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Home » Recipes » Main Dish Recipes

Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

Published: Jul 20, 2019 · Modified: Jul 3, 2021 by Colleen 46 Comments

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Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks, the Jamaican classic, are easy to make at home and you can control the heat levels. However, at least some heat is necessary because otherwise, it just wouldn't be Jerk.

Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

What is Jerk?

Jerk is a Jamaican barbecue, and sometimes called Jamaica's national dish. The word "Jerk" is both a dish and a cooking method. It refers to meat, usually chicken, marinated in lime, spices and hot peppers, then cooked on a barbecue grill or fire pit. In Jamaica, jerk chicken, or pork, is everywhere from roadside stands to the finest restaurants from one end of the island to the other.

Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

If you can't take the heat......

Then you're looking at the wrong recipe. The defining characteristic of Jamaican jerk is the smoky heat, largely due to the addition of Scotch bonnet chiles. The Scotch Bonnet is up there at the top of the Scoville scale, which is a measurement of heat in peppers. A Scotch bonnet chile measures between 100,000 and 350,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units). That's pretty hot when you consider that the jalapeno measures between 1,000 and 10,000 SHU.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Drumsticks
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

This Jerk Chicken Recipe is "Mild"

I used only one Scotch bonnet chile in this recipe, so while it definitely packs some heat, it's still not overly hot. Some Jamaican recipes that I have seen contain many more peppers, and if you're still reading, you aren't spice adverse, so feel free to use more. Although this was delicious, the next time I make it, I'll use two peppers. However, if you aren't sure, I would advise sticking to just the one.

Grilled Jerk Chicken

How to Cook Jerk Chicken

This is a grilled jerk chicken recipe, so obviously, it's cooked over a grill. Although you can roast it in the oven, grilling is best for the most authentic flavour, and those lovely char marks. Any chicken pieces will work, but I like to use drumsticks because they stay moist and juicy when grilled. For more delicious grilled chicken recipes, try Grilled Harissa Chicken Drumsticks, Grilled Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breasts, or Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs

Grilled Jerk Chicken

What to serve with Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

You can serve a simple, cooling salad with this chicken, or you can make the whole meal Jamaican, and serve it with Coconut Red Beans & Rice like I did here. Plenty of lime wedges and a frosty beverage, along with napkins are also requirements.

A pan of grilled chicken drumsticks

Love Jerk? Try this Jerk Chicken Salad, too! And be sure to try my easy Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Blend on salmon, pork tenderloin, shrimp, corn on the cob, or roasted veggies.

 

Recipe

Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

Drumsticks are marinated in a mixture of spices, lime juice, and chiles, then grilled for a deliciously spicy, easy meal.
4.97 from 28 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Jamaican
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Marinating time: 8 hours hours
Total Time: 8 hours hours 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 333kcal
Author: Colleen Milne

Equipment

  • Grill
  • Food Processor

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 Scotch bonnet chile
  • 2 garlic cloves chopped
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 lime juice of
  • 1 2" piece fresh ginger peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon allspice
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 12 chicken drumsticks

Instructions

  • Put all ingredients except the chicken in a food processor and process until smooth.
  • Put the chicken into a re-sealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over it.
  • Seal the bag and massage it to make sure all of the chicken is covered. Refrigerate overnight or 6-8 hours
  • Heat barbecue grill to high and spray with cooking spray
  • Remove drumsticks from marinade and transfer to a platter. Discard marinade.
  • Place chicken drumsticks on the grill and allow to sear, about 2 minutes per side.
  • Turn grill heat to low, close the lid and grill the chicken, turning occasionally, until internal temperature at the thickest part of the drumstick reads 170°, about 40 minutes. Serve hot, with lime wedges.

Notes

Use care when handling a hot chile like the Scotch Bonnet. Wear gloves and avoid touching your face. 
Because you are using a food processor for this recipe, you can simply remove the stem and put the whole chile pepper in without chopping.
If you are unable to find a Scotch bonnet chile, you can substitute a Habanero.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 1630mg | Potassium: 477mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 9.8mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2.4mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheFoodBlog or tag #thefoodblog!

A plate of food on a table, with chicken and rice

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  1. Terri

    August 11, 2019 at 11:09 am

    I love heat so these are definitely in my Bbq menu plan. And that coconut red beans and rice sounds like the perfect pairing😋

    Reply
    • Colleen

      August 11, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      Enjoy, Terri! These are so good!

      Reply
  2. Leanne @ Crumb Top Baking

    August 09, 2019 at 9:49 am

    I love some heat, so I think I can handle the jerk spice! And love the char marks from the grilling! It's been a few weeks since we've grilled some chicken (I've been on a turkey burger and shrimp kick), but these drummies are making me crave some chicken for dinner tonight! Happy Friday Colleen!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      August 11, 2019 at 1:21 pm

      Thanks Leanne, I love using drums for the grill, they turn out so good. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Elaine

    August 08, 2019 at 2:59 pm

    Love these! Bring on the heat. I also like your suggestions for what to serve it with, especially the frosty beverage. Our mouths need cooling after a delicious dish like this one!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      August 11, 2019 at 1:20 pm

      Hi Elaine, yes bring on the heat!

      Reply
  4. Lisa

    August 08, 2019 at 9:54 am

    These look so good, Colleen! And I bet they'd be really tasty cold, too!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      August 11, 2019 at 1:17 pm

      Thanks Lisa! I can attest that they are still yummy when cold. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lathiya

    August 07, 2019 at 1:53 pm

    The grilled chicken drumsticks look lip-smacking. I can imagine my kids devouring it licking their fingers. will try.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      August 11, 2019 at 1:16 pm

      Hi Lathiya, let me know how they turn out for you!

      Reply
  6. Joss

    August 06, 2019 at 1:38 pm

    I love the heat from the jerk spice in this recipe, the drumsticks turn out great on the bbq!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      August 06, 2019 at 2:03 pm

      Hi Joss, if you love the heat from Jerk spices, these drums are perfect for you!

      Reply
  7. Ramona

    July 31, 2019 at 6:41 am

    I have said to many times before I will be making a nice jerk chicken on BBQ but never got to. I am saving this recipe now and cannot wait to make these drumsticks next BBQ - they look soooo good!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      July 31, 2019 at 8:37 pm

      Hi Ramona! You are going to love this Jerk chicken. It's seriously so delicious!

      Reply
  8. Jacqueline Debono

    July 29, 2019 at 11:51 am

    I have never tried Jerk seasoning but it sounds great. I'm definitely a spicy food fan so this would be right up my street! Going to pin for later!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      July 29, 2019 at 6:59 pm

      Hi Jacqueline! If you are a spicy food fan, I know that you will love jerk! Enjoy 🙂

      Reply
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