Savor a taste of the Caribbean with this single-serving Jerk Chicken without the heat! Flavorful, easy to make, and the perfect choice for a quick dinner.
A flavorful, easy to prepare jerk chicken recipe made with one chicken breast is the perfect way to spice up your dinner routine. This mouthwatering dish is packed with bold flavors and just the right amount of heat, making it perfect for those times when you want to treat yourself to a taste of the Caribbean.
What Is Jerk Chicken?
Jerk Chicken is a popular Jamaican dish that features chicken coated with a fabulous jerk seasoning which includes spices like cinnamon, cumin, and allspice. Our jerk chicken is a milder version of this classic Caribbean dish and is tailored for those who prefer less heat. Made with a juicy, boneless, skinless chicken breast, the coating is adapted to offer a gentle kick of flavors without overpowering spiciness. This deliciously aromatic dish is filled with mild spices, then baked to perfection in just 20 minutes.
Why This Recipe Works
- Single serving size: Perfect for enjoying a flavorful meal without cooking for a crowd.
- Easy to make: With just a few simple steps, you'll have a delicious jerk chicken dinner.
- Bold flavors: The jerk seasoning packs a punch, offering a taste of the Caribbean in every bite.
- Recipe doubles well: If you'd like to make a jerk chicken dinner for two, or to simply have enough for another meal, just double the ingredient amounts.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.
- Jamaican jerk seasoning: Use allspice, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and brown sugar. You are in control of the heat here so if you'd like to make your jerk chicken a little spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. I've tested this recipe with ⅛ of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and found that this amount of cayenne pepper yields a very spicy jerk chicken. I suggest starting out with half that amount, taste the seasoning, and add additional cayenne pepper if you feel it is necessary.
- Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil in this simple jerk chicken recipe and in every other recipe on One Dish Kitchen that calls for olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil. It is an unrefined oil and the highest-quality olive oil you can buy. Because of the way extra virgin olive oil is made, it retains a more true olive taste. It also contains more of the vitamins and minerals found in olives. It's my favorite type of olive oil, but you may use light olive oil instead.
- Chicken: Use 1 (5 to 6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
How To Make Jerk Chicken For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make jerk chicken. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Combine brown sugar, allspice, cumin, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Stir in the olive oil.
Pro Tip: If you'd like a spicy jerk chicken, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix.
- Rub the jerk seasoning over all sides of the chicken breast and place in a lightly greased 5x7-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken has reached 165°F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
- Transfer to a plate and pour the juices over the chicken. Slice and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Read through the entire recipe and the Ingredient Notes section of the post and gather your ingredients. This easy jerk chicken recipe comes together quickly so it's a good idea to have everything ready before beginning.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked through. Cook the meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when the thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
- Rest before slicing: Allow the cooked chicken breast to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing, which helps retain juices and improves overall texture.
- Adjust heat level: Customize the spiciness of your jerk chicken by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the jerk seasoning.
- If the melted brown sugar sticks to the baking dish, simply pour boiling water into the dish and the brown sugar will melt right off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! If you'd like to make "jerk chicken for two" or to simply have another chicken breast leftover for another meal, just double the ingredient amounts.
The key ingredient in jerk seasoning is allspice which gives jerk chicken its distinct flavor.
Yes, you can use 5 to 6 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of a chicken breast.
A chicken breast fits perfectly inside a 5x7-inch baking dish. The dish we use can be viewed on our Store page.
Serving Suggestions
Many side dishes go well with jerk chicken. I love to enjoy my chicken with a side of white rice and cowboy caviar.
How To Store Jerk Chicken
Store leftover jerk chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or on the stovetop until heated through.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
- Chicken breast: Chicken Marsala, Chicken Tetrazzini, Tuscan Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Margherita
- Brown sugar: Morning Glory Muffins, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Bananas Foster, Ham Steak, Strawberry Crisp
- Allspice: Garam Masala Spice Mix, Apple Butter, Sweet Potato Casserole, Swedish Meatballs, Sugar Plums
- Cumin: Butter Chicken, Black Bean Soup, Chili, Beef Enchiladas, Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Cinnamon: Banana Nut Bread, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Molasses Cookies, Carrot Cake Cupcakes, Spice Cake
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this easy jerk chicken recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Recipe
Jerk Chicken For One
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar , packed
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 (5 to 6 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine brown sugar, allspice, cumin, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Stir in the olive oil.Pro Tip: If you'd like a spicy jerk chicken, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix.
- Rub the jerk seasoning over all sides of the chicken breast and place in a lightly greased 5x7-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken has reached 165°F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
- Transfer to a plate and pour the juices over the chicken. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Read through the entire recipe and the Ingredient Notes section of the post and gather your ingredients. This easy jerk chicken recipe comes together quickly so it's a good idea to have everything ready before beginning.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked through. Cook the meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when the thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
- Rest before slicing: Allow the cooked chicken breast to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing, which helps retain juices and improves overall texture.
- Adjust heat level: Customize the spiciness of your jerk chicken by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the jerk seasoning.
- If the melted brown sugar sticks to the baking dish, simply pour boiling water into the dish and the brown sugar will melt right off.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Tiwanda Henderson says
That' is a very delicious 🥰 Dish very delicious and very injoyable I love it thank you for everything that you all have showed us
J. Hegyi says
Good recipe.
Joanie Zisk says
Thank you.