Dump-and-Bake Jerk Chicken

A rich, flavorful marinade coats this Dump-and-Bake Jerk Chicken, which comes together with just a few minutes of prep for an easy weeknight dinner!

Course Dinner

Cuisine International

Keyword baked chicken, chicken breasts, chicken marinade

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings people

Calories 360.7kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
1 T. cornstarch
Salt and pepper to taste
1 T. orange zest
2 green onions, sliced (plus additional for garnish, if desired)
3 teaspoons minced fresh garlic (I like to use a squeeze bottle of minced garlic from the produce section as a shortcut)
½ sweet onion, cut into large chunks
½ jalapeno pepper, seeds and ribs removed*
½ cup less sodium soy sauce
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or about ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
Optional for serving: cooked rice; grilled fresh pineapple

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a medium baking dish with cooking spray (I have used both a deep 9-inch by 6-inch dish and an 11-inch by 7-inch dish, and both work well).
Place chicken in the prepared dish. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cornstarch and toss to coat.
In a food processor or blender, puree orange zest, green onions, garlic, onion, jalapeno, soy sauce, vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, thyme, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Pour sauce over chicken and stir to combine.
Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir, return to the oven for 5-10 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened.
Remove from oven. Garnish with sliced green onions just before serving.

Notes

*Use more jalapeno for a spicy dish.

To Grill Pineapple: Place 4 thickly-sliced fresh pineapple rounds on a grill or indoor grill pan that is heated to medium-high. Grill for about 1-2 minutes per side.

Cooking Just for Two? Cut the ingredients in half and bake the chicken in a small dish. The cooking instructions remain the same.

Nutrition