Jerk seasoning is not always easy to find at the local grocery store so why not make it at home? Homemade seasonings are an amazing way to turn a delicious meal into the perfect meal by making it just the way you like it.
Homemade jerk chicken seasoning is so easy to make. There are a lot of spices to add but they are all amazing in their own right so I am sure you will make good use of them if you follow along with us.
I first fell in love with jerk seasoning after trying jerk chicken wings and it slowly grew into a love for this magnificent flavour.
This seasoning is intended to be used as a rub but you can also combine it with a jerk marinade. You can’t have too much jerk flavour after all.
Preparing Homemade Jerk Chicken Seasoning
Ingredients
Garlic powder: Garlic powder is dehydrated garlic ground to a powder. It’s sweeter than raw garlic, so it adds a hint of garlic flavour without sharpness.
Smoked paprika: Smoked paprika is made from chili peppers that are smoked before they are dried and ground. It has a very deep and bold flavour so be careful not to overdo it if you choose to deviate from the recipe.
Allspice: Allspice is a ground unripe berry that comes from a tropical plant called Pimenta diaoica. It is used in many cuisines including Mexican, Jamaican and middle eastern. It is a very strong, smoky and almost sweet flavour and should be used carefully as it can easily overpower a meal.
Onion powder: Onion powder is made from dehydrated onions which are then ground. White, yellow or red onions can be used to make onion powder. It is a very common spice that is used in many spice mixes.
Dried thyme: Made from fresh thyme, this herb has an amazing flavour that goes so well with most meats. It is part of the mint family and is a small bush, with branches that are covered in small leaves. These leaves are picked and dried to make dried thyme.
Rosemary: Made from fresh rosemary, this herb is potent with aroma and flavour. It is an evergreen plant with long leaves on a stiff stem. The leaves are picked and dried to make dried rosemary.
Cumin: Cumin is a seed from a plant that is part of the parsley family. Though the plant is native to Asia and the Mediterranean, the spice is used in cuisines all over the world. I would describe the flavour as pungent and earthy. It is definitely a unique taste.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg is a seed coming from an evergreen tree. The seed is used as a spice in food however be careful not to use too much for two reasons. One reason is that it’s a very overpowering flavour. The second is that in larger amounts it can be toxic due to its psychoactive effects.
Cayenne pepper: The cayenne pepper powder is made from hot chilis that are
dried and ground. It is optional here as it dictates the spice level of the seasoning. If you are combining with a jerk marinade, take into account that the marinade will also add spice.
Cloves: Cloves are essentially a dried flower. They are very potent in flavour and should be used sparingly. They add just a hint of flavour to this recipe and although they do complete the flavour profile it’s okay if you leave them out. Cloves are a spice that doesn’t get used too often, and when it is used it’s in small quantities. So, I don’t want you to feel like you have to buy a spice that you will rarely use.
How to Make Homemade Jerk Seasoning and Rub
Once you have all of the ingredients it’s really easy to make homemade jerk seasoning. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup.
Stir to make sure all the spices are evenly mixed.
How to Make Jerk Crusted Chicken
Coat the chicken in the homemade jerk seasoning and bake in the oven at 400°F for 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Try serving this jerk chicken with a side of rice and peas. Make it while the chicken is in the oven.
Jerk Seasoning Uses
Jerk seasoning is amazing on any cut of chicken. Other than drumsticks, try it on bone-in skin-on thighs or chicken wings.
Jerk seasoning is also amazing on seafood. Make jerk shrimp, salmon or any white fish to add a kick to your meal.
Storing Homemade Jerk Chicken Seasoning
Make a large batch of this recipe and have the seasoning ready whenever you need it. I usually make four times this recipe and keep it in a mason jar.
It will keep well in a sealed container for up to three months after which point it may start to lose some of its potency. Do a smell test and if it still smells delicious keep using it.
But of course, we all know it will never last that long anyway.
Serving Jerk Chicken
Though my favourite side dish to jerk chicken is rice and peas, potato wedges or sweet potato fries are always a strong second.
Add some chipotle mayo or garlic aioli as a dip and you have yourself a restaurant-worthy meal in less than 45 minutes.
Are you looking for other seasonings and marinades? Check out our other posts.
Let us know in the comments if you have any questions. And if you like this recipe be sure to leave us a five-star rating below.
Homemade Jerk Chicken Seasoning Recipe
Equipment
- Roasting pan with a wire rack or cookie sheet
- Baking mat or parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cloves optional
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 4-6 chicken drumsticks depending on size
- Cooking spray optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a small bowl combine all of the ingredients except chicken and cooking spray.2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp allspice, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp rosemary, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ¼ tsp cloves, ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Coat the chicken drumsticks in the seasoning. I do this either in a bowl or a Ziploc bag.4-6 chicken drumsticks
- Place the drumsticks on the wire rack of a roasting pan. You can spray them with cooking spray at this point if you choose to do so.Cooking spray
- Place in the oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and serve with your favourite sides.
