My family loves the island flavors of this Pineapple Glazed Jerk Chicken. It features the sweet and spicy flavor combination that always brings a smile to the faces around my kitchen table. Chicken legs are rubbed with jerk seasoning and baked until golden. Glazed with a sweet and spicy pineapple glaze, they're nothing short of finger licking good.
Easy Pineapple Glazed Jerk Chicken Recipe
Just like you, chicken is a regular rotation on our menu. Because of this, coming up with fresh and new ways to make chicken is not only endless, it can be overwhelming, can't it? These jerk chicken drumsticks are made in the oven and the glaze is made while the chicken is baking. It's simple enough for a weeknight but, tasty enough for company.
How to Make the Best Pineapple Glazed Jerk Chicken Recipe
- Ingredients you'll need to make homemade Pineapple Glazed Jerk Chicken: 3 pounds chicken drumsticks , prepared jerk seasoning i.e. McCormick's or similar, minced garlic, olive oil, brown sugar, salt and black pepper.
- Ingredients for the Pineapple Glaze: Pineapple preserves, butter, shallot, red bell pepper, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes and garlic.
- Kitchen gadgets you'll need: A large sheet pan with a rack or oven safe grill pan, a heavy bottomed saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, a sharp knife and cutting board. It's also helpful to have a silicone pastry brush to brush the glaze onto the chicken.
- If you're unable to find pineapple preserves you can adapt using apricot or mango.
- You can also make the following changes to adapt the glaze. Add one 8 ounce can of undrained crushed pineapple and ½ cup of granulated sugar to the other ingredients. You may need to cook the glaze slightly longer to give it time to thicken and reduce.
- Store leftover Jerk Chicken chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It's delicious cold, but you can reheat gently in an air fryer for a few minutes or a 350°F oven just until the skin has crisped again. Watch it closely and don't walk away it can burn.
Side Dishes to Serve with Pineapple Glazed Jerk Chicken
The sweet and spicy flavors in this dish go particularly well with rice dishes and salads. A twice baked potato or a side of green beans would go well with this dish, too. You can't go wrong with a dish of macaroni and cheese or any of your other favorite Southern side dishes. When you catch chicken on sale, whip-up a batch of this jerk chicken for dinner. For more chicken inspiration, also checkout my Parade article featuring 18 Ways To Rock Chicken Wings.
- Teriyaki Rice Pilaf is filled with mushrooms and petite peas for added color.
- Cajun Dirty Rice complements the sweet and spicy vibe beautifully.
- Seven Layer Salad is a feast for the eyes.
- Loaded Baked Potato Salad is practically a meal on it's own.
- Homemade Breadsticks will go with this or any of your favorite entrées.
- Green Bean Salad can be made in advance for a timesaver.
- Sweet Corn on the Cob.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Pineapple Glazed Jerk Chicken
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 393kcal
Ingredients
- 3 lb chicken drumsticks
- 2 teaspoon Jerk seasoning [i.e. McCormick's or your favorite]
- 4 clove garlic minced
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- salt and black pepper to taste
- For the glaze:
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 large shallot, minced or ¼ cup red onion
- 3 tablespoon red bell pepper small dice
- 1 12 oz jar pineapple preserves
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Use an oven safe grill pan, broiler pan, or jelly roll pan fitted with a rack. spritz liberally with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken drumsticks. Mix together the Jamaican Jerk seasoning, minced garlic, olive oil and brown sugar to form a paste. Rub on all sides of the chicken. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Place onto the pan. Sprinkle the top with additional seasoning, if desired. Bake for 30 minutes.
- While the chicken is baking make the glaze. Saute diced shallot or red onion with the red pepper in 2 tablespoon butter until softened, around 4 minutes, Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add the remaining ingredients, mix well. Simmer for for 10-15 minutes until reduced by ¼ then remove from the heat.
- After baking the chicken for 30 minutes, brush with the glaze. Turn and brush the other side with glaze.
- Bake an additional 10 minutes or until the juices run clear.
- Remove from the oven and rest loosely tented with foil for 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve leftover glaze warm on the side if desired.
Notes
- If you're unable to find pineapple preserves you can adapt using apricot or mango.
- You can also make the following changes to adapt the glaze. Add one 8 ounce can of crushed pineapple (with juice) and ½ cup of granulated sugar to the other ingredients. You may need to cook the glaze slightly longer to give it time to thicken and reduce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1piece | Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 82g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Arlene
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING
Melissa
Thank you!
Wendy
Do you have Air Fry instructions for this?
Melissa
I haven't tested it in an Air Fryer. If you try it, let us know how it goes.
Carol
This is really good! First time with jerk chicken. I love the sweet heat recipe. .
I did change the pineapple preserves to a pineapple combo pepper jelly and the dark meat to white.
Thank you!
Melissa
I'm glad you enjoyed this, thanks!
LiL
Hello. Would love to make this recipe, but been having trouble finding the Caribbean jerk seasoning. And can't find the pineapple preserves either. Can you tell me where I can find it? Thank you so much. LiL
Melissa
Hi Lil, usually jerk seasoning is easy to find on the spice aisle of most any grocery store. This includes places like Walmart and Target. You could use a different flavor of jam such as mango, apple, peach, orange or any other flavor that you may enjoy. Otherwise, Amazon does sell Pineapple preserves if you want to go that route.
G
I couldn’t find at two well known grocery stores in a large city: Mcormick Jamaican Spice ( though found another Jamaican spice) or pineapple preserves. What can you substitute for pineapple preserves? I saw a mango passion fruit preserve, would this work?
G
Melissa
Oh sure, mango would do nicely, even peach if you like that flavor.
Rebecca {foodiewithfamily}
Wow! This is destined to be a summer classic. I love that pineapple glaze. ❤️
Melissa
It's pretty yummy, thanks Rebecca!
Melissa
Hi Sharon, I can see how that could be confusing. Bake the chicken for 30 minutes. Make the glaze while it's baking. After 30 minutes, brush on all sides with the glaze and continue baking for 10 minutes. That's 40 minutes total depending on your oven, of course. Hope this helps.
shawn swain
.....Check for doneness at 165 degrees
Sharon
This sounds amazing,but I'm a bit confused about the bake time. It says bake chicken 30 mins. while making the glaze,then bake chicken 30 mins. Is this an additional 30 mins. before basting or the original 30 mins ? I can't wait to try this.TY
Mary Younkin
This chicken sounds fantastic, Melissa!
Melissa
Thank you Mary!