Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple Salsa Recipe
This Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple Salsa is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender marinated chicken grilled to perfection and topped with a fresh, tangy pineapple salsa. Perfectly balanced with spicy, sweet, and citrus notes, this recipe is a delicious way to bring a taste of the islands to your dinner table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Caribbean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
For the Jerk Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs (700g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tbsp Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 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 finely chopped (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Rub the chicken evenly with the Jamaican jerk seasoning, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20–30 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate, or marinate overnight for a deeper, more intense flavor.
- Prepare the salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the diced fresh pineapple, red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, jalapeño (if using), chopped fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Mix thoroughly to combine the flavors, then set aside to allow the salsa to meld.
- Cook the chicken: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and develops a slightly charred, smoky crust.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice the chicken and top generously with the pineapple salsa. Serve alongside rice, fresh salad, or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For an extra kick, leave the jalapeño seeds in the salsa or add more jalapeño according to taste.
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the jerk flavor substantially.
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for juicier results.
- Use fresh pineapple for the best flavor in the salsa; canned pineapple may add unwanted sweetness or texture.
- To keep it gluten-free, ensure the jerk seasoning does not contain any gluten additives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Caribbean jerk chicken, pineapple salsa, grilled chicken, spicy chicken recipe, tropical chicken dish, easy dinner idea