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Experience the bright Caribbean flavors with our Jerk Chicken recipe, designed just for one and dialed back on the spice. In less than 30 minutes, you can transform a single chicken breast into a wonderfully flavorful meal. It’s perfect for when you want a quick and tasty dinner. This single serving Jerk Chicken is infused with the authentic, rich flavors of the Caribbean, making it a simple way to enjoy island cuisine right at your own table. It’s an excellent choice for anyone seeking a delicious, speedy dinner option
Serve your delightful Jerk Chicken alongside a variety of tasty side dishes. Pair it with fluffy white rice, vibrant cowboy caviar, a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette, a slice of warm homemade French bread, tender sautéed green beans, creamy mashed potatoes, or a refreshing cucumber salad. These wonderful sides complement the rich flavors of the Jerk Chicken, creating a perfectly balanced and enjoyable meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 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.
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 For One is a milder version of this classic Caribbean dish and is tailored for those who prefer less heat. Made with one 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.
Ingredients
This section provides a quick rundown of the ingredients used in this Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe. For complete measurements and step-by-step instructions, please scroll to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Jamaican jerk seasoning: This blend includes allspice, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and brown sugar. You have control over the spice level. To add a little heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper. In my tests, I found that 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper makes the jerk chicken quite spicy. I recommend starting with just half of that amount. Taste your seasoning mix, and if you think it needs more kick, gradually add more cayenne pepper until it suits your preference.
- Olive oil: In this recipe, as with all my recipes at One Dish Kitchen, I use extra virgin olive oil. This type of olive oil is the least processed, retaining the most authentic olive flavor and the highest amount of vitamins and minerals from the olives. It’s the highest-quality olive oil available. If you prefer a lighter taste, feel free to use light olive oil as a substitute.
- Chicken: For this recipe, you’ll need one (5 to 6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast. This portion is perfect for a satisfying single serving. If you’ve got extra chicken, consider using one to make Kung Pao Chicken, Chicken Nuggets, or Crack Chicken.
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serve Jerk Chicken recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
Recipe Variations
If you’re a fan of the jerk flavor profile but want to shake things up a bit, here are some recipe variations. Each keeps the essence of the dish while introducing a new twist.
- Grilled Pineapple Topping: Grill slices of pineapple and place them on top of your jerk chicken for a tropical, summery feel.
- Jerk Chicken Tacos: Dice the cooked jerk chicken breast and use it as a filling for soft tacos. Top with lettuce, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.
- Jerk Chicken Salad: Slice the cooked chicken breast and serve it over a bed of mixed greens, tropical fruits, and a light vinaigrette for a Caribbean-inspired salad.
How To Make Jerk Chicken For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make Caribbean 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 5×7-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!
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.
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 seasoned 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 5×7-inch baking dish. The dish we use can be viewed on our Store page.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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!
Jerk Chicken For One
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 5×7-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.
Nutrition
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.
Would like to convert this recipe to air fryer. How would this be done?
We haven’t tested this recipe in an air fryer, so we can’t provide specific instructions. I recommend checking your air fryer’s manual for guidance on cooking chicken breast. Following the manual’s recommendations will help you achieve the best results.
Do I need to pat the chicken dry ?
No, patting the chicken dry isn’t essential for this recipe. You’ll get good results either way.
That’ is a very delicious 🥰 Dish very delicious and very injoyable I love it thank you for everything that you all have showed us
Good recipe.
Thank you.