Traditionally, jerk chicken is grilled, but this slow cooker jerk chicken is just as delicious and easier to make. The spiced jerk marinade transforms these chicken thighs into a tender, juicy dinner.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Jerk chicken is a classic Caribbean dish that is known for its bold, spicy flavor.
The chicken is marinated in a flavorful jerk seasoning that infuses it with all the classic flavors of jerk chicken. Then, it is cooked low and slow in the slow cooker until it is fall-apart tender.
- Easy to make. All you need to do is combine the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.
- Authentic flavor. it is a great way to get a flavorful and authentic jerk chicken without having to fire up the grill.
- Versatile recipe. You can serve this crockpot jerk chicken thighs with a variety of sides, such as rice, beans, and vegetables.
- Budget friendly. An affordable weeknight meal you can start in the morning and have ready when you're home from work..
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Crockpot Jerk Chicken Ingredients
- How to Make Crockpot Jerk Chicken Thighs
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- 📖 Recipe
- Food Safety
Crockpot Jerk Chicken Ingredients
With just a few ingredients and a crockpot, this zesty dish is sure to spice up your weekly meal rotation. The flavors of the jerk seasonings permeate through the juicy chicken thighs as they simmer away in your slow cooker.
For Jerk Chicken Thighs
- Chicken thighs - Bone in, with or without skin.
- Water
- Orange juice
- Lime juice - Fresh squeezed.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Jerk seasoning - See recipe below
- Soy sauce
- Garlic - Fresh minced or garlic powder.
- Curry powder
- Salt
Jerk Seasoning (Jamaican Spice)
- Allspice, ground
- Ginger, ground
- Cinnamon, ground
- Nutmeg, ground
- Cayenne, ground
- Garlic powder or granules
- Onion powder or granules
- Black pepper, ground
- Salt
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Crockpot Jerk Chicken Thighs
These incredibly delicious and easy-to-make jerk chicken thighs are perfect for when you're searching for an exciting meal that doesn't take too much effort. So grab your slow-cooker and let's get cooking!
Put Chicken In Slow Cooker
- Rinse the chicken off and place in the bottom of the slow cooker. For easier clean up you can use a slow cooker liner.
Prepare The Jerk Marinade
- In a large measuring cup or small bowl, combine the water, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, Jamaican spice blend, soy sauce, minced garlic, curry powder, and salt. Whisk until blended.
Add Marinade To Slow Cooker
- Pour the jerk marinade over the chicken thighs, place the lid on the crockpot, and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.
PRO TIP: For crisper chicken thigh skin, transfer the chicken thighs to a broiling pan or sheet pan. Place under the oven broiler for 5 minutes to crisp up, watching closely so they don't burn.
Platter And Serve With Sauce
- Transfer the jerk chicken thighs to a serving platter. Ladle some of the crockpot Jamaican jerk sauce into a gravy boat or small bowl to serve alongside the chicken.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these jerk chicken thighs together with a side of our Rice Cooker Coconut Rice for an exotic tropical feast. Some popular options include rice, beans, vegetables, and plantains.
- Cilantro Lime Rice (Rice Cooker)
- Ghanaian Jollof Rice
- Cuban Fried Plantains (Tostones)
- Fried Sweet Plantains
- Tropical Fruit Salad
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few scrumptious variations using this slow cooker jerk chicken recipe as a base:
- You can substitute chicken breasts for the chicken thighs.
- Add other vegetables to the slow cooker, such as bell peppers, potatoes, or onions.
- You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the chicken thighs.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this slow cooker jerk chicken recipe.
Storage and Reheating
- The cooked jerk chicken thighs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
- To reheat the jerk chicken, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it in the slow cooker on low heat until warmed through.
Tips for Success
- For a spicier chicken, add more cayenne pepper or habanero peppers to the jerk seasoning.
- You can also marinate the chicken in a gallon zipper bag overnight for even more flavor!
- Double or triple the Jamaican spices so you can save some for another meal. Keep in a mason jar or bail jar in cool dark pantry location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use store-bought jerk seasoning. However, if you have the time, I recommend making your own jerk seasoning. It is easy to do and you can control the level of heat, and it has more flavor.
Yes, you can make this recipe in a Dutch oven or oven-safe pot. Just cook the chicken in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours, or until it is cooked through and the chicken tender.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
For Jerk Chicken Thighs
- 5 lb Chicken thighs
- 1 cup Water
- ¼ cup Orange juice
- ¼ cup Lime juice
- ¼ cup Apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon Jerk seasoning recipe below
- 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Jerk Seasoning (Jamaican Spice Blend) makes 3 tbsp
- 1 teaspoon Allspice ground
- 1 teaspoon Ginger ground
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon ground
- 1 teaspoon Nutmeg ground
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne ground
- 1 teaspoon Garlic ground
- 1 teaspoon Onion ground
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper ground
- ½ teaspoon Salt ground
Instructions
- Rinse the chicken off and place in the bottom of the slow cooker. For easier clean up you can use a slow cooker liner.5 lb Chicken thighs
- In a large measuring cup or small bowl, combine the water, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, Jamaican spice blend, soy sauce, minced garlic, curry powder, and salt. Whisk until blended.1 cup Water, ¼ cup Orange juice, ¼ cup Lime juice, ¼ cup Apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoon Jerk seasoning, 1 tablespoon Soy sauce, 3 cloves Garlic, 1 teaspoon Curry powder, 1 teaspoon Salt
- Pour the jerk marinade over the chicken thighs, place the lid on the crockpot, and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.
- Transfer the jerk chicken thighs to a serving platter. Ladle some of the crockpot Jamaican jerk sauce into a gravy boat or small bowl to serve alongside the chicken. PRO TIP: For crisper chicken thigh skin, transfer the chicken thighs to a broiling pan or sheet pan. Place under the oven broiler for 5 minutes to crisp up, watching closely so they don't burn.
Homemade Jamaican Spices
- Blend all the spices together until completely blended. Makes just enough for this recipe. Add to the water, orange juice, lime juice, garlic and salt. Pour over the chicken in the slow cooker.1 teaspoon Allspice, 1 teaspoon Ginger, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon Nutmeg, 1 teaspoon Cayenne, 1 teaspoon Garlic, 1 teaspoon Onion, 1 teaspoon Black pepper, ½ teaspoon Salt
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
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