Smoky flavors mingle with a bit of spice to make irresistible keto jerk chicken. It’s a bold recipe that will make you crave chicken.
What Is Jerk Chicken
Jerk chicken is a method of cooking that originated in the Caribbean, but it’s mostly known as coming from Jamaica. Traditionally, jerk chicken is rubbed with a combination of spices and then cooked slowly over a smoky fire.
It’s usually pretty spicy too.
Why is it called jerk chicken? Because the original jerk chicken used to resemble dried strips of meat that today we’d call jerky.
The recipe has changed over the years and doesn’t look or taste like jerky anymore. Now, it’s tender chicken with smoky and spicy flavors.
Keto Jerk Chicken
I didn’t have to change the traditional Jamaican jerk chicken recipe very much to make it keto-friendly. The original recipe doesn’t contain any breading or sugar, so it’s already naturally low in carbs.
In fact, this might become one of your favorite ways to cook chicken drumsticks! If you don’t like chicken drumsticks, make this with thighs or even bone-in chicken breasts.
You can even use this same spice combination to make jerk pork chops! The cooking times might vary a bit, but it will come out tasting incredible.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken
I added a few teaspoons of sugar-free honey to round out the bold and spicy flavors from the ginger, serrano peppers, and all spice. I’ve seen recipes that leave out the sugar-free honey.
If you don’t mind really powerfully-flavored chicken, then make it without the honey. Another difference between this chicken and traditional jerk chicken is that I baked this chicken in the oven.
If you want to get that classic smoky flavor, I suggest grilling it, or (even better) smoking the chicken drumsticks.
What To Eat With Jerk Chicken
If you order Jamaican jerk chicken, they will probably serve it with plantains, mango salsa, or grilled pineapple. Basically, something sweet. But all of those are too high in carbs.
Instead, make some keto vanilla mousse for something sweet to pair with all the spice.
As for the savory sides, add some keto cauliflower rice or cauliflower mash. I also like making low-carb garlic rosemary rolls on the side too.
Spicy Chicken
Jerk chicken really is as spicy as you want to make it. To amp up the spice, add more serrano peppers, nutmeg, and ginger paste. You can even spirnkle some red pepper flakes on top!
To make it milder, only add 1/4 a serrano pepper and add more lime juice. Have fun with the recipe! If you make any changes to it, let me know in the comments.
Keto Jerk Chicken Recipe
Here’s the list of ingredients that you’ll need to make this keto jerk chicken recipe. The exact measurements and instructions are in the printable recipe card, just a little below.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
Servings:
Ingredients:
Drumstick, thigh and wing pieces bone in skin on
Olive oil
Onion
Serrano pepper
Minced garlic
All spice
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Ginger paste
Sugar free honey
Lime
Salt and pepper
Green onion
Cauliflower rice for serving
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste
Combine the olive oil, serrano, garlic, all spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger paste, sugar free honey and lime juice in a bowl, and stir to combine into a paste.
Spread the paste over all sides of the chicken pieces, and under the skin if possible.
Add the chicken to a well greased 9×13 baking dish, and sprinkle the onion around the chicken pieces.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked completely through.
Garnish with green onions, and serve with cauliflower rice if desired.
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Keto Jerk Chicken
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 8 Chicken Drumsticks Thigh and wing pieces, bone-in, skin-on
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 Onion sliced
- 1 Serrano Pepper finely chopped
- 2 tsp Minced Garlic
- 2 tsp Allspice
- 2 tsp Nutmeg
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 2 tsp Ginger Paste
- 2 tsp Sugar-Free Honey
- Juice from 1 lime
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Green Onion for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste
- Combine the olive oil, serrano, garlic, all spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger paste, sugar free honey and lime juice in a bowl, and stir to combine into a paste.
- Spread the paste over all sides of the chicken pieces, and under the skin if possible.
- Add the chicken to a well greased 9x13 baking dish, and sprinkle the onion around the chicken pieces.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked completely through.
- Garnish with green onions, and serve with cauliflower rice if desired.
Notes
Net Carbs: 2 Net Carbs Per Serving The nutritional information for this recipe is calculated as a courtesy and is an approximate only. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipes on this site.
Keto Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this keto jerk chicken recipe, then I have some more amazing keto chicken recipes you should make next. You’ll want to add them to your regular dinner rotation!
