Go Back
–+ servings
sliced chicken on a wood cutting board with jamaican jerk chicken marinade on it and fresh lime wedges
Print Recipe
4.96 from 21 votes

Shortcut Jamaican jerk chicken marinade

Get vibrant, tropical flavors from pantry staples with this shortcut Jamaican jerk chicken marinade! Simple and no food processor or hot peppers needed.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Jamaican
Servings: 4
Calories: 201kcal
Author: Denise Bustard

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (roughly 2 chicken breasts)

Instructions

  • Combine all spices, olive oil and lime juice in a plastic or reusable silicone freezer bag. Add chicken breasts and turn to coat in marinade.
  • Marinate the chicken in the fridge for 2-24 hours.
  • Heat oven to 425°F. Bake chicken in a shallow baking dish for 10 minutes, flip over, then bake for another 12-17 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Allow chicken to rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve with fresh mango!

Freezer

  • After combining the marinade ingredients with the chicken, place the bag in the freezer immediately. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw in the fridge overnight, or by immersing the bag in a bowl of cold water for a couple of hours.
  • Cook as directed above.

Notes

Storage
Marinade may be mixed up 7 days before adding chicken.
Cooked chicken may be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Alternative cooking methods:
  • grill- I recommend pounding the chicken flat before marinating to ensure it cooks through evenly. Cook over high heat 2 minutes per side until it reaches an internal temp of 155°F
  • frying pan- cook in olive oil over medium heat in a nonstick skillet for 5-7 minutes per side
  • air fryer- I recommend pounding the chicken before marinating. Cook at 390°F/ 200°C for 4 minutes + 2 minutes (flipping half way).
Marinating time for other proteins:
  • boneless chicken thighs- 2-24 hours marinating time
  • shrimp or fish- 30 minutes marinating time
  • pork tenderloin- at least 24 hours to marinate
  • tofu- press first, then marinate for 2-24 hours

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 chicken breast (3.5 oz) | Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g