Jerk Chicken Wings

My kids love when I grill or bake chicken wings. They cook with amazing texture while staying juicy in the center. The jerk seasoning has the perfect amount of spicy and is bursting with flavor.

If you love this grilled chicken wings, then you must try Hot Honey Chicken Wings, Grilled Chicken Wings and Grilled Buffalo Chicken Wings.

Why We Love Thee Chicken Wings

The jerk seasoning marinade that we used is full of simple spices including warm flavors such as a teaspoons of nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ground allspice. We even love to add in a tablespoons of soy sauce and lime juice for even more flavor. It gives any cut of meat the perfect kick of spice but could easily be changed to what you prefer.

Chicken wings are always on the menu anytime we have a game day party or my kids have friends over. They are easy to bake in the oven on a baking sheet or cook on the grill.

Ingredients

• Chicken Wings – Use any type of chicken
• Dried Thyme – You can also use Fresh Thyme
• Ground Cinnamon – Adds warm flavors to the seasoning
• Green Onions – Chop into small pieces
• Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Cloves Garlic or you can use garlic powder
• Habanero Peppers – Seeds removed for less heat – You can also use Scotch Bonnet Peppers
• Brown Sugar – Add a hint of sweetness

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Seasoning Variations

Feel free to change the seasoning to what you prefer. Try these different spices for a delicious variations.

• Onion Powder
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Cayenne Pepper
• Fresh Ginger

How to Make Jerk Chicken Wings

Step 1 – In a food processor, combine all the marinade ingredients including the vegetable oil. Process until smooth. Reserve approximately ¼ cup of the marinade.  

Step 2 – Place the seasoned wings in a large resealable plastic bag, large bowl or container covered in plastic wrap, including salt and black pepper. Pour the remaining jerk marinade over the wings, seal, and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.

Step 3 – When ready to cook, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the wings from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the wings on the grill and cook for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 4 – Brush the wings with the reserved jerk marinade during the last few minutes. Remove the wings from the grill and serve with lime wedges and chopped green onions, if desired. Enjoy! 

Expert Tips

• Spicy Flavor – If you prefer a milder heat, remove the seeds and inner membranes from the habanero peppers before blending. You can also use fewer peppers or substitute with milder chilies for a less spicy version.
• Marinating Chicken in Jerk Sauce – For the best flavor, let the wings marinate for the full 24 hours. The extra time lets all those spices and flavors really soak into the meat, making the jerk flavor even better.
• Grilling Chicken Wings – When you grill the chicken wings, cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken wings. We recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken wings are fully cooked.
• Marinade – Make sure to discard any marinade that was used to marinade the chicken.

Serving Suggetions

These Jamaican Jerk chicken wings recipe are delicious served with grilled side dish recipes. We love to serve with Grilled French Fries, Blackstone Loaded Potato Chips, and Grilled Vegetables in Foil. It is even delicious served with Blackstone Chicken Fried Rice Recipe with peas.

We even serve with a vegetable tray with ranch dressing and blue cheese dressing. Also check out What to Serve with Chicken Wings for even more ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions