This Jerk Chicken Recipe is a fiery Jamaican dish that we made in the slow cooker with a mixture of herbs and spices. Perfect for an easy family dinner!
Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-make jerk chicken recipe? Look no further! This incredible dish can be made in your slow cooker, so it’s perfect for busy families.
Plus, the bold flavors will leave everyone asking for more. Give this recipe a try today!
Been wanting to add some spice to your life? This jerk chicken recipe is just the thing. Slow-cooked to perfection with a delicious Caribbean flavor, it’s sure to be a hit at your next potluck or family gathering.
So bust out that slow cooker and get ready for some serious throwback vibes.
We love this recipe because it is simple and easy to make with only a handful of ingredients. I can pair it with just about anything and it is so incredibly flavorful and delicious!
I know you’ll love it as much as we do!
Here are some commonly asked questions
How to store leftover jerk chicken
Place the chicken in a shallow, airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave on a microwave-safe dish until hot. Keep in mind that this will make the skin a bit less crispy than it was when the chicken was fresh.
What is Jerk Chicken?
Jerk chicken is a popular Jamaican dish that is made by marinating chicken in a special blend of spices, then grilling or baking it. The chicken is usually served with rice and beans, and sometimes vegetables.
Jerk chicken gets its name from the way it is cooked – it is traditionally cooked over an open fire, and the chicken is “jerked” or grilled, over hot coals. This gives the chicken a smoky flavor and a slightly charred appearance.
We are changing it up and making it in the slow cooker to make dinnertime low key, low mess, and super easy.
What does jerk chicken taste like?
Jerk chicken has a very distinctive flavor – it is both spicy and sweet, with a smoky undertone. The marinade penetrates deeply into the meat, so the flavor is very intense.
If you don’t like food that is too spicy, you may want to reduce the spicy ingredients used in the seasoning.
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
There is some debate about making frozen chicken in a slow cooker. I know many people who just toss the frozen chicken in there.
The issue is that because it is frozen the chicken spends too much time either not being cold enough or hot enough to prevent bacteria growth when it is cooking from a frozen state.
It just takes too long for it to completely thaw and then reach the proper temperature – which can lead to unsafe consumption.
On top of that – you would have to increase the cooking time by quite a bit to get the chicken to be fully cooked. I don’t recommend using frozen chicken
Can this jerk chicken be grilled instead?
You bet. If you would like to grill this chicken recipe instead, just combine the chicken and the seasoning mixture in a large zip-top bag and allow it to marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
Then just follow my recipe here for making these chicken thighs on the bbq or smoker. You can also try them in the Instant Pot, make them in the air fryer or bake them in the oven.
Ingredients for Jerk Chicken
- chicken thighs – bone-in with skin
- water
- orange juice
- lime juice
- apple cider vinegar
- jerk seasoning blend
- soy sauce
- minced garlic
- salt
- curry powder
What to serve with Jerk Chicken
The possibilities are endless when it comes to side dishes to pair with this chicken dinner. But here are a few of our favorites…
- One Hour Dinner Rolls
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potato Chips
- Sea Salt Garlic Corn
- Bacon and Garlic Green Beans
- Macaroni Salad
- Bourbon Baked Beans
- Cherry Fluff
- Grilled Corn Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad
How to Make Jerk Chicken in the Slow Cooker
- Prepare the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or spritz with cooking oil.
- Place the chicken thighs into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a large measuring cup or small bowl, combine the seasoning ingredients – water, orange juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, jerk seasoning blend, soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, and curry powder. Whisk well.
- Pour the juice mixture over the top of the chicken.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.
- If crispier skin is desired, preheat the broiler of the oven. Prepare a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spritz with nonstick cooking spray.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Broil for approximately 5 minutes, watching closely, or until the skins have reached the desired crispiness.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
Absolutely – you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs! The chicken breast tastes great when cooked in the slow cooker this way. Cook until the juices run clear – make sure the internal temp of the chicken reaches 165 degrees before serving.
How do I make my own jerk chicken seasoning?
If you can’t find the jerk seasoning at the store, making your own jerk seasoning is super easy to do. Just combine the following ingredients together…
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
- 3 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons table salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper less or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes less or more to taste
What slow cooker do you use?
We actually have several slow cookers that we have acquired over the years from doing this job. I have a smaller one that is great for half recipes.
But the one I use the most is this standard, no-frills slow cooker that is perfect for this particular recipe.
If you love this easy Jerk Chicken recipe, you’re going to love these other slow cooker chicken recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
If you love this recipe for Jerk Chicken as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!
CONNECT WITH YUMMI HAUS!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!
PIN THIS TO SAVE FOR LATER
Jerk Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4-5 pounds chicken thighs – bone in with skin
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons jerk seasoning blend
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or spritz with cooking oil.
- Place the chicken thighs into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a large measuring cup or small bowl, combine the seasoning ingredients – water, orange juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, jerk seasoning blend, soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, and curry powder. Whisk well.
- Pour the juice mixture over the top of the chicken.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.
- If a crispier skin is desired, preheat the broiler of the oven. Prepare a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spritz with nonstick cooking spray.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Broil for approximately 5 minutes, watching closely, or until the skins have reached the desired crispiness.
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Reader Interactions
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Share Your Thoughts