Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings Recipe

Introduction

Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings bring bold Caribbean flavors to your table with a perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and smokiness. These wings are easy to prepare and deliver a crispy, tender bite every time. Perfect as an appetizer or a flavorful snack to share.

Ingredients

• 10-12 pieces Chicken wings (Use a mix of drumettes and flats for best texture.)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil (Helps the seasoning stick and promotes crispiness.)
• 2 tablespoons Lime juice (Adds tang and freshness.)
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce (Adds saltiness and depth of flavor.)
• 1 tablespoon Brown sugar (Balances the heat and helps with caramelization.)
• 1 tablespoon Jerk seasoning (Use store-bought or homemade for authentic flavor.)
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika (Adds smoky depth and color.)
• 1 teaspoon Thyme (Fresh or dried, essential for jerk flavor.)
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon (Adds warmth and complexity.)
• 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg (For that signature Caribbean spice note.)
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (Optional for extra heat.)
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground allspice (A key flavor in traditional jerk seasoning.)
• 3 cloves Garlic (Minced finely.)
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (Minced, optional for authentic heat.)
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt (To taste.)
• 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper (Freshly ground for best flavor.)
• Fresh cilantro (For garnish.)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, jerk seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, ground allspice, garlic, and Scotch bonnet pepper if using.
3. Step 3: Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
4. Step 4: Pour the marinade over the wings and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a deeper flavor.
5. Step 5: Arrange the wings in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they aren’t overcrowded.
6. Step 6: Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until wings are golden, crispy, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. Step 7: Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end to achieve extra crispiness.
8. Step 8: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• For milder heat, omit the Scotch bonnet pepper and reduce or skip the cayenne pepper.
• Use fresh thyme for a brighter herb flavor, or dried thyme if that’s what you have on hand.
• Marinate overnight for the deepest, most intense flavor.
• Serve with a cooling dip like ranch or a yogurt-based sauce to balance the heat.

Storage

Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken wings for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw and pat them dry before marinating to ensure crispy results and even cooking.

What can I substitute for Scotch bonnet pepper?

If Scotch bonnet peppers are unavailable, habanero peppers are a good substitute. For less heat, use jalapeños or omit the pepper entirely.

Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.9 from 132 reviews

• Author: Simon
• Total Time: 40 minutes (plus up to 2 hours marinating)
• Yield: Serves 3-4 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

These Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings combine authentic Caribbean spices with a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and smokiness. Crispy on the outside and juicy inside, they’re baked to perfection and ideal for game day, parties, or a flavorful weeknight dinner.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Wings

• 10–12 pieces Chicken wings (Use a mix of drumettes and flats for best texture.)

Marinade

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil (Helps the seasoning stick and promotes crispiness.)
• 2 tablespoons Lime juice (Adds tang and freshness.)
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce (Adds saltiness and depth of flavor.)
• 1 tablespoon Brown sugar (Balances the heat and helps with caramelization.)
• 1 tablespoon Jerk seasoning (Use store-bought or homemade for authentic flavor.)
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika (Adds smoky depth and color.)
• 1 teaspoon Thyme (Fresh or dried, essential for jerk flavor.)
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon (Adds warmth and complexity.)
• 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg (For that signature Caribbean spice note.)
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (Optional for extra heat.)
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground allspice (A key flavor in traditional jerk seasoning.)
• 3 cloves Garlic (Minced finely.)
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (Minced, optional for authentic heat.)
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt (To taste.)
• 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper (Freshly ground for best flavor.)

Garnish

• Fresh cilantro

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
2. Prepare the marinade: In a mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, jerk seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, ground allspice, minced garlic, and minced Scotch bonnet pepper if using.
3. Dry the chicken wings: Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly, which helps ensure the skin crisps up nicely during baking.
4. Marinate the wings: Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken wings and toss them well to coat evenly. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator to allow the spices to penetrate deeply.
5. Arrange the wings: Place the wings in a single layer on the lined baking sheet, making sure they are not crowded to promote even cooking and crispiness.
6. Bake the wings: Bake the wings for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure both sides are golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
7. Optional broiling: For extra crispiness, switch to broil and cook the wings for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
8. Serve: Remove the wings from the oven, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.

Notes

• You can adjust the amount of Scotch bonnet pepper or cayenne according to your heat preference.
• Marinating for longer than 2 hours is not recommended as the citrus can start to ‘cook’ the chicken.
• For a gluten-free version, ensure the soy sauce used is gluten-free.
• Using a wire rack on the baking sheet can help crisp the wings even more by allowing air circulation beneath.
• The wings are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the oven to regain crispiness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican

Keywords: Jerk chicken wings, baked chicken wings, Jamaican wings, spicy chicken wings, Caribbean chicken recipe