Spice up your mealtime with Instant Pot jerk chicken! Effortlessly infused with bold Caribbean flavors, this quick and tender dish promises a zesty journey for your taste buds.
Related Jerk Flavored Recipe Post:
Embark on a culinary escapade inspired by the rhythmic beats of Adi Oasis' "Top Down" as we delve into the world of Instant Pot Jerk Chicken. Picture this: succulent chicken bathing in the vibrant melody of jerk seasoning, mirroring the energetic cadence of the music.
The Instant Pot becomes our culinary DJ, remixing the flavors to perfection. With every pressurized moment, anticipation builds like the crescendo of a song, preparing our taste buds for the symphony of Caribbean spices.
So, let's drop the lid, turn up the heat, and let the flavors dance in harmony, creating an edible melody that promises to elevate both our senses and our spirits.
Instant Pot Jerk Chicken- Flavorful and fragrant bone-in chicken thighs cooked in homemade jerk marinade via instant pot for an easy weeknight main dish.
Authentic jerk is grilled but requires time and babysitting. This jerk sauce gives the chicken depths of flavor and complexity to mimic those Caribbean vibes.
Admittedly I’m a jerk snob, so it took me more than a minute to try jerk chicken in an instant pot. First I had to accept the fact that even the grilled versions I typically make aren’t truly authentic since I’m not using pimento wood like they do on the island. Even still if it weren't for wrist surgery I wouldn't be looking at alternative, some times creative ways to enjoy my favorite things.
So there it is - eyes wide open, no illusions, but still damn good. Now I can feel good all day like I'm rolling through Ocho Rios in a convertible with the top down.
Authentic jerk is grilled but requires time and babysitting. This jerk sauce gives the chicken depths of flavor and complexity to mimic those Caribbean vibes.
Admittedly I’m a jerk snob, so it took me more than a minute to try jerk chicken in an instant pot. First I had to accept the fact that even the grilled versions I typically make aren’t truly authentic since I’m not using pimento wood like they do on the island. Even still if it weren't for wrist surgery I wouldn't be looking at alternative, some times creative ways to enjoy my favorite things.
So there it is - eyes wide open, no illusions, but still damn good. Now I can feel good all day like I'm rolling through Ocho Rios in a convertible with the top down.
Beats and Eats (music to pair with instant pot jerk chicken)
Adi Oasis' song "Top Down" forms the perfect culinary soundtrack for Instant Pot Jerk Chicken, creating an experience that resonates with both music and flavor. The upbeat tempo and energetic vibes of the song seamlessly align with the dynamic process of preparing the dish in the Instant Pot.
The pulsating rhythm mirrors the anticipation building as the jerk seasoning melds with the chicken, creating a crescendo of flavors. Just as "Top Down" exudes an infectious energy, Instant Pot Jerk Chicken becomes a culinary dance where the sizzling spices and aromatic herbs choreograph a sensory symphony.
The lyrics' carefree spirit parallels the joyous act of cooking, turning it into a vibrant celebration. So, as the beats of "Top Down" serenade the kitchen, they complement the lively dance of spices, infusing the dish with an extra layer of excitement and rhythm. In this culinary fusion, "Top Down" becomes the culinary anthem, transforming the act of cooking into a flavorful and rhythmic experience that leaves us craving both the music and the meal.
jerk chicken ingredients
Jerk chicken is strictly Chicken + Jerk Marinade. It’s as simple as that. The marinade requires a few ingredients, but a blender or food processor does all the work. All the marinade ingredients are below; just add skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs vs. skinless chicken thighs.
This recipe calls for a wet jerk paste vs a dry jerk seasoning spice mix. The latter works great with pan-fried jerk chicken thighs.
Ingredients For Homemade Jerk Marinade
- Allspice Berries (ground allspice can be substituted).
- Nutmeg
- Fresh Thyme Leaves
- Soy Sauce
- Lime Juice
- Hot Pepper preferably Scotch Bonnet Peppers (habanero pepper make for a good substitute)
- Brown Sugar
- Green Onion
how to make jerk chicken in an instant pot (step by step)
Instant Pot cooking is really simple. However, it's important to properly brown the chicken for both flavor and texture. Read my article on how to properly brown chicken in an instant pot without the skin sticking. It details why browning is important and provides simple rules to follow for perfectly browned meat.
step 1: marinate the chicken
Step 2: Brown the chicken
Step 3: Add the marinade
step 4: pressure cooking
Pressure cook on manual settings for 10 minutes then perform a quick release. As an optional step, you can broil the chicken skin side up for 1 minute to get somewhat of a crispier skin.
Serving Suggestions
Serve jerk chicken thighs with any of the following sides:
expert tips for cooking jerk chicken in instant pot
- Wear latex glove when handling the peppers as they are FIRE! You don’t want to touch anything parts of your body with scotch bonnet pepper juice on your fingers no matter how much
- Pat dry the chicken before sautéing then brown them well for more flavor and better texture
- Browning the chicken is a key step. Don't skip!
- Before cooking the chicken, dilute the marinade with stock or water. Thick sauces like jerk, tomato, etc. tend to result in "Burn" warning on the Instant Pot which will cause the Instant Pot to shut down.
- Reduce the sauce via saute function and serve with the chicken
- Finish the cooked thighs on the grill or under the broiler for cooked jerk chicken with more caramelization and crispier skin
- Save some of the marinade and use in other recipes like roasted onion steaks.
- Make extra thighs and use leftovers to create shredded jerk chicken to go in tacos or on top of a salad
Instant Pot Jerk Chicken Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I Use Quick Release or Natural Release?
For this recipe use quick release. It saves time and specific to chicken recipes these are moist enough; a prolonged release could moisten these perhaps too much swelling towards mushy.
Are these chicken thighs spicy?
They can be as spicy as you want them to be. You can dial up the heat or dial it down by controlling the amount of seeds from the scotch bonnet peppers you use.
What is a good alternative to Jamaican scotch bonnet peppers?
If you can’t find scotch bonnet, just use habanero peppers which you can find in any mainstream grocery store.
For similar recipes you might like try these:
Pan-Roasted Jerk Chicken Thighs
Jerk Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Other Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
Instant Pot Collard Greens with Smoked Brisket
Instant Pot Creole Cabbage with Andouille Sausage
Instant Pot Creole Green Beans
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Make This Recipe
As the final notes of Adi Oasis' "Top Down" linger in the air, our culinary journey with Instant Pot Jerk Chicken reaches its flavorful climax. The vibrant beats of the song, echoing in the background, harmonize with the tantalizing aroma of Caribbean spices, creating a delicious dance of flavors.
Inspired by the carefree spirit of "Top Down," our Instant Pot becomes a culinary maestro, orchestrating a dish that not only satisfies the appetite but also uplifts the soul.
If you make this quick and delicious instant pot jerk chicken recipe or any other from the site, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.
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Equipment
- instant pot
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken Thighs skin-on, bone-in
- 2 Cups Jerk Marinade
- ¼ cup chicken stock
Instructions
- Wash and dry chicken thighs
- Cut 2-3 slits into the chicken (skin side)
- Marinate the chicken overnight massaging the marinade in well
- Remove the chicken from refrigerator. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels then let come to room temperature.
- Pre-heat Instant Pot using “Saute” settings on highest level “More”
- Sauté skin side down on hot for 4 ½ minutes
- Flip cook for another 2 minutes. Cancel the Saute. Remove chicken and set aside
- Add reserved marinade plus chicken stock to the pot, mix well deglazing the pan as you go.
- Add chicken back and cook 10 minutes then quick release
- Broil optional 1 ½ minutes
Notes
- Wear latex glove when handling the peppers as they are FIRE! You don’t want to touch anything parts of your body with scotch bonnet pepper juice on your fingers no matter how much
- Pat dry the chicken before sautéing then brown them well for more flavor and better texture
- Browning the chicken is a key step. Don’t skip!
- Before cooking the chicken, dilute the marinade with stock or water. Thick sauces like jerk, tomato, etc. tend to result in “Burn” warning on the Instant Pot which will cause the Instant Pot to shut down.
- Reduce the sauce via saute function and serve with the chicken
- Finish the cooked thighs on the grill or under the broiler for more caramelization and crispier skin
Jessica
Wednesday 5th of August 2020
I've been browsing your site and all the recipes look delicious! I had one question that I haven't been able to find or maybe I overlooked it but what size of instant pot do you use? Thanks! I hope to try my hand at some of your recipes very soon!
Marwin Brown
Wednesday 5th of August 2020
Hi and thank you for your compliment. My Instant Pot is a 6 quart Instant Pot Duo.