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Jerk chicken

This Instant Pot Jerk Chicken plays with a sweetness inspired by jamaican spices without the spice.

My kids cannot handle heavy spice at this age (though I love it) so I wanted to create a recipe that my whole family could enjoy around the table together.

Here is a jerk chicken that can enjoyed by all with savory notes along with a sweet jerk sauce.

Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Instructions provided for the Jerk Chicken below.

There are so many ways you can enjoy this jerk chicken. Try making instant pot jerk chicken tacos, or jerk chicken bowl, or even jerk chicken pizza!

An easy jerk chicken recipe gives you endless possibilities. This recipe is also clean since everything is made from scratch. So you can enjoy healthy food knowing exactly what you are putting into your body.

An authentic jerk chicken recipe can be heavy handed on the spice. Though delicious for those who enjoy a good kick it is not always everyones favorite. My kids are not at an age where they enjoy spice yet so this recipe was born focusing on Jamaican flavors without the kick.

Why you will love this Instant Pot Jerk Chicken.

10 Minutes to Prep

Super Easy

Extremely Tasty

Healthy (Soy Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Preservative Free)

Family Friendly

Is Jerk Chicken healthy?

Yes! Any recipe can be made healthy as long as you are using real ingredients. This jerk chicken have no sugar or ketchup. Only natural sweeteners like raw honey.

Because there are so many seasonings involved I have used organic spices. Non-organic seasonings can contain so many additives you do not want to consume. For more on spices check out this post 5 Reasons to Buy Organic Spices.

Ingredients you will need for this Instant Pot Jerk Chicken.

chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
raw honey
water
fresh lime
tomato paste
vinegar
nutmeg
cayenne
onion power
garlic powder
dried thyme
salt
cinnamon
paprika
ground ginger
cumin

What is raw honey? Is it different from regular honey?

Raw honey comes straight from the honey comb. It is cleaned of any bits of comb but does not undergo a pasteurization process which leaves it a bit cloudy because this is honey in its pure natural form.

Regular honey undergoes a pasteurization process making it pure and very consistent in it coloring. It also does not solidify.

The pasteurization process may decrease the health benefits that raw honey has to offer by lowering the number of antioxidants and nutrients in the honey. You may use raw or regular honey but because of the health benefits I always recommend using raw honey.

How to make the Jerk sauce?

SUPER EASY! In the past sauces have intimidated me. But this one is as simple as throwing all the sauce ingredients together in a food processor or high speed blender and blending until smooth.

How to make this jerk chicken recipe in the slow cooker?

Just throw everything into a slow cooker or crock pot and let it cook for you. No mess, no fuss and a delicious home-cooked dinner!

What kind of meat can I use?

You can use chicken thighs or chicken breasts for this recipe. This recipe is designed for bone-in chicken thighs because of their cost effectiveness and flavor they add. If you are going to use chicken breasts be sure to adjust time accordingly.

What to serve with this instant pot jerk chicken?

I think fresh when I add sides to my dishes. Try adding a mint watermelon salad on the side, or some pickled veggies. You could also serve a fresh slaw and some rice or cauliflower rice.

How to store this instant pot jerk chicken?

After cooking store in fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days.

Do I need a slow cooker for this recipe?

You can use a slow cooker or crock pot for this recipe. Try making it a slow cooker shredded jerk chicken or serve the chicken whole.

It is designed to be fast and easy so you do not have to take the time to cook all night.

Can I use an instant pot?

Of course! If you are tight on time or a last minute cook then throw everything in the instant post and adjust cook time. For slow cooker to instant pot conversion times click here to get a simple instant pot cheat sheet. You will never have to guess or research an instant pot cook time again!

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Instant Pot Jerk Chicken is an Easy Weeknight Meal and Meal Prep.

*See FAQ’s and specific tips following recipe below. (so you don’t have to scroll for a million years to find the food 😉 ).

How do you make this Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken? 👇

Print Recipe

Jerk Chicken

A super easy slow cooker jerk chicken recipe madefast and easy. You can also make an instant pot jerk chicken following this recipe. This healthy jerk chicken can also be made as an instant potjerk chicken.

Prep Time10

Cook Time4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Instant Pot Jerk Chicken, Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken

Servings: 4

Calories: 317kcal

Equipment

Slow Cooker or Crock Pot

Ingredients

2 lb chicken thighs or chicken breasts

Jerk Sauce (Blend Together):

2 tbsp raw honey
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp lime juice juice of one lime
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp vinegar
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cayenne
1 tsp of each onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt
1/4 tsp of each cinnamon, paprika, ground ginger, cumin

Instructions

Add sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. (You may have to scrap sides once or twice).
Add chicken into slow cooker and pour sauce over chicken.
Cook on low 4-6 hours.
It's ready to serve, enjoy!

Freezer Directions:

Label Freezer bag with recipe name, cooking from frozen directions and expiration date (todays date plus three months).
Add sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. (You may have to scrap sides once or twice).
Add all ingredients to labeled gallon freezer bag.
Store in freezer for up to three months.

Cooking from Frozen Directions:

Thaw overnight in fridge or in the morning in some warm water (meal may not be 100% thawed but that is ok).
Add freezer bag contents into slow cooker.
Cook on low 5-6 hours. (May need an extra 30 minutes if completely frozen when placed in slow cooker).
It's ready to serve, enjoy!

Instant Pot Instructions:

Place chicken thighs in Instant Pot and pour sauce over chicken.
Cover pot with lid, seal and set to manual mode.
Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Pot may take a few minutes to get up to pressure.
Quick release pressure.
Remove jerk chicken thighs and serve with sauce in instant pot. Enjoy!

Notes

If desired you can use a 2 tbsp of a jerk seasoning instead of the spices listed in the ingredient list.
Use the juice of one lime, if it doesn't come out to exactly 2 tbsp that is ok.
You can sub out the water for broth.
If you want to shred the chicken, shred chicken and stir back into the sauce in instant pot then saute for 5 minutes to incorporate chicken and thicken the sauce a bit.

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Tag @My_FamilyDinner or #MyFamilyDinner

How freezer meals will change your life.

Makes homecooking Easy

Only spend one hour in the kitchen for a whole week of dinners. Day of, throw your freezer meal in the slow cooker or instant pot and enjoy dinner!

feel confident

Knowing you have a fool proof systen for something that is easy and works gives you confidence in the kitchen. So wether you're a seasoned chef or occational home cook the method of freezer cooking will work for you!

Eat Healthier

Because you're prepping the freezer meals with fresh foods you're eating healthier. Anytime you cook at home instead of eating out you get the benefits of healthier food.

Enjoy less stress

Have you ever felt the pressure of forgetting about dinner, or having to cook at the end of a long day?! No more, just grab something out of the freezer and you're good to go.

Frequently asked questions

I forgot to thaw my freezer meal, now what?

No problem! Just throw the freezer meal in your slow cooker and you’re all set. If it doesn’t fit thaw it for a few minutes in warm water. (You may need to add an extra 30 minutes cook time if completely frozen when cooking).

Is this an authentic jerk chicken recipe?

No this is not authentic because the spice has been fully omitted. There is not spice to this dish. It has been inspired by Jamaican seasonings and is a sweet savory sauce.

How do you make jerk chicken from scratch?

Follow the instructions below for an easy sloppy joe recipe. No browning of the meat required. Just dump all ingredients together in a slow cooker or crock pot and let dinner cook for you. Just break up the beef after cooking to avoid any unwelcome texture.

How many calories are in a serving?

A serving size assumes 1 chicken thigh at 317 kcal per serving.

Can I use this recipe in my instant pot?

Absolutely. This instant pot jerk chicken is amazing!

You may have to play around with cook times if you are using chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs. If you’re interested in an instant pot cheat sheet for cook times click here!

Is this jerk chicken shredded?

The chicken does not have to be shredded. But you can make this slow cooker shredded jerk chicken by shredded the chicken and stirring it back in with sauce before serving if desired.

If you are using this jerk chicken for nachos, pizza or tacos shredding the chicken before serving is preferred.

What is jerk sauce made of?

Lots and lots of seasoning with a tomato base! You can buy a pre-made jerk seasoning if you do not want to make your own but I prefer using my own organic spices in recipes.

Buying spices in bulk from whole foods keeps cost down and quality high.

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