Chicken: Jerk it Island Style!
You know those foods that just make you feel instantly cooler, like you've got a secret swagger? That's Jerk Chicken, honey. It's smoky, it's spicy, and it's got just enough sweetness to make you blush. Basically, it's summer in chicken form, without the annoying sand in your crack. And no, you don't need a passport or a plane ticket to Jamaica to get the real deal. Just a little help from The Spicy Rack.
Your Spicy Rack Secret Sauce: Our Jerk it Island Style Seasoning.
It’s got all the good stuff – the kick, the herbs, the magic – without you needing to hunt down exotic peppers in some dusty specialty store (unless you're into that kind of scavenger hunt, you brave soul!). Just rub it on and prepare for your tastebuds to do a little happy dance.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb each of chicken thighs & drumsticks, or boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 6 tbsp Jerk it Island Style Seasoning
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Backyard Boss Move:
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Get Your Birds Ready: Grab some chicken pieces – thighs and drumsticks are highly recommended, they're more forgiving if you get a little heavy-handed on the grill.
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The Sassy Slather: In a bowl, mix up our Jerk it Island Style Seasoning with a splash of olive oil and a cheeky squeeze of lime juice. Now, get in there! Slather that glorious concoction all over your chicken.
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Let it Marinate (aka, Get Happy): Pop those seasoned chicken pieces into the fridge for at least 4 hours. If you're really committed (or just forget about it), let it hang out overnight. The longer it soaks, the deeper the flavor gets.
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Fire it Up! Grill your chicken over medium-high heat, flipping often. Don't sweat it if they get a little charred – that's not burnt, that's flavor, baby! It’s Jerk it Island Style magic!
Tips & Tricks:
- Feeling feisty?: For an extra kick that'll make your tastebuds tingle, grab some Jalapeno Premium EVOO or Chipotle Premium EVOO, from our friends at Rustic Roots. They can bring the heat.
- Craving a little more zest: a drizzle of Lemon-infused Premium EVOO from Rustic Roots will add that perfect bright, citrusy punch.
- Get Forky With It! Go ahead, don't be shy! Pierce that chicken all over with a fork before marinating. It's like giving your meat little doorways for all that glorious flavor to sneak into. The deeper the penetration, the better the taste!
- Plan ahead, you wild thing: This isn't a one-night stand. For flavor that truly gets down and dirty, let your meat marinate overnight. Trust us, it's worth the wait.
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Go for the Char (because basis is boring): Once that chicken is mostly cooked and feeling confident, slide it over to the hotter side of the grill. Let it hang out there for a few glorious minutes. We're talking about developing a beautiful, sexy char and that irresistible crispy skin.
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The Art of the Rest (Because Even Your Chicken Needs a Break): Once that chicken is off the heat and looking absolutely irresistible, resist the urge to dive right in! Let those beauties rest for a good 5-10 minutes.
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Don't forget about the sides: Serve up your fiery Jerk Chicken with the classics: a heap of rice and peas (because what else?), some sweet, caramelized fried plantains (they're like candy, but healthy-ish). To cool things down a notch from that glorious heat, throw in a side of fresh cabbage or a creamy, sassy coleslaw. And for that final mic drop? A lime wedge for squeezing over the chicken. It's like a little tart kiss that balances all that spicy magic. You're welcome, again.
