If you’re a fan of chicken recipes that bring a kick of spice and a burst of flavor, you’ll love this Jamaican fried chicken recipe. This dish is not your ordinary fried chicken. It’s marinated in a unique mixture of seasoning and then fried to a beautiful golden brown perfection. The result is a crispy fried chicken that’s juicy on the inside and packed with authentic Jamaican flavors. Let’s dive into the world of Jamaican cuisine and learn how to make this mouthwatering dish.
Understanding the Jamaican Fried Chicken Recipe
Jamaican fried chicken is a beloved dish not only in Jamaica but also in different parts of the United States and other countries worldwide. This chicken recipe is a great way to bring the taste of the Caribbean to your kitchen. Cooking it might take some time and effort, but the result is surely worth it.
Preparation: Clean Chicken
The first step in preparing this Jamaican fried chicken recipe is to clean the chicken. Whether you’re using chicken thighs, chicken wings, or any other pieces of chicken, it’s crucial to clean them properly. This is usually done by soaking the chicken in a mixture of vinegar and a couple of cups water.
Marinating the Chicken
Next up is marinating the chicken. The chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices, including jerk seasoning, curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, tsp salt, and a whole scotch bonnet pepper for that intense heat. The seasoned liquid is then poured over the lbs chicken in a large bowl and left to marinate for at least 10-20 minutes or overnight if possible, to allow the flavors to fully penetrate.
Coating the Chicken Pieces
Once the chicken has been marinated, the next step in this Jamaican fried chicken recipe is to coat the chicken pieces in a flour mixture. Combine flour, purpose seasoning, cayenne pepper, tsp paprika, and almond milk in a mixing bowl and mix until you get a smooth batter. Dip each piece of chicken into the batter, making sure it’s fully coated.
Setting the Coated Chicken Pieces Aside
After coating, place chicken pieces on a baking sheet or cookie sheets and let the chicken rest at room temperature. This step allows the coating to adhere better to the chicken, helping it to stay on during frying and making the chicken extra crispy.
Preparing the Frying Oil
While the chicken is resting, it’s time to prepare the hot oil. Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer or a large pan and heat it over medium heat. The oil needs to be hot enough for the chicken to fry properly but not too hot that it burns the coating.
Frying the Chicken
Now, it’s time to fry chicken. Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil. Depending on the size of the pieces, it might take about 10-20 minutes for the chicken to cook thoroughly. You’ll know it’s done when it turns a beautiful golden brown color and the juices run clear.
Draining the Chicken Pieces
Once the chicken is cooked, drain chicken pieces on absorbent paper or paper towels to remove excess oil. This step ensures that your Jamaican fried chicken is not overly greasy, but just right.
Taking Your Jamaican Fried Chicken to the Next Level
Want to take your Jamaican fried chicken recipe to the next level? Consider serving it with a homemade hot sauce or jerk sauce on the side. And don’t forget to pair it with a nice cold beer or a glass of refreshing lemonade. Trust me; you’ll be dreaming about this chicken recipe until the next time you cook it.
Why Try This Jamaican Fried Chicken Recipe
So there you have it, a homemade Jamaican fried chicken recipe that’s sure to impress. Not only is this a fun and delicious dish to make, but it also offers a unique culinary experience. It’s a taste of Jamaican food right in the comfort of your own home. Plus, it’s perfect for gatherings or when you simply want to spice up your regular chicken dinner. So why not give it a try?
As you can see, making Jamaican fried chicken is not as complex as it may seem. With a little patience and the right ingredients, you can successfully bring the taste of Jamaica to your table. Happy cooking!
Jamaican Style Fried Chicken Recipe
This recipe brings the taste of the Caribbean right to your home with a delicious Jamaican Style Fried Chicken. Marinated in a mix of flavorful spices and fried to golden perfection, this chicken is sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
- 2 eggs
marinade
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 scotch bonnet peppers, deseeded and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons of fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- Juice of one lime
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken pieces and mix until they are well-coated. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- After marinating, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. This should take about 15-20 minutes.
- While the chicken is warming up, heat the vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. In another bowl, place the flour.
- Take each piece of chicken, dip it in the beaten egg, then roll it in the flour until it is fully coated.
- Carefully place the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil. Fry them until they are golden brown and crispy. This should take about 10-15 minutes per side, depending on the size of the pieces.
- Once fried, remove the chicken pieces from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- Serve your Jamaican fried chicken hot with a side of coleslaw, fried plantains, or rice and peas.
Notes
Always be careful when handling Scotch bonnet peppers as they are very spicy. Wear gloves if necessary and avoid touching your eyes or face. If you can't handle the heat, you can substitute them with a milder pepper or reduce the quantity.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 600Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 200mgSodium: 1400mgCarbohydrates: 20gNet Carbohydrates: 18gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 50g