Jerk Chicken Skewers
Fire up the grill for some sizzling flavor! Inspired by Manhattan street food, this Jerk Chicken Skewers recipe is sure to add a "kick" to your cookout.
We love the "meat on the street" that is found on many corners in Manhattan. Food carts crowd the street, creating lines down the block and delectable aromas that stick with you. The scents and spices inspired me to recreate these Grilled Chicken Skewers (Chicken Kabobs) at home. Like our Grilled Citrus Chicken, or Shrimp Skewers, this recipe is perfect for summer cookouts. Serve it with Mashed Potato Salad.
HINT: I choose chicken thighs (rather than chicken breasts) for this recipe because they are moist and juicy, and they absorb the jerk flavors very well.
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Ingredients
For the chicken:
- LIMES: for fresh squeezed lime juice
- CILANTRO: fresh cilantro, chopped
- OLIVE OIL: use the best quality extra virgin olive oil you can afford
- CHICKEN: boneless skinless chicken thighs
For the Jerk Seasoning:
- CHIVES: we use dried chives (from the spice aisle)
- SUGAR: white or brown granulated sugar
- NUTMEG
- SALT: kosher salt
- GARLIC POWDER
- CUMIN
- CRUSHED RED PEPPER: crushed red pepper flakes
- PAPRIKA: we like dark red paprika or smoked paprika
- CAYENNE PEPPER: adds that KICK
- WHITE PEPPER
- BLACK PEPPER
- ALL SPICE
- CINNAMON
- ONION FLAKES: dehydrated onion flakes
- THYME: dried time
- BROWN SUGAR: dark brown sugar or light brown sugar
*see recipe card for quantities
Instructions
- PREPARE THE CHICKEN: Cut all chicken thighs in half lengthways
- MAKE THE MARINADE: In a mixing bowl, combine juice of limes, cilantro and oil.
- MARINATE THE CHICKEN: Marinate the chicken thighs for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator
- MAKE THE JERK SEASONING: (see instructions below or use store-bought seasoning)
- GRILL THE CHICKEN SKEWERS: Remove marinated chicken thighs and place onto skewers. Coat both sides heavily with Jerk spice mixture and grill on open flame until cooked to at least 165°
How to make jerk seasoning
- Mix together: 2 teaspoon dry chives, 2 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, 3 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 1 teaspoon dark red paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon white pepper, 1 teaspoon all spice, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes, 2 teaspoon thyme, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Coat your favorite meat and grill.
Top tip
Do not marinate the shrimp for longer than 30 minutes prior to grilling. Lime juice is an acid and will begin to cook the shrimp if le
Substitutions and variations
- MAKE AHEAD: make the Jerk Seasoning ahead of time and store it in an airtight container until you are ready to use it. Marinate the chicken overnight on the day before you plan to grill.
- ADD VEGGIES: these skewers look and taste great with fresh veggies! Add cherry tomatoes, zucchini, red onion, red peppers or yellow peppers directly onto skewers.
- SWITCH UP THE PROTEIN: Jerk Seasoning tastes great on salmon, shrimp, and chicken wings. Try our favorite: Jerk Turkey Burgers!
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FAQ
We recommend marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours for optimum flavor.
The safest way to eat a chicken skewer is to slide the meat off onto a dish. Using a fork or tongs, carefully slide the meat off the skewer. Do not eat directly off the skewer.
We like metal skewers because they do not burn on the grill.
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Jerk Chicken Skewers recipe
Fire up the grill for some sizzling flavor! Inspired by Manhattan street food, Jerk Chicken Skewers add a kick to your cookout.
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 6 skewers 1x
Ingredients
For the Jerk Seasoning:
- 2 tsp dry chives
- 2 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 3 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tsp dark red paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp all spice
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp dehydrated onion flakes
- 2 tsp thyme
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp black pepper
For the chicken:
- 2 limes
- 1 C chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ C olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- Cut all chicken thighs in half lengthways
- In a mixing bowl, combine juice of limes, cilantro and oil.
- Marinate the chicken thighs for at least 2 hours.
- Remove chicken thighs and place on skewers. Coat both sides heavily with Jerk spice mixture and grill on open flame until cooked to at least 165°.
Notes
- We recommend using chicken thighs for this recipe because they are moist and juicy, and they absorb the jerk flavors very well.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Entrée
- Cuisine: Caribbean
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