Description
Spicy Caribbean jerk chicken delivers bold island flavors with zesty pineapple salsa. Marinade and grilling techniques combine Caribbean spices and fresh ingredients for an authentic culinary experience you can enjoy at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup (240 ml) diced pineapple
- 0.5 onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced (optional)
- 1 handful cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 lime (juice)
- 2 tsp honey
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk marinade ingredients in a large bowl until completely integrated, creating a harmonious blend of Caribbean spices and aromatics.
- Chicken Marination: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes to allow flavor infusion and tenderization.
- Pineapple Salsa Creation: Finely dice pineapple, red onion, and cilantro into consistent, bite-sized pieces. Combine with lime juice, salt, and black pepper, gently mixing to distribute seasonings throughout the salsa.
- Grill Preparation: Preheat grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F or 190-204°C), creating an ideal cooking environment for achieving perfect char and flavor.
- Chicken Grilling: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Carefully place chicken on hot grill, cooking 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring complete doneness and optimal flavor development.
- Resting and Serving: Allow grilled chicken to rest for 3-4 minutes, helping retain moisture. Plate the jerk chicken and crown with vibrant pineapple salsa, optionally garnishing with fresh cilantro for an extra burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- Marinate Strategically: Aim for 30-45 minutes to maximize flavor absorption without breaking down chicken’s protein structure.
- Check Temperature Precisely: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches safe 165°F internal temperature, preventing foodborne illness.
- Rest Meat Properly: Allowing grilled chicken to rest 3-4 minutes helps redistribute juices, keeping meat tender and preventing dryness.
- Balance Salsa Texture: Keep salsa slightly chunky for better mouthfeel and visual appeal, avoiding over-processing that creates mushy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg