Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Recipes

As it turns out, Jerk seasoning relies on two key elements, allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers. Other ingredients in Jerk seasoning may include garlic cloves, cinnamon, scallions, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, brown sugar, ginger, and salt. These spice mixes consist of ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen and the recipes are simple enough to throw together in minutes.

With these Air Fryer Caribbean Jerk Chicken recipes, you should carefully take into account the heat factor, making sure not to cancel out the flavors of the seasoning and spices.

Each bite of these Caribbean Jerk Chicken is juicy, luscious, and a testimony to the aromatic spices, flair, and exotic flavors of the Caribbean. As usual, the air fryer locks in the juiciness and produces excellent chicken each time.

And your chicken will be cooked to perfection.

Air Fryer Caribbean Spiced Chicken by Noble Pig

Ingredients

• 3 lbs of boneless and skinless chicken thigh fillets
• Coarse ground black pepper
• salt
• 1 tbsp of ground coriander seed
• 1 tbsp of ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp of cayenne pepper
• 1-1/2 tsp of ground ginger
• 1-1/2 tsp of ground nutmeg
• 3 tbsp of melted coconut oil

Preparation

1. Take the chicken out of its packaging then pat it dry. Place it on a large baking sheet, covered with paper towels, to soak up any remaining liquid. 
2. Season with salt and pepper on both sides and let it sit for 30 minutes. That way, it is not so cold when going into the air fryer. 
3. In a small bowl, combine the coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, ginger, and nutmeg. Rub the spice mixture on each piece of chicken and brush each side with coconut oil.
4. Place four pieces of the chicken into the air fryer basket without overlapping. 
5. Air fry at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Take out the chicken from the basket and place it in an oven-safe dish, covering tightly with foil. 
6. Keep warm in the oven until all the chicken is done. Repeat the air frying instructions to the rest of the chicken. 

Notes

• Make sure that the chicken thighs are 3-4 oz each in size. Otherwise, you will want to slice them in half. 
• Chicken thighs stay completely juicy and tasty in the air fryer. If you choose to use chicken breasts for this recipe, make sure you are using thin-sliced fillets. Otherwise, it will take too long for each part to cook. Chicken breasts cooked in the air fryer tend to be a little dry. 
• The beginning temperature of the chicken will produce a difference in cooking time. Make sure that the juices are running clear before transferring the chicken out of the air fryer. If the chicken requires a couple more minutes, just continue to air fry until it is done. This chicken reheats perfectly as leftovers.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings – Air Fryer Recipe by For Frying Out Loud

These Jamaican jerk chicken wings are exploding with an authentic Caribbean flavor and they’re extremely easy to make in an air fryer!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs of chicken wings
• 4 tablespoons of Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt

Preparation

1. In a large mixing bowl, place the chicken wings, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and jerk seasoning. Make sure the chicken wings are well-coated, and, then store it inside the fridge for at least an hour.
2. Place the marinated wings in an air fryer basket in a single layer. A single layer helps to make sure that the wings are evenly cooked and don’t become soggy. You may also have to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
3. Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F then set the timer to 20 minutes. Flip half-way through.
4. After the timer goes off, or when the meat’s internal temperature reaches at least 165°F, carefully remove the wings from the air fryer basket and allow them to cool to a moderate level before serving.

Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings by Food Fidelity

Ingredients

• 1 lb of Chicken Drummettes
• 1 ½ tbsp of Dry Jerk Seasoning
• 1 tbsp of Vodka
• 1 tbsp of olive oil

Preparation

1. Place the chicken wings in a large mixing bowl and toss them with olive oil, vodka, and half of the jerk seasoning. Store in the fridge for 1-4 hours.
2. Remove from the fridge and allow it to reach room temperature. While the wings sit, pre-heat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Season the chicken wings again with half of the remaining seasoning. Cook the wings for 13 minutes then flip it on the other side and cook it for another 13 minutes. 
4. Take it out from the air fryer then toss it with the remaining dry spice mix before seasoning.

Notes

• If you’re a drummettes-only person, feel free to use flats if that’s your preference.
• The vodka is just optional. You can use it to add a bit more crispiness. Other liquors work just fine as well, but vodka is pretty much tasteless.
• Most spice shops sell premade jerk seasoning that you can also find online. Feel free to use one if it’s available to you and you like it. Otherwise, make this version.
• This recipe is so good that it won’t even last that long, but if you happen to have any leftovers, they can be easily reheated in the oven.
• These are flourless wings. But if you prefer crunchier traditional flour-coated wings, you can do so with these crispy air fryer wings.
• With the dry seasoning mix, there’s no need for a sauce. But if you must, these jerk chicken wings match well with this jerk BBQ sauce or even a green zhug sauce.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings(Air Fryer + Oven Baked) by Aberdeen’s Kitchen

Ingredients

• 2 ½ – 3 lbs of chicken wings
• 1 ½ teaspoon of ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 2 crumbled bay leaves
• 3 thinly sliced green onions, add some more for garnish
• 2 minced scotch bonnet peppers, stems, and seeds removed
• 4 garlic cloves
• ⅓ cup of lime juice
• ½ cup of dark soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil + extra for grilling
• Lime slices for garnish

Air Fryer Method

1. Make the marinade: Add all the ingredients, except the chicken and garnishes, into a food processor or blender. Blend it until it is smooth.
2. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken wings in a large ziplock bag. Reserve ½ cup of the marinade and pour the rest over the chicken. Seal the bag, then shake it to coat. Store the marinate in the fridge for at least 3 hours up to overnight.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 375˚F. Lubricate the air fryer basket with a non-stick spray then place a rimmed baking sheet with a foil to catch the drippings (less mess!)
4. Arrange the marinated chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
5. Place the basket and prepared tray in an air fryer. Bake the chicken wings for 25 minutes, flipping over halfway through.
6. Preheat the air fryer up to 425˚F. Brush the chicken with the reserved marinade then cook it for another 6-8 minutes until it turns brown and crispy. Remove it from the heat afterwards.
7. Transfer the chicken wings to a plate and garnish them with green onion and lime slices.

Oven-Baked Method

1. Prepare the marinade: Place all ingredients, except the chicken and garnishes, in a food processor or blender. Blend them until they become smooth.
2. Marinate the chicken: Put the chicken wings in a large ziplock bag. Reserve ½ cup of the marinade and pour the rest over the chicken. Seal the bag, then shake it to coat. Store in the fridge for at least 3 hours up to overnight.
3. Preheat the oven to 450˚F. Arrange a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the marinated chicken wings in a single layer.
4. Bake the chicken wings for 35 minutes, flipping it over halfway through.
5. Brush the chicken with the reserved marinade then cook it for another 10-15 minutes until it turns brown and crispy. 
6. Take it out from the heat. Transfer the chicken wings to a plate and garnish them with green onion and lime slices.

Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Thighs by Cook Smart

Rich with a hint of sweetness, these Creole-inspired chicken thighs use jerk or Cajun seasoning to produce a quick and delightful meal. Just 16 minutes of cooking in the air fryer yield’s chicken thighs that are crispy and yummy!

Ingredients

• 2 chopped cloves of garlic
• 1tsp of grated ginger, optional
• 1 thinly sliced jalapenos, remove seeds if you want less heat
• ¼ diced medium red onions
• 2Tbsp of Jerk or Cajun seasoning
• 1tsp of brown sugar
• ½ tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1Tbsp of low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp + 2 tsp of red wine vinegar 
• 1 Tbsp of cooking oil
• 1lb of boneless and skinless chicken thighs
• ½ lime, sliced into wedges
• 1½ cups of tomatoes, cherry, or grape
• 12 oz of diced cucumbers
• 1Tbsp of chopped cilantro
• 1 can of kidney beans
• ¾ cups of light coconut milk
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup of uncooked long-grain rice
• 1¼ cup of stock, any type
• ¼ tsp of salt
• 2 tsp of olive oil

Preparation

1. Combine the garlic and ginger, and store the jalapenos and onions in their containers (can be prepared up to 5 days ahead).
2. Marinate the chicken: Combine the jalapenos, soy sauce, Jerk or Cajun seasoning, cinnamon, brown sugar, the first part of red wine vinegar, and cooking oil. Add in the chicken to the marinade then flip on the other side to coat.
3. Tenderize the chicken with a fork. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days (can be prepared 1 day ahead).
4. Slice the lime into wedges.
5. Prepare as directed: Tomatoes, cucumbers, cilantro
6. Drain and rinse the beans.
7. Preheat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pour in the coconut milk, then add the garlic, ginger, and bay leaves.
8. Bring it to a simmer and then add the rice, stock, and salt. Cover it with a lid and bring it to a boil and then let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid.
9. While the rice is cooking, preheat the air fryer to 380F. It should take about 5 minutes for the air fryer to heat up.
10. Remove the chicken from the marinade and gently shake off any excess. Transfer it to the air fryer basket and line in a single layer with a little amount of space between the thighs. This will allow for the air to circulate.
11. Cook the chicken, turning it halfway through, until it turns brown on the outside and cooked through or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F (about 16 to 21 minutes). 
12. Give the tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and cilantro a nice toss with the second part of red wine vinegar and olive oil.
13. Remove and discard bay leaves from the rice. Fold in the beans.
14. Serve the chicken instantly with lime wedges, and enjoy it with rice and beans and salsa on the side.

Air Fryer Rubbed Jerk Chicken Thighs by Fork to Spoon

This is a surprisingly easy and budget-friendly recipe since chicken thighs are normally on sale. They are also really suitable in the air fryer since they retain their moisture.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs (either boneless, skinless, or not)
• Jerk Seasoning Mix

Preparation

1. Start by separating the fat from the chicken thighs. Skip this step if you’re using a skinless chicken.
2. Rub the spice all over the chicken. Put the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket or on the air fryer tray.
3. Set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, spray the chicken with an ample mist of olive oil and air fry it for another 5 minutes. Make sure that you check the internal temperature of the chicken before taking them out. If they need more time, add a couple of minutes. Remember: Every air fryer is different!
4. Transfer it on a plate, serve and enjoy!

Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings by Dairy Free for Baby

Spice things up with this air fryer jerk chicken wings! All you need are five ingredients and 30 minutes of your time.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs of chicken wings (broken down according to preference)
• 1 ½ tsp of baking powder
• ⅛ tsp of salt
• 2 tbsp of jerk paste
• ½ tbsp of avocado oil (or olive oil)

Preparation

1. Place the chicken wings, baking powder, salt, jerk paste, and avocado oil in a ziplock bag. Give it a good shake to ensure that the wings are well-coated.
2. Put the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you will likely be required to work in two batches). Air fry the chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. 
3. Keep on cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Notes

• Each jerk paste has different levels of heat. For this, you can use 2 tablespoons of Buscha Browne’s paste for a manageable heat. Adjust it depending on your comfort level with heat. The Walkerswood is a bit spicier if you’re deciding to use that.

Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Kebabs by Hey Keto Mama

Air fryer kebabs are rich and packed with flavor. The edges turn dark brown and caramelized, giving the vegetables a sweeter roasted taste. You can also forgo the skewers and toss the cooked ingredients into a salad or serve it over cauliflower rice.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1″ cubes
• 2 tablespoons of jerk seasoning
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1″ per pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Preparation

1. Place the chicken in a medium bowl and cover it with jerk seasoning and coconut oil on all sides.
2. Using eight 6-inch skewers, build the kebabs by alternating the chicken, pepper, and onion pieces. About three repetitions per skewer.
3. Sprinkle some salt over the skewers and place into an air fryer basket. 
4. Adjust the temperature to 370 F and set the timer for 14 minutes, turning the skewers halfway through the cooking. 
5. The chicken will reach an internal temperature of at least 165 F when done. Best served warm.

Air-Fried Honey Garlic Jerk Chicken Wings by Grand Baby-Cakes

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lb of party chicken wings
• salt and pepper to taste
• 8 tsp of jerk seasoning up to 9 tsp but this is really up to your taste
• 2 tsp of baking powder
• Cooking spray
• 2 tbsp of salted butter
• 5 minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1 1/2 tsp of tamari
• 1/4 tsp of gluten-free hot sauce
• 1/4 tsp of ground ginger or freshly grated ginger if desired
• 1/8 tsp of smoked paprika

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, pat dry the chicken wings with a paper towel then season them with salt, pepper, jerk seasoning, and baking powder. Toss them well until the ingredients are fully combined.
2. Set the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees. Spray the rack using a cooking oil spray and arrange the chicken wings evenly on the rack. Make sure that you don’t overcrowd the wings so they will cook evenly.
3. Allow the wings to cook for 15-17 minutes, flipping halfway through.
4. As the chicken cooks, add the butter and minced garlic to a pot over medium heat and cook it until the butter melts and the garlic becomes fragrant. 
5. Stir in the honey, tamari, hot sauce, ginger, and paprika, and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes. Remove it from the heat.
6. Once the wings are done cooking and are completely crispy, add them to the sauce and coat them evenly. You can also brush the sauce then cook in the air fryer again for 8 minutes before serving.

The Best Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings by Chef and Steward

This air fryer jerk chicken wings only takes 15-20 minutes of total cooking time and is perfect for tailgating, movie nights or game nights, or even as a main course.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs or 1kg of chicken wings
• 2 teaspoons of Maggi All Purpose Seasoning
• 2 teaspoons of Eaton’s Jamaican Jerk Seasoning (Hot)
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

Preparation

1. Put some of the jerk seasoning, the chicken wings, Maggi All-Purpose Seasoning, and salt into a ziplock bag. Close and let it marinate for 2 hours on the countertop or overnight inside the fridge.
2. Line an air fryer basket with parchment paper and then place the marinated chicken.
3. Add 1/2 cup of water to the marinade mixture and pour at the bottom of the cooking pan (not directly on the chicken).
4. Put the air fryer basket inside the cooking pan. Set the pressure cooker on SEAL position for 6 minutes and affix the pressure cooker lid, then press START.
5. Once done, release the pressure quickly by turning it to the VENT position.
6. Remove the pressure cooker lid, then replace it with an Air Crisp lid, then change the function to Air Crisp On.
7. Serve immediately once done.

Final Thoughts

Classic Creole cuisine is spicy and savory.

With its savory goodness that will surely keep you reaching for seconds, our top-rated Chicken recipes take influence from Creole traditions. That’s because it carries in the flavor while being harmonious with all kinds of cooking methods.

You can do these jerk chicken recipes in the oven, throw them on the grill, cook them on the stovetop, or crisp them up in the air fryer!

Since red beans and rice is one of the most popular dishes found in Jamaica, you can also serve your jerk chicken with an exciting twist like sweet and savory coconut rice and beans! Just add a tomato-cucumber salsa on the side, and you’ve got yourself a flawlessly balanced meal.

Whether you prefer to use jerk or Cajun seasoning on your meat, this recipe’s fresh flavors of cucumbers, tomatoes, and limes will cool down the kick in just the right way.

Do you want the perfect jerk chicken experience?

Below are some essential items that you should use to cook the perfect jerk chicken.

Smoker ovens

Get the smokey flavour in your jerk chicken.

Jerk chicken recipe books

Learn from others that have perfected the jerk chicken cooking technique.

Bbq turning tongs

Make sure your food is well cooked by turning the meat properly with turning tongs.

BBQ gloves

Keep save with BBQ gloves, which will allow you to cook the meat properly.

BBQ Woods and Charcoal.

Vary the smokey flavour by using different BBQ woods and charcoal.

Meat thermometer

Check the temperature of your meats while cooking.

BBQ sets

Get a complete BBQ set so that you are prepared to BBQ the best jerk chicken.