1 Portion Shredded Jerk Chicken contains 268 Calories. If you're a fan of Spicy food and love experimenting with flavors, then you're in for a treat. Jerk Chicken is a popular Caribbean dish that is well-known for its bold and spicy flavor. This article will provide you with all the information you need to make your own delicious, shredded Jerk Chicken at home.
Apart from being highly flavorful, Jerk Chicken is also a good source of high-quality protein. The dish is made using boneless Chicken Breast, which is lean meat with low-fat content. Additionally, the spices used in the recipe are known to have several health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants.
In this article, we'll explore the recipe for making homemade Shredded Jerk Chicken, along with information on its nutrition and flavor profile.
Jerk Chicken Recipe
To make Jerk Chicken, you'll need a combination of spices that are commonly used in Caribbean cuisine. These spices include allspice, scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, and nutmeg. You'll also need garlic, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar for the Marinade. Marinate the chicken in the mixture of spices, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar for at least four hours, or preferably overnight. Then, roast in the oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until fully cooked. Once done, shred the chicken using a fork or your hands. Your homemade Shredded Jerk Chicken is now ready to be served. You can enjoy it as a taco filling, in a burrito, or as part of a healthy salad bowl. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients Needed
1 pound boneless Chicken Breast 2 tsp garlic, minced 2 tsp ginger, minced
Spice Level
The heat in the dish comes from scotch bonnet peppers, which are known for their high levels of capsaicin. Capsaicin is the compound responsible for making chili peppers hot. If you're not a fan of Spicy food, you can reduce the amount of scotch bonnet peppers in the recipe or use a milder variety of chili pepper.
Preparation Time
The majority of the time is taken up by marinating the chicken. Once marinated, the chicken takes only 25-30 minutes to cook in the oven.
Cooking Time
The chicken needs to be roasted in the oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until fully cooked. Once cooked, shred the chicken using a fork or your hands.
Calorie Count Per Serving
The calorie count in the dish is primarily from the boneless Chicken Breast. However, the calorie content can vary depending on the Marinade used and the serving size.
Flavor Profile
The blend of spices used in the recipe, including allspice, thyme, and nutmeg, give the chicken a unique and aromatic flavor. The scotch bonnet peppers add heat to the dish and balance out the sweetness from the brown sugar in the Marinade.
Versatility
Apart from being a delicious main dish, Shredded Jerk Chicken can also be used as a filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. You can add it to a healthy salad bowl or serve it over a bed of rice or noodles. The possibilities are endless!
Serving Suggestions
Taco filling with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sour cream Burrito bowl with rice, beans, salsa, and guacamole Salad bowl with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a lime vinaigrette
Nutrition Benefits
Boneless Chicken Breast is a high-quality protein source that is essential for muscle growth and repair. The spices used in the recipe, including ginger and allspice, have anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve digestion. The scotch bonnet peppers also contain antioxidants that may help protect against certain diseases.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Shredded Jerk Chicken
1. What is Jerk Chicken?
Jerk chicken is a traditional Jamaican dish made with chicken that has been marinated in a Spicy mixture of Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic and other spices then grilled or roasted.
2. Is Jerk Chicken healthy?
Shredded Jerk Chicken is high in protein and low in fat, making it a healthy dish. However, some recipes for Jerk Chicken can be high in sodium and sugar, so it is important to read the nutritional information before consuming it.
3. How do you serve Shredded Jerk Chicken?
Shredded Jerk chicken can be served in a variety of ways. It can be served on top of a salad, in a wrap or sandwich, with rice and beans, or as a topping for nachos.
4. How can I make Shredded Jerk Chicken at home?
There are many recipes available online for Shredded Jerk Chicken. The key ingredients are the jerk seasoning which can be made at home using a combination of spices or purchased pre-made. The chicken is then marinated in the seasoning for several hours before it is roasted or grilled until it is fully cooked.
5. Where can I buy Shredded Jerk Chicken?
Shredded Jerk Chicken can be found in many Jamaican and Caribbean restaurants, as well as some grocery stores. It can also be ordered online and delivered to your doorstep.