Skillet Jerk Chicken Thighs: A Jamaican Delight

The smell of jerk chicken cooking in a hot skillet is unmatched. It fills your kitchen with smoky, spicy goodness. At Jerk Tavern, we love sharing real Jamaican flavors. Today, we’re excited to present our Skillet Jerk Chicken Thighs recipe. This dish uses bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. It’s juicy inside and crispy outside. The bold, fiery flavor is what makes jerk chicken famous.

This recipe shines with our Karibe cast iron skillet. It’s the secret to achieving a perfect sear and even heat, just right for jerk chicken. This skillet jerk chicken will wow your family. It’s perfect for Sunday dinner or to spice up your weekly meals.

Why This Jerk Chicken Recipe Works

• Real Jamaican taste 
• Easy pantry items 
• Spicy and savory
• Crispy skin from a hot skillet 
• Juicy chicken with a caramelized crust 
• Finished in the oven for tenderness
• This is the dish that feeds your soul — spicy, satisfying, and cooked with love.

Why We Love the Karibe Skillet

For this recipe, we used our Karibe Cast Iron Skillet. Let me tell you — it makes all the difference.

The Karibe skillet spreads heat evenly. This ensures you get the perfect sear on your chicken each time. Its sturdy build is perfect for cooking from stove to oven, just what this recipe needs. If you love flavor, this skillet is a must. Use it for jerk chicken, searing salmon, or frying plantains.

Not only is it functional, but the Karibe skillet is beautiful enough to go from stovetop to table. It’s quickly become one of our favorite tools in the kitchen!

🔗 Click here to learn more about the benefits of using a cast iron cookware here.

🔗 Learn how to make Caribbean Style Pepper Steak in the skillet

How to Make Skillet Jerk Chicken Thighs

• Soak the chicken with vinegar and lime or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and rinse with water and pat dry.
• Marinate the Chicken
• In a big bowl, mix together jerk seasoning, green seasonings, browning, soy sauce. Then add complete seasoning, Adobo,black pepper. Rub the marinade all over the chicken, making sure to get under the skin too.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor.
• Preheat Oven
• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Sear the Chicken
• Heat 1 tbsp of oil in your Karibe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for 4–5 minutes without moving them — this helps develop that delicious crust.
• Flip and sear the other side for another 2–3 minutes.
• Finish in the Oven
• Put the skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Baste with juices halfway through for extra flavor.
• Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

What to Serve with Skillet Jerk Chicken

Pair this jerk chicken with Jamaican sides to round out your meal:

• Jamaican festival
• Rice and peas
• Steamed cabbage and carrots
• Fried plantains
• Roasted breadfruit

Pro Tips for the Best Jerk Chicken

• Don’t skip the sear: It creates that signature crust and adds depth of flavor.
• Use cast iron. The Karibe skillet spreads heat evenly. It also helps finish the chicken perfectly in the oven.
• Marinate overnight: The longer it sits, the deeper the flavor.
• Deglaze the skillet: After searing, add a splash of broth or water. This lifts all the tasty bits from the pan. Then, transfer it to the oven.
• Double the batch! This chicken is fantastic for leftovers. Use it in tacos, sandwiches, or grain bowls!

Variations You Can Try

• Boneless choice: Use boneless thighs for a quicker meal (reduce oven time to 15–20 minutes).
• Coconut jerk sauce: Add 1/4 cup coconut milk during the oven phase. Include a tsp of brown sugar for a saucy twist.
• Grilled version: Start on the skillet, then finish on the grill for smoky outdoor flavor.

Storing & Reheating

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
• To Reheat: Place in the oven at 350°F until it is warmed through. Alternatively, reheat in the skillet with a splash of broth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this jerk chicken less spicy?

Absolutely! Use less scotch bonnet or skip it entirely and rely on your jerk seasoning for milder heat.

Can I use chicken drumsticks or wings?

Yes! This marinade works well with any cut. Adjust cook times based on size. (Jerk wings recipe)

Is browning sauce necessary?

It’s optional, but it gives the chicken a beautiful color and a hint of rich, smoky depth. Try Grace or use a mix of dark soy sauce and molasses.

Where can I buy a Karibe skillet?

You can purchase directly from Karibe’s official website. It’s an investment that will elevate all your skillet recipes!

More Ways to Make Jerk Chicken

• Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken
• Air Fryer Jerk Chicken
• Oven Jerk Chicken

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NKJV

Wisdom

So who are we as His creation to want to live our lives without Him? He is the true vine. We are the branches. If a branch is separated from a tree it dies.

Same thing with us. If we are separated from Jesus, we will die in the end. There will be no heaven for those who are not attached to the Lord. But those who stay connected will be full of life until the vine dies. But we know Jesus lives forever. He is the everlasting God.

Anyone who believes in him and is attached to him, won’t die but will have everlasting life just like him. Not only will we have life after death but while we are alive here we will bear fruit. Fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, long suffering, self control and so on.

We will do miracles, healings, prophecy, be able to teach and preach his words and the Gospel. But without God, without Jesus, we are nothing. Dust we come from and dust we shall return. But where will you end up once we face him in judgement?

Will you die the second death? Or come to eternal life? Abide in the Lord and let him abide in you unto life. For he is the way, the truth, and the life.

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