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    Home » Sauces » How To Make Jerk Chicken Sauce

    How To Make Jerk Chicken Sauce

    Published: Mar 23, 2022 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The sauce is so often the star of the show and there is no exception with jerk chicken! Read on for tips and a recipe detailing how to make jerk chicken sauce so dinner is delicious. This is a great recipe with authentic flavor that the entire family will love!

    Top view of a glass bowl filled with jerk chicken sauce.

    Why This Recipe Works

    I have never heard anyone say that they don’t like jerk chicken. There’s just something about the combination of flavors, with its Jamaican roots, that makes it irresistible.

    Early on in our relationship, my husband and I made jerk chicken A LOT. We came up with a favorite recipe and kept tweaking it until it was perfect.

    I have tweaked the sauce in the recipe even more to accommodate allergies and sensitivities, so the recipe inside this post details my new and improved method for making jerk chicken sauce.

    Use this as a marinade and/or sauce to your next batch of grilled or baked chicken! Dinner has never been so yummy.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Ingredients to make jerk chicken sauce laid out on a counter.

    Yellow onion – Replace with a red onion or extra green onions, if desired.

    Jalapeno peppers – Omit the hot peppers from the sauce entirely if you are looking to make this a milder sauce.

    Light brown sugar – Dark brown sugar can be used in equal amounts. If you would like to reduce or eliminate sugar from the recipe, omit this ingredient entirely.

    Soy sauce – Use equal amounts coconut aminos to make this a gluten-free recipe.

    White vinegar – Replace with apple cider vinegar for an extra flavor boost.

    Olive oil – Canola or vegetable oil can be used as a replacement in equal amounts.

    Dried thyme – If you have fresh thyme on hand, replace 1 teaspoon dried with 1/4 cup chopped fresh.

    Cayenne pepper – This is an optional ingredient, but if you wish to achieve maximum flavor that will make your taste buds sing don’t eliminate it!

    How To Make Jerk Chicken Sauce

    Combine all ingredients in a medium or large mixing bowl. Stir until thoroughly combined.

    Bowl filled with chopped onions and peppers, surrounded by other jerk sauce ingredients.

    For a chunky sauce, leave the sauce as it is! To achieve a smoother consistency, transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until consistency is reached.

    Jerk sauce in a bowl of a food processor after pureeing.

    Either store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use as a marinade or sauce OR transfer the mixture to a shallow dish or plastic bags (doubled). Place chicken thighs or chicken breasts inside the mixture to marinate overnight.

    Ziploc bag filled with chicken breasts and topped with jerk sauce.

    Recipe Notes

    • The spice in this recipe can be catered to your liking! Decrease spiciness by omitting the jalapeno peppers and cayenne pepper. To increase the spice, add habanero peppers or another spicy pepper, as well as extra black pepper and cayenne pepper to the mix.
    • When using as a sauce (vs a marinade), transfer the contents to a saucepan and set burner to medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until desired consistency and temperature has been reached. Drizzle over cooked jerk chicken and use the rest as a dipping sauce!
    • If you use this recipe as a marinade AND a sauce, pour marinade into a saucepan once you begin cooking the chicken. Bring sauce to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for up to 20 minutes before drizzling over cooked chicken.
    • If you know you’d like a super smooth sauce even before you begin cooking, cut the onion into chunks (vs chopping) and throw the garlic cloves in whole.
    • Other fresh herbs can be added to the mixture, depending on what your tastebuds are craving. Parsley, chives and basil all contribute a unique and delicious flavor.
    • Grated fresh ginger adds a freshness to the sauce that you’ll love! Start with 1 teaspoon and increase according to your personal preferences.
    • Lime juice, lemon juice or a dash of orange juice will add fresh flavor to the marinade.
    • If using ziploc bags to store the delicious marinade in the refrigerator, be sure to double up on the plastic bag usage!

    How Long Does Soy Sauce Last

    How long does soy sauce last? If you have a bottle staring at you from inside your pantry or refrigerator and you don’t know whether to toss or use, you’ll want to read this post!

    What To Serve With Jerk Chicken

    Jerk chicken can be enjoyed in many ways, with its trademark spicy flavor. If you are searching for other foods that pair well with this main meal, read on for ideas for what to serve with jerk chicken.

    The roundup includes easy recipes such as coconut rice, Jamaican rice, a variety of potato dishes and more!

    18 Homemade Sauces to Use Now or Freeze for Later

    Making homemade sauces is a great way to know exactly what ingredients are going into them, they are more affordable than store-bought and they’re just tastier! Homemade all the way!

    Chicken breast with bite off the end and covered in a chunky sauce.

    FAQ About Jerk Chicken

    What is jerk chicken?

    The word jerk in jerk chicken refers to a style of cooking where the chicken in the recipe is surrounded by various spices and other marinade ingredients and slow-cooked over a grill. Achieving a smoky flavor during cooking is what the “jerk” is referencing.

    How long to marinate jerk chicken?

    Marinate jerk chicken for a minimum of 4 hours in the fridge, but preferably overnight.

    What to eat with jerk chicken?

    Many varieties of sides go well with jerk chicken, including salsa, rice, beans, potatoes, salad or any cooked veggies.

    Sauce Recipes To Try

    • Homemade Enchilada Sauce is more delicious than anything you can buy at the store and it is super easy to make. It only requires a handful of ingredients and is done in 15 minutes. 
    • Alfredo Sauce is super easy to make, done in under 10 minutes. 
    • A copycat recipe of the famous Arby’s Sauce that makes sandwiches sing! This zingy flavorful BBQ style sauce is so delicious. 
    • This homemade Pizza Sauce takes less than 25 minutes to make!
    • Asian Chili Paste is great to have on hand for homemade Asian recipes. Healthy, super affordable and PACKED with flavor.
    • Make your own Taco Sauce to use in a variety of Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos and taco salads. Ditch the store-bought version so you know EXACTLY what goes inside!
    • Five ingredients and five minutes of your time and you will have a chocolatey, dreamy Hot Fudge Sauce on your hands! It’s a thick, smooth and rich treat. 

    Delicious Chicken Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Crack Chicken – You need to try this mixture on a bun because it’s an addicting and delicious lunch or dinner option that everyone will enjoy. Great weeknight meal AND the perfect party food!
    • Not only is this the tastiest Lemon Chicken Piccata recipe you’ll meet, it is also super easy to prepare. Add it to your dinner rotation pronto!
    • Easy Classic Chicken Alfredo is the perfect dinner recipe for busy nights. Done in 30 minutes and made in a single pan, everyone at the table will love this comforting dish!
    • Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is a perfect weeknight dinner. This yummy recipe boasts flavor, veggies and rice all in one dish. Kids and adults love it!
    • Pineapple BBQ Chicken requires only FOUR ingredients and 30 minutes of your time. This quick and easy dinner recipe is packed with flavor and will feed your family quickly.

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    Jerk Chicken Sauce Recipe

    The sauce is often the star of the show and that is the case with jerk chicken! Learn how to make jerk chicken sauce for the perfect dinner!
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    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: Jamaican
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 223kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Ingredients

    • 1 yellow onion chopped
    • 1 bunch green onions sliced
    • 2 jalapeno peppers finely chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup soy sauce use equal amounts coconut aminos to make this a gluten-free recipe
    • 1/2 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
    • 1/2 cup olive oil
    • 1 tsp dried thyme
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp pepper
    • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients in a medium or large mixing bowl. Stir until thoroughly combined.
    • Either store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use as a marinade or sauce or transfer it to a shallow dish or doubled ziploc bags and add chicken to marinate overnight.
    • When using as a sauce (and not a marinade), transfer the contents to a saucepan and set burner to medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until desired consistency and temperature has been reached. Drizzle over cooked jerk chicken or serve as a dipping sauce!

    Notes

    • The spice in this recipe can be catered to your liking! Decrease spiciness by omitting the jalapeno peppers and cayenne pepper. To increase the spice, add habanero peppers or another spicy pepper, as well as extra black pepper and cayenne pepper to the mix.
    • When using as a sauce (vs a marinade), transfer the contents to a saucepan and set burner to medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until desired consistency and temperature has been reached. Drizzle over cooked jerk chicken and use the rest as a dipping sauce!
    • If you use this recipe as a marinade AND a sauce, pour marinade into a saucepan once you begin cooking the chicken. Bring sauce to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for up to 20 minutes before drizzling over cooked chicken.
    • If you know you’d like a super smooth sauce even before you begin cooking, cut the onion into chunks (vs chopping) and throw the garlic cloves in whole.
    • Other fresh herbs can be added to the mixture, depending on what your tastebuds are craving. Parsley, chives and basil all contribute a unique and delicious flavor.
    • Grated fresh ginger adds a freshness to the sauce that you’ll love! Start with 1 teaspoon and increase according to your personal preferences.
    • Lime juice, lemon juice or a dash of orange juice will add fresh flavor to the marinade.
    • If using ziploc bags to store the delicious marinade in the refrigerator, be sure to double up on the plastic bag usage!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 1279mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 133IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
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