Prepare to embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Caribbean with Grilled Jerk Chicken accompanied by a vibrant Tomato Salsa. This flavorful dish combines the rich, smoky heat of jerk seasoning with the refreshing zest of tomato salsa, creating a harmonious fusion that’s a delight for the senses.

Crafting the Jerk Seasoning

We start by crafting the soul of this dish, the jerk seasoning. This spice blend is a symphony of flavors, featuring elements like allspice, brown sugar, thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, black pepper, and salt. Together, these spices create a fragrant, slightly sweet, and deeply aromatic seasoning that embodies the essence of Caribbean cuisine.

Marinating the Chicken

Our culinary adventure continues as we marinate a whole chicken with this exquisite jerk seasoning. The chicken is generously coated, inside and out, ensuring every nook and cranny is infused with the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil seals the deal, readying the chicken for its flavorful journey on the grill. The marinating process, lasting at least 4 hours but ideally overnight, allows the spices to penetrate the meat, promising a juicy and aromatic result.

The Grill Masterpiece

As we fire up the grill, anticipation builds for the creation we’re about to create. The chicken takes center stage, initially grilling over indirect heat, which gently begins to crisp up the skin. A two-zone grilling approach ensures the chicken cooks evenly and retains its moisture. After about an hour, we transition the chicken to direct heat, where the flames kiss the meat, creating those irresistible charred bits and sealing in the smoky goodness.

Tomato Salsa, the Refreshing Counterpart

While the chicken grills to perfection, we prepare the refreshing Tomato Salsa that will accompany our star dish. Chopped tomatoes, red onion, green bell pepper, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a dash of salt and ground black pepper create a medley of colors and flavors. This salsa adds a zesty contrast to the boldness of the jerk chicken, providing a refreshing respite with every bite.

The Culinary Climax

With the chicken now grilled to a mouthwatering finish and resting briefly to lock in its juices, we slice it into serving pieces. Each slice showcases the tantalizing jerk seasoning and the succulent chicken within. The vibrant Tomato Salsa, chilled and brimming with fresh ingredients, adds a burst of freshness and flavor to the dish. A final garnish of lime wedges introduces a citrusy note that harmonizes the entire ensemble.

A Caribbean Feast

Grilled Jerk Chicken with Tomato Salsa offers a journey through the Caribbean’s culinary wonders. The bold and smoky heat of jerk seasoning meets the crisp, refreshing salsa, offering a balance of flavors that’s nothing short of sensational. This dish is a celebration of Caribbean cuisine and a feast for your taste buds, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends on warm summer evenings or any occasion when you crave a taste of the exotic.

Grilled Jerk Chicken with Tomato Salsa

Recipe by Kyle Taylor

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: MainCuisine: CaribbeanDifficulty: Medium

Servings

servings

Prep time

hours

Cooking time

hours

minutes

Total time

hours

minutes

Grilled Jerk Chicken with Tomato Salsa takes your taste buds on a journey to the Caribbean with its perfectly charred, aromatic chicken paired with a vibrant and tangy salsa, delivering a harmonious explosion of flavors and textures that will leave you craving for more.

Ingredients

For the Grilled Jerk Chicken
1 whole (3-4 lb) chicken, cleaned and patted dry
1/2 cup jerk seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
for serving, lime wedges
For the Tomato Salsa
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 small red onion, diced
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1 lime, juiced
1/4 cup cilantro, freshly chopped
to taste, salt and ground black pepper
For the Jerk Seasoning
3 tablespoons ground allspice
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder
1 1/2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons salt

Directions

Make the Jerk Seasoning:
In a bowl, combine all the jerk seasoning ingredients: ground allspice, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Store any extra Jerk Seasoning in an airtight container for future use.
Marinate the Chicken:
Place the whole chicken in a large shallow dish. Sprinkle and rub the homemade jerk seasoning evenly over the entire chicken, including the cavity. Use your hands to ensure the seasoning is well-distributed. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the chicken and rub it to coat the skin. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
Grill the Chicken:
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F (190°C). Set up a two-zone grilling area with direct and indirect heat. Place the marinated chicken on the grill grates, breast-side down, over the indirect heat zone. Grill for about 60 minutes, turning occasionally, until the skin starts to crisp up.

Move the chicken over to the direct heat zone, over the flames or coals. Grill for an additional 10-15 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until the skin is charred, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the grill and let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving. Slice the grilled jerk chicken into serving pieces.
Serve:
Serve the vibrant homemade jerk chicken alongside the fresh and zesty tomato salsa. Garnish with lime wedges.
Make the Tomato Salsa:
In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, red onion, green bell pepper, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt and ground black pepper to taste. Mix well.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, while the chicken cooks.