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Air Fryer Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Air Fryer Jamaican Jerk Chicken
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Air Fryer Jamaican Jerk Chicken delivers bold Caribbean flavors with a spicy-sweet jerk marinade and perfectly crispy, juicy chicken pieces, all made conveniently in an air fryer. This recipe offers a healthy, quick, and flavorful meal with minimal cleanup, perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks (about 2 lbs)

Jerk Seasoning Blend

  • 1 tbsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1–2 scotch bonnet peppers, seeded and chopped (adjust based on spice preference)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated

Marinade & Flavor Enhancers

  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or canola oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: Combine allspice, thyme, cinnamon, scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, ginger, lime juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and oil in a bowl. Whisk until a thick, aromatic paste forms.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Generously coat the chicken pieces with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, for deeper flavor.
  3. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and preheat for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  4. Air Fry the Chicken: Place marinated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down first. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip and cook for another 10-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the skin is crispy.
  5. Rest and Serve: Remove chicken from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes to lock in juices before serving.

Notes

  • Marinate overnight for more intense flavor penetration.
  • Pat chicken skin dry before cooking for extra crispiness.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; leave space for hot air circulation.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is thoroughly cooked but still juicy.
  • Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet peppers to control heat level.

Nutrition

Keywords: Jamaican jerk chicken, air fryer chicken, Caribbean chicken recipe, spicy chicken, gluten free dinner, easy air fryer recipe

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/air-fryer-jamaican-jerk-chicken/