Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple Salsa Recipe
A flavorful and vibrant Caribbean Jerk Chicken served with a fresh and zesty pineapple salsa. This easy-to-make dish features juicy chicken marinated in authentic Jamaican jerk seasoning, grilled to perfection and complemented by a sweet and spicy pineapple salsa, perfect for a tropical-inspired meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: Serves 2–4 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling/Searing
- Cuisine: Caribbean
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 500g chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tbsp Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pineapple Salsa:
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional, for heat)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Rub the chicken evenly with olive oil and Jamaican jerk seasoning ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours, to allow the flavors to deeply infuse the meat.
- Prepare the Pineapple Salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the diced pineapple, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, and chopped cilantro. Squeeze in the fresh lime juice, season with salt to taste, and mix everything thoroughly. Set aside to let the flavors meld together.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and has a nice char on the surface.
- Serve: Slice the cooked chicken and top generously with the pineapple salsa. Pair with steamed rice, a fresh salad, or grilled vegetables for a complete Caribbean-inspired meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer, up to overnight, will enhance the flavor even more.
- Use boneless chicken thighs for juicier results, or breasts for leaner meat.
- The pineapple salsa can be made ahead and refrigerated to deepen the flavors.
- Adjust the jalapeño amount based on your preferred spice level or omit for a milder taste.
- Serve the dish with coconut rice for an authentic Caribbean touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving (approximately 150g chicken with salsa)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Caribbean jerk chicken, pineapple salsa, grilled chicken, spicy chicken, tropical chicken recipe, Jamaican jerk seasoning