Fry Chicken Jamaican Recipes
Jamaican fried chicken recipes typically feature crispy, flavorful chicken coated in a seasoned batter or breading. The chicken is marinated with a mix of herbs and spices like allspice, thyme, garlic, ginger, and Scotch bonnet peppers, creating a savory, spicy base. After marinating, the chicken is deep-fried until golden and crispy. Served with traditional sides like rice and peas or festival (sweet fried dough), Jamaican fried chicken offers a delicious balance of heat, crunch, and flavor.
Equipment
- Large bowl (for marinating chicken)
- Small bowl (for mixing flour and spices)
- Frying pan or deep fryer
- Tongs or slotted spoon (for turning and removing chicken)
- Paper towels (for draining excess oil)
- Knife and chopping board (for chopping chicken)
- Zester or grater (for ginger)
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Chicken or preferred cut, chopped into pieces
- 1 Lime
- 2-3 teaspoons Fresh Thyme minced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon White Pepper
- 1/2 cup Jerk Seasoning homemade or store-bought
- 1/2 teaspoon Dry Oregano
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 5 Pimento Berries allspice berries
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger minced
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Adobo Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Complete Seasoning or all-purpose seasoning
- 5 cups Canola Oil or other frying oil, but avoid Extra-Virgin Olive Oil due to its low smoke point
- 2-3 teaspoons Hot Sauce adjust to your heat preference
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Wash and chop the whole chicken into your preferred pieces (drumsticks, thighs, wings, etc.). Rub the chicken with lime juice to cleanse and reduce any raw odor. Let the chicken sit for a few minutes to absorb the lime.
Season the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, mix the jerk seasoning, thyme, salt, black pepper, onion powder, ginger, garlic powder, adobo seasoning, and complete seasoning. Add some hot sauce for extra flavor.
- Rub the seasoning mixture thoroughly into the chicken pieces. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes (for best flavor, marinate for 1 hour or more, if possible).
Prepare the Flour Coating:
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, white pepper, paprika, oregano, and pimento berries (crushed or ground). Mix well.
Coat the Chicken:
- Dredge each piece of marinated chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure the chicken is well-coated on all sides.
Heat the Oil:
- In a frying pan or deep fryer, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. You’ll want enough oil to fully submerge the chicken or at least cover half the pieces if shallow frying.
Fry the Chicken:
- Once the oil is hot (around 350°F / 175°C), carefully lower the chicken pieces into the hot oil using tongs or a slotted spoon. Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry the chicken until it’s golden brown and crispy, about 10-12 minutes per batch, depending on the size of the pieces. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Drain and Serve:
- Remove the fried chicken from the oil and place it on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve the crispy Jamaican fried chicken hot, with extra hot sauce or your favorite side dishes!