This spicy standout nails the difficult balance of sweet and fiery that characterizes the best jerk, cutting the heat of the Scotch bonnet chiles with a mixture of allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. The soy sauce adds a sticky-salty-caramel note when the meat is grilled. Because jerk seasoning can burn easily, make sure to use indirect heat when grilling the meat. Serve with rice, beans, and plenty of ice-cold beer. (And be sure to use gloves when handling the peppers.)
Recipe information
Yield
makes 8 servings
Ingredients
FOR JERK MARINADE
FOR CHICKEN
Preparation
MAKE MARINADE
Step 1
Blend all marinade ingredients in a blender until smooth.
MARINATE AND GRILL CHICKEN
Step 2
Divide the chicken pieces and marinade in 2 sealable plastic bags. Seal the bags, pressing out excess air, then turn bags over several times to distribute marinade. Put bags of chicken in a shallow pan and marinate, chilled, turning once or twice, for 1 day.
Step 3
Let chicken stand at room temperature 1 hour before cooking.
COOK CHICKEN USING CHARCOAL GRILL
Step 4
Open the vents on the bottom of the grill and on the lid. Light a large chimney of charcoal briquettes (about 100) and pour them evenly over one side of a bottom rack (you will have a double or triple layer of charcoal).
Step 5
When the charcoal turns grayish white and you can hold your hand 5 inches above the rack for 3 to 4 seconds, sear the chicken in batches on a lightly oiled rack over the coals until well browned on all sides, about 3 minutes per batch. Move the chicken as seared to the side of the grill with no coals underneath, then cook, covered with the lid, until cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes more.
Step 6
Serve the chicken with the papaya salsa.
COOK CHICKEN USING GAS GRILL
Step 7
Preheat the burners on high, then adjust heat to moderate. Cook chicken until well browned on all sides, 15 to 20 minutes. Adjust the heat to low and cook chicken, covered with lid, until cooked through, about 25 minutes more.
Step 8
Serve the chicken with papaya salsa.
COOK CHICKEN USING AN OVEN
Step 9
If you can’t grill, you can roast the chicken in two large shallow (1-inch-deep) baking pans in the upper and lower thirds of a 400°F oven, switching the position of the pans halfway through the roasting, 40 to 45 minutes total.
