Deliciously Spicy And Satisfyingly Tender Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken

Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Recipe

Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken combines authentic Jamaican spices and succulent chicken for a flavorful, easy-to-make meal perfect for any day of the week.

Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Recipe

Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Recipe

Whether you are avoiding the hassle of grilling or simply wish to enjoy a smoked, spicy dish without tears, this slow cooker version promises a flavorful, moist chicken perfect over steamed rice or alongside fried plantains. This recipe simplifies the process without sacrificing the genuine taste of allspice, cloves, peppers, and onions that define jerk cuisine.

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
  • 3 green onions (trim tips and roots, use from tip to tail)
  • 1/2 yellow onion
  • 1/2 jalapeño pepper (de-seeded and de-veined)
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Recipe 2

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Chicken Thighs

  1. Prepare the Chicken Thighs: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to encourage browning. By ensuring dryness, you help the chicken skin to crisp up better when browning.
  2. Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Allow it to heat up for a couple of minutes. It’s crucial to have a hot pan, so the chicken skin crisps instead of steams.
  3. Brown the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the hot skillet, skin side down. Brown the chicken on both sides for 3-5 minutes each side, or until the skin is golden and crispy. This step is essential for developing rich flavor and rendering out some of the fat. Remember, you are only browning, not cooking through the chicken at this stage.

Step 2: Prepare the Jerk Sauce

  1. Prepare the Vegetables:
    • Green Onions: Trim the roots and any dried tips off the green onions. Use the entire onion, including the green stalks.
    • Yellow Onion: Peel and roughly chop half of the yellow onion.
    • Jalapeño Pepper: De-seed and de-vein half of a jalapeño pepper to control heat while adding a complex flavor.
  2. Blend the Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the green onions, yellow onion, jalapeño, soy sauce, distilled white vinegar, vegetable oil, brown sugar, thyme, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice. Blend until the mixture is smooth. This creates the flavor-packed jerk marinade.

Step 3: Cooking the Chicken

  1. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the browned chicken thighs into a slow cooker. Ensure the skin side is facing up as this helps keep the skin slightly crisper.
  2. Add the Sauce: Pour the blended jerk sauce over the chicken thighs, making sure they are well coated.
  3. Cook: Set your slow cooker to the low setting. Cook the chicken for 8 hours. This slow cooking method will result in tender, flavorful, and moist chicken that absorbs all the rich flavors of the jerk marinade.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve the jerk chicken with traditional sides such as rice and peas or steamed vegetables.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Tips

  • Adjusting Spice Levels: If you prefer hotter jerk chicken, you can add extra jalapeño or even leave the seeds and veins in for more heat.
  • Storage and Reheating: Leftover jerk chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven to retain moisture.

This recipe harnesses the deep, aromatic flavors of Jamaican jerk seasoning in a hands-off slow cooker method. Enjoy the fragrant and delicious result!

Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Recipe 1

Serving Suggestions

  • Steamed Rice
  • Fried Plantains
  • Green Salad
  • Beans and Rice
  • Grilled Pineapple
  • Coconut Rice
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Tips and Tricks

  • The authentic Jamaican flavors come from a well-seasoned marinade. Spend time preparing this to ensure rich flavors.
  • If you prefer a more authentic and spicy dish, use more jalapeños and leave the seeds in. The slow cooking process will mellow out the heat while infusing the chicken with spicy flavors.
  • If you have a slow cooker that allows for browning in the insert, take advantage of this feature to add depth to the flavor and avoid the extra cleanup of using a separate pan.

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