jamaican jerk chicken with golden, charred skin, garnished with parsley.

Give the hen drumsticks a fast rinse, then pat every thing dry with paper towels so the marinade sticks higher—then set it apart whilst you get the marinade going.

Toss all of the marinade elements right into a meals processor and mix till easy. That’s your taste bomb—spicy, herby, and able to coat each little bit of hen.

Professional Tip: Mixing every thing right into a paste makes it straightforward to coat each bit evenly. It additionally breaks down the scallions and garlic so the flavour actually soaks into the meat because it marinates in a single day.

Pop the hen into a big zip-top bag, pour within the marinade, and give every thing combine so each bit is properly coated. Seal it up and let it sit within the fridge in a single day—this offers the hen time to take in all that daring, spicy taste.

The subsequent day, get your grill good and scorching and brush just a little oil on the grates to maintain the hen from sticking. Throw the hen on and grill till it’s golden, charred in spots, and cooked by—flip it midway so each side get that smoky, caramelized end. As soon as it’s performed, take it off the grill and serve it up instantly whereas it’s nonetheless juicy and scorching.


Different Methods To Cook dinner It

No grill? No downside. You possibly can nonetheless make scrumptious jerk hen at house with these straightforward strategies:

  • Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment for straightforward cleanup. Organize the marinated hen drumsticks in a single layer, pores and skin facet up. Bake on the middle rack for 35–45 minutes, flipping as soon as midway by, till the hen is totally cooked and properly browned. For further char, broil on excessive over the past 2–3 minutes—simply control it so it doesn’t burn.
  • Air Fryer for Hen Drumsticks: Place the drumsticks in a single layer within the air fryer basket. Spoon just a little of the leftover marinade excessive (completely non-obligatory, however provides taste). Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes. Open the basket, baste the drumsticks with a little bit of oil, flip, baste the opposite facet, and air fry for one more 5 minutes. They need to be golden, juicy, and cooked by.
  • Air Fryer for Hen Thighs: Place the hen thighs skin-side up within the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spoon some marinade excessive. Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10 minutes. Flip the thighs and air fry for one more 4–5 minutes, till totally cooked and tender with crispy pores and skin.
  • Stovetop Grill Pan: Warmth a grill pan over medium-high warmth and brush with a little bit of oil. Add the marinated hen and prepare dinner for five–7 minutes per facet, relying on thickness, till the hen is cooked by and barely charred. Work in batches if wanted—don’t overcrowd the pan or it received’t sear correctly.

Regularly Requested Questions

How spicy is that this recipe?

It has kick! I exploit habanero within the marinade, which brings warmth with out overpowering the opposite flavors. You possibly can alter the spice stage by utilizing half a pepper, eradicating the seeds, or swapping it for a milder chile.

Can I exploit boneless hen breasts as an alternative?

You possibly can, however watch out to not overcook them since they dry out sooner than thighs or drumsticks. Cut back the grilling or air frying time barely and control them.

Do I’ve to marinate in a single day?

In a single day is greatest for deep taste, however should you’re quick on time, attempt to marinate for at the least 4 hours. The longer it sits, the extra flavorful the hen shall be.

Can I freeze the marinated hen?

Sure! You possibly can freeze the hen instantly within the marinade. Simply thaw it in a single day within the fridge whenever you’re able to prepare dinner, and grill as common.

How lengthy can I maintain leftovers?

Retailer leftover jerk hen in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. You possibly can reheat it within the microwave, oven, or air fryer.

What number of energy per serving?

This recipe is barely 432 energy per serving.

Caribbean-style grilled Jamaican jerk chicken with golden charred skin.Caribbean-style grilled Jamaican jerk chicken with golden charred skin.

What To Serve With This Recipe

For a straightforward and healthful weeknight dinner, I like to recommend the next recipes:

I hope you take pleasure in this submit as a lot as I do. Should you strive my recipe, please go away a remark and think about giving it a 5-star score. For easier and scrumptious recipes, discover my Recipe Index, and keep up to date by subscribing to my publication and following me on FbPinterest, and Instagram for brand new updates.


Different Grilled Hen Recipes You Would possibly Like

Freshly baked cod fillet with seasonings crust on a plate, garnished with lemon slices and herbs.Freshly baked cod fillet with seasonings crust on a plate, garnished with lemon slices and herbs.

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  • Rinse the hen drumsticks, pat dry with paper towels and put aside.

  • In a meals processor, mix all of the Marinade elements.

  • In a big sealable plastic bag, toss the hen with the paste, guaranteeing they’re effectively coated. Refrigerate in a single day.

  • On the subsequent day, fireplace up the grill and brush a little bit of oil on the floor. Grill the hen till golden brown and charred on each side. Take away from the grill and serve instantly.

Serving: 4folks, Energy: 432kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 30g, Fats: 30g, Saturated Fats: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 9g, Monounsaturated Fats: 11g, Trans Fats: 0.2g, Ldl cholesterol: 116mg, Sodium: 615mg, Potassium: 377mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 326IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 49mg, Iron: 2mg

Vitamin data is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.



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