Chef Damien heats things up in the kitchen with this easy but extremely delicious Jerk Chicken Recipe. Jerk Seasoning is careful blend of herbs, spices and different aromatics. Using the Grace Jamaican Jerk Seasoning as a not-so-secret ingredient, delivers all that complex flavor with every spoonful.

What is Jerk?

“Jerk refers to a traditional Jamaican method of seasoning and cooking meats, vegetables or tofu. Rooted in ingredients from Jamaica’s fertile green landscape, jerk consists of an exotic blend of scallions, onions, scotch bonnet peppers, salt, thyme, allspice, black pepper and many other spices. Savoury, fragrant, and tenaciously spicy, jerk is a must have for that burst of flavour and a touch of heat.”  – source gracefoods.com 

History of Jerk

“In the 1700’s, a group of Africans who became known as Maroons combined African meat cooking techniques with a mix of Jamaican spices. Their cooking style evolved to what we know today as jerk. The jerk name has 2 possible origins: either from the Peruvian word “charqui” for dried meat or the practice of jerking (poking) holes in meat to fill with spices prior to cooking.” – source gracefoods.com 

Jerk Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

• 15 drumsticks
• 3 tbsp Grace Jerk Seasoning
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 4 sprigs fine thyme
• 2 tbsp pimento/ juniper berries or all spice powder
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

Method:

1. Add pimento/ juniper berries to a spice grinder then grind to a fine powder.
2. Add garlic, pepper, thyme, sugar to a mortar and pestle or food processor then grind into a paste.
3. Add soy sauce and vegetable oil to paste then combine.
4. Place drumstick in a large bowl then add Grace Jerk Seasoning, all spice powder and the paste.
5. Rub drumsticks with mixture making sure all pieces are well coated.
6. All to marinate for at least two hours. It is best to leave it overnight.
7. Place chicken on a single layer into a baking tray then place in a preheated oven at 350 degrees.
8. Bake for 30 minutes then take out and flip each piece then continue to bake for another 15 minutes.
9. Serve & Enjoy!

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