Jerk Chicken is a spicy Jamaican dish that’s got a mix of sweet, savory, and fiery flavors, thanks to ingredients like Scotch Bonnet or Jalapeño peppers! It’s got a marinade that’s so full of zest, it might even make you sweat a little.
You can usually find traditional Jamaican jerk chicken being grilled up at roadside stands all over Jamaica. But in this recipe, I’ll show you how to make it in the oven, with a little twist for the Instant Pot.
I’m not a big fan of using chicken breasts in my cooking. I prefer the richer taste of chicken thighs and drumsticks, especially when they’re cooked in the Instant Pot. And guess what? You don’t even need to marinate the chicken ahead of time! Just toss everything into the Instant Pot, cook it up, then finish it off on the grill. It’s easy peasy!
I love using the Instant Pot because it makes the meat super tender without needing much attention. And grilling it at the end gives it a nice flavor and look that I really enjoy. It’s like getting the best of both worlds!
Instant Pot Jerk Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
- Grill
Ingredients
- ½ cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup Red wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Pickapeppa sauce
- 1 tbsp Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 tsp Salt
- 6 Chicken thighs or drumsticks
Instructions
- Mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, Pickapeppa sauce, Jamaican jerk seasoning, and salt in your Instant Pot.
- Toss in your chicken pieces and give ’em a good stir to coat ’em all nice.
- Seal up the Instant Pot and let it work its magic on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- When it’s done, release the pressure quickly and open up that pot carefully.
- Take out the chicken and set it aside for a sec.
- Now, switch your Instant Pot to sauté mode and let the sauce simmer down until it’s nice and thick, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Time to fire up the grill! Give your chicken a quick sear for that perfect grilled look and flavor, about 2 minutes per side. You can brush on more sauce while you grill if you want extra flavor.
- Serve up your delicious Jamaican Jerk Chicken with some peach salsa or fried plantains, plus beans and rice on the side. Don’t forget to pour any extra sauce over the top!
Notes
- If you’re skipping the grill, add 2 more minutes to the pressure cooking time.
- Natural pressure release also works just fine for this recipe.
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 205 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 10g |
| Protein | 13g |
| Fat | 4g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 55mg |
| Sodium | 1139 mg |
| Sugar | 11g |
Is it Necessary To Grill the Chicken After Pressure Cooking, Or Can I Skip That Step?
Grilling the chicken after pressure cooking adds a delicious smoky flavor and helps give it that classic grilled look. However, if you prefer, you can skip this step and simply serve the chicken after pressure cooking.
Can I Use Boneless Chicken For This Recipe Instead of Bone-In Chicken?
Yes, you can! Just adjust the cooking time slightly if using boneless chicken to ensure it cooks through properly.
Can I Adjust the Level Of Spiciness in This Recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the amount of Jamaican jerk seasoning or hot sauce to suit your taste preferences. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of seasoning or omit the hot sauce altogether.