Sesame Free Thyme Jerk Chicken
Jerk chicken is one of those dishes that hits every note ā smoky, fiery, fragrant, and deeply savory all at once. The marinade here is built around fresh thyme, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and Scotch bonnet peppers, blended into a coarse paste that clings to every inch of bone-in, skin-on chicken before it ever touches the grill. One smart swap makes this version work for anyone avoiding sesame: tamari stands in for traditional soy sauce, delivering that same umami depth without any hidden sesame oil or cross-contact concerns that can sneak into store-bought jerk sauces and marinades. Garlic-infused oil, maple syrup, lime juice, and apple cider vinegar round out the marinade with layers of brightness and a subtle sweetness that balances the heat beautifully. The technique of reserving a portion of the marinade for basting is what takes the skin from good to genuinely spectacular ā charred, lacquered, and impossible to resist. A proper rest before serving keeps the meat juicy all the way to the bone. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime and a scatter of scallion greens, and this is the kind of plate that disappears fast.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the chicken
- 3 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- Ā½ tsp black pepper
For the jerk marinade
- 3 tbsp garlic-infused oil
- 6 scallions, green tops only, roughly chopped
- 1ā2 scotch bonnet or habanero peppers, stemmed and seeded
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Ā½ tsp ground nutmeg
- Ā½ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp tamari
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp kosher salt
For serving
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
- sliced scallion green tops, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels, then season all over with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Set aside while you make the marinade.
- 2
Combine the garlic-infused oil, scallion green tops, Scotch bonnet pepper(s), thyme, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, tamari, maple syrup, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and 1 tsp kosher salt in a blender or food processor. Blend until a coarse, fragrant paste forms, about 30 seconds.
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