Jerk-style chicken is a specialty of Jamaica, known for its wonderful smoky-sweet flavor derived from slow-cooking over fresh pimento wood or laurel wood. While we may not have access to those traditional ingredients, we can still create a flavorful and spicy allspice-scented marinade that gives this roast chicken its distinctive taste. To enhance the flavors, we surround the bird with thyme and bay leaves during roasting, resulting in gorgeously crisp and charred skin.
SERVES 3 to 4
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 medium clove garlic, minced or grated on a microplane (about 1 teaspoon)
- 1 scallion, roughly chopped
- ½ teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- ½ Scotch Bonnet or habanero pepper (see Note below)
- 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
- 1 whole chicken, 3½ to 4 pounds, butterflied according to the directions here
- 1 bunch thyme
- 6 bay leaves
INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a food processor or blender, combine the allspice, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, garlic, scallion, ginger, chile, vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and oil. Blend until a rough wet paste forms.
- Separate the chicken skin from the breasts. Spread the spice mixture evenly all over the chicken and under the skin.
- Roast the chicken according to the Roasted Butterflied Chicken recipe (here), with the addition of thyme sprigs and bay leaves inside the cavity and under the skin before putting it in the oven.
- Discard the thyme stems and bay leaves before serving.
NOTES:
- For the juiciest results and best skin, dry-brine the bird and air-dry it overnight as described here. Exercise caution when working with Scotch bonnets or habaneros due to their extreme heat; use separate cutting boards, wear gloves if possible, and clean all surfaces and knives immediately after handling.
Enjoy the rich and flavorful Jamaican-Jerk Rubbed Roast Chicken, packed with aromatic spices and herbs, and experience a taste of Jamaica right in your own kitchen.
