Authentic tasting slow cooker jerk chicken

Matt Jenner

Contributing Writer

Jerk chicken is one of the most popular dishes served in Jamaica, and around the world. Both tourists and locals alike love the sweet, spicy flavors that are marinaded deep into the chicken. This slow cooker jerk chicken recipe requires no marination time, as cooking in the slow cooker helps to both tenderize the chicken and also pull the flavors of the seasoning into the meat.
The recipe below uses traditional ingredients and spices traditionally found in Jamaican jerk chicken, such as cinnamon, all-spice, and ground ginger. Habanero pepper helps give the chicken its famous kick. Jerk food is known for its blend of sweet, savory, and spicy ingredients, and is traditionally cooked in a metal drum. This modernized version takes the same flavors, and brings it into your kitchen for an easy clean-up meal.

Cooktop Cove

Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken

4-6

10 mins

6 hrs

6 hrs 10 mins

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (trimmed)

½ cup lime juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons soy sauce

5 green onions, diced

1 habanero pepper, vein and seeds removed, small diced

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground all-spice

1 teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients together (except the chicken), and mix until well blended.

Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker, and pour the jerk mixture on and around the chicken. Make sure to coat all sides of the chicken well.

Cover the slow cooker and cook chicken on low power for six hours. Avoid opening the lid while cooking.

After six hours, the chicken should be fully cooked and tender. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and serve on a platter or on individual plates. Spoon some of the jerk sauce from the slow cooker on the chicken for extra flavor, and serve immediately with steamed white rice.

Pro-tip: Make this meal extra authentically Jamaican by eating it with rice and beans, steamed cabbage, and sweet plantains.

Pro-tip: Give your jerk a little kick by topping it with your favorite hot sauce or extra diced chili pepper.

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