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Home » Chili Pepper Recipes » Chicken Wings » Jerk Chicken Wings

Jerk Chicken Wings

by Mike Hultquist · May 15, 2019 · 12 Comments

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Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings Recipe

This jerk chicken wings recipe is huge on flavor, with wings rubbed down with loads of jerk seasoning, then grilled until nice and crispy. Fire up that grill, my friends!

Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings Recipe

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings Recipe

I couldn't help myself. I've been absolutely jonesing for chicken wings and I had to make some. No reason to run out to the local wing joint when you can make them at home. I'm making these with my freshly made Jamaican jerk seasoning rub.

So hard to resist!

We're going Caribbean with this recipe. It's a double whammy flavor blast, actually triple if you count the brine. I brined the chicken wings to make them extra moist on the inside. It isn't necessary, but I definitely recommend it if you have the time.

Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings in a pan, ready to serve

These jerk chicken wings are huge on flavor. They're wonderfully spicy, a big taste of the Caribbean, though they're not "hot". They're definitely warming. If you're looking to really up that heat factor, I'll discuss that in the seasoning section of the post.

Let's talk about how to make jerk chicken wings, shall we?

Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings in a pan

Jerk Chicken Wings Ingredients

  • Chicken Wings.
  • Seasonings. Jamaican Jerk Rub/Seasoning + salt.
  • FOR THE JAMAICAN JERK SAUCE RECIPE
  • Scotch Bonnet Peppers. Habanero peppers are a good substitute.
  • Brown Sugar.
  • White Vinegar.
  • Seasonings. Dried thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt.
  • Soy Sauce.
  • Fish Sauce.
  • Fresh Garlic.

How to Make Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings - the Recipe Method

First, pat your chicken wings dry with paper towels and give them a good rub down with your Jamaican jerk seasoning. I made a fresh homemade blend,but feel free to use your favorite brand. More on the seasoning blend below.

Next, heat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. We're grilling the wings here instead of frying them. Nothing against fried. I just prefer them grilled or baked/broiled, depending on my mood.

Set the wings on the grill and grill them for 10 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through.

Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings on the grill

Look at all those spices. So amazing! Quite piquant.

You can serve them as is, or toss them with either your favorite sauce, or! Toss them with my homemade Jamaican Jerk sauce that is crazy delicious. Whammy! Flavor whammy.

Just look at them. Get yourself a nice char and go to town.

Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings, ready to serve

Poor Patty didn't get to have any of these wings. She was out again on another GNO - Girls Night Out! I'm sure she had fun, but not as fun as I had, enjoying these wings all to myself. Haha! Win!

About the Jamaican Jerk Seasonings

You can sometimes find a good jerk seasoning spice blend at your local grocer, but it's so much better when you make it at home. There are a lot of ingredients, but it is still worth making it for the overall fresh factor.

Plus, you can adjust it to your own personal preferences by adding more of what you like, such as cayenne powder for extra heat. Or, feel free to toss in a bit of spicy ghost pepper powder to really spice things up.

Check out my Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe, with recipe tips and a printable recipe.

Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasonings mixed together in a bowl

About the Jamaican Jerk Sauce

If you'd like that extra flavor whammy, make this Jamaican jerk sauce and toss it with the finished wings.

Jamaican Jerk Sauce Recipe

It is made with fiery Scotch Bonnets peppers, aromatics and a number of seasonings that make it a must for spicy sauce lovers. 

It's perfect for jerk chicken of any kind, especially jerk chicken wings. It's also great on seafood, so keep that in mind for multiple uses. It's easy to make, too, with a food processor or blender, then a quick simmer.

Check out my post for this Jamaican jerk sauce recipe, with notes and a printable recipe. You might also check out my Jamaican jerk marinade recipe.

Storage & Leftovers

Store any leftover chicken wings in the refrigerator in a sealed container. They will last up to 5 days. You can easily reheat them on the grill in in a hot pan.

You can freeze cooked jerk chicken wings in sealed containers for 3 months or longer.

That's it, my friends! I hope you enjoy your jerk chicken wings! Nice and spicy, just how we like it!

Check Out Some of My Other Popular Chicken Wing Recipes

  • BBQ Chicken Wings
  • Crispy Baked BBQ Chicken Wings
  • Jalapeno-Cheddar Chicken Wings
  • Grilled Ghost Pepper Chicken Wings
  • Baked Ghost Pepper Chicken Wings
  • Sticky Habanero Glazed Chicken Wings
  • Baked Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Wings
  • Pressure Cooker Chicken Wings
  • Air Fryer Chicken Wings
  • Brined Grilled Chicken Wings with Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Mike stealing a jerk chicken wing

Got any questions? Ask away! I'm happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.

Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings Recipe
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Jerk Chicken Wings Recipe

This jerk chicken wings recipe is huge on flavor, with wings rubbed down with loads of jerk seasoning, then grilled until nice and crispy. Fire up that grill, my friends!
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken wings, jamaican
Prep Time: 3 hours hours
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Calories: 424kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 4
Tap or hover to scale
5 from 4 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken wings separated and tips removed
  • 4 tablespoons salt
  • 4 tablespoons Jamaican Jerk Rub/Seasoning (see recipe notes)
  • ½ cup Jamaican Jerk Sauce

FOR THE JAMAICAN JERK SAUCE RECIPE

  • 5-6 Scotch Bonnet chili peppers chopped (habanero peppers are a good substitute)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare your sauce first by combining all sauce ingredients in a food processor. Process until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Set the chicken wings into a large bowl. Add salt and cover with water. Cover and refrigerate about 3 hours to brine.
  • Remove and pat the wings dry.
  • Set them into a large bowl and rub the Jamaican Jerk rub into the skins. Get it in there!
  • Heat a grill to medium-heat and grill the wings for 20 minutes, turning once half way through. Keep an eye on them so the skins do not overcook.
  • Once cooked through, toss the wings with the Jamaican Jerk sauce and serve.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 424kcal   Carbohydrates: 34g   Protein: 25g   Fat: 21g   Saturated Fat: 5g   Cholesterol: 94mg   Sodium: 8063mg   Potassium: 455mg   Fiber: 3g   Sugar: 28g   Vitamin A: 2670IU   Vitamin C: 19.3mg   Calcium: 84mg   Iron: 3.5mg
Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

This recipe was updated on 4/30/19 to include new photos and information. It was originally published on 10/5/2015.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Cindy says

    February 13, 2024 at 4:34 pm

    5 stars
    My husband has been on the hunt for the perfect jerk chicken wings since our first trip to Jamaica in 1992 and was always disappointed in the results
    Tried your recipe and said this is the one!! Perfection!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      February 13, 2024 at 4:57 pm

      Excellent! Glad you found this one and enjoyed it, Cindy! Thanks for sharing! I need to make this again very soon!

      Reply
  2. Paul says

    February 01, 2024 at 4:07 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Mike & Patty,

    Loved the wings! Cooked half tonight, left the rest marinating in the rub/Jerk powder. I’ll make the Jerk sauce with those tomorrow but tonight ate them with your Taco sauce, or Mike’s Taco Ketchup as we call it in our house. Really fabulous combination!
    I’ll use the dried Aji Limon Drop chillies rather than Habanero for the Jerk Sauce tomorrow as my Capsaicin tolerance is nowhere near as high as yours lol.
    Watercress and Cherry Tomatoes to accompany.

    Thanks again for another enjoyable evening meal.

    Paul

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      February 02, 2024 at 5:51 am

      Paul, sounds like a fantastic plan. Glad you are so creative with the recipes - enjoy!

      Reply
  3. geri senter says

    September 10, 2023 at 8:48 am

    Is there any way these can be cooked in an air fryer?

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      September 10, 2023 at 8:57 am

      Absolutely, Geri. Check out my Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe here: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/air-fryer-chicken-wings/

      Reply
  4. Amber says

    September 25, 2020 at 7:03 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe!

    I noticed you used a simple brine instead of the traditional Jerk marinade. Why? Would it make a difference in the final result...

    Thanks
    Amber

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      September 25, 2020 at 11:23 am

      Amber, you can definitely use the jerk marinade as well for even MORE flavor. Yes, go for it!!

      Reply
  5. Emily says

    May 19, 2020 at 12:35 pm

    i love your jerk sauce recipe! We just bought a Traeger smoker. Do you think they'll work well smoking? PS - happy anniversary!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      May 19, 2020 at 1:02 pm

      Thanks, Emily! Absolutely, these would be great on the smoker. You can always hit them up with a quick fire on the grill to crisp them up after if you'd like. Let me know how they turn out!

      Reply
  6. Steve says

    June 28, 2019 at 12:02 pm

    5 stars
    I love the jerk sauce recipe! I use it on leg quarters as a marinade and it always comes out fantastic! Put the quarters on a slow gas grill for about 40 - 50 minutes and it's party time!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      June 30, 2019 at 12:05 pm

      Perfect, Steve! Sounds like the perfect way to enjoy it!

      Reply

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