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Caribbean

Jerk Chicken in the Style of Yallahs

If you’re not inclined to make your own jerk-style marinade, try the convenient and authentic Jamaican Spice Paste from my Planet Barbecue line. Simply marinate the chicken legs for 4 hours or overnight and grill as directed below.


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Jerk Chicken in the Style of Yallahs

Recipe Notes

  • Advance Prep: 4 hours to overnight for marinating the chicken
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
  • Method: Direct Grilling

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds bone-in chicken legs, rinsed and blotted dry
  • 1 bunch scallions, trimmed, both white and green parts coarsely chopped
  • 2 shallots, coarsely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
  • 1 to 2 Scotch bonnet chiles or habañero peppers, seeded (for hotter chicken, leave the seeds in)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt (kosher or sea)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil or water, or more as needed
  • Hellfire Hot Sauce(optional)

Recipe Steps

Step 1: Place the scallions, shallots, garlic, Scotch bonnet(s), thyme, salt, pepper, and allspice in a food processor fitted with a chopping blade and puree to a smooth paste, running the machine in bursts. Add enough oil or water to obtain a pourable consistency.

Step 2: Pour the marinade over the chicken legs, turning them to coat all over. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator, covered, for at least 4 hours or as long as overnight. Turn the legs several times so they marinate evenly.

Step 3: Set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat it to medium. Leave one section of the grill bare for a safety zone.

Step 4: When ready to cook, brush and oil the grill grate. Drain the chicken legs well, discarding the marinade. Arrange the chicken legs skin side down on the hot grate and grill them until they are nicely browned and cooked through, 6 to 10 minutes per side, turning with tongs. If the chicken skin or meat starts to burn or you get flare-ups, move the chicken to the safety zone. When cooked, the meat at the bone will have lost all traces of pink: Make a tiny slit with the tip of a knife to check it.

Step 5: To serve, place the chicken on a chopping block or substantial cutting board, and using a cleaver, hack the chicken meat into bite-size pieces.

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