Internationally Inspired, Aromatic Flavors

Jamaican Jerk Chicken is a spicy dish common throughout the Caribbean. Jerk refers to a style of cooking that uses flavorful spices and a slow cooking method typically over a grill for a smoky flavor. Jerk is famous for its tangy seasonings marked by the highly aromatic allspice and chili peppers. Allspice is Jamaican pepper (aka pimento), the berry of a tropical evergreen tree of the myrtle family. Native to Central America and West Indies, it played a big role in influencing Caribbean cuisine and is the predominant flavor in Jamaican Jerk dishes. The name allspice is said to have come from the British, who named the berry in the 1600’s for its combined aromas of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper. The classic Jerk seasoning consists of garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cumin, and of course the important allspice. The result is an earthy, sweet, and spicy blend of exotic flavors. 

The origins of this dish are said to date back 2500 years to the Taino, the Arawak Tribe who settled Jamaica. The Arawak’s were indigenous peoples from northern South America and the word jerk reportedly stems from the Spanish word “charqui” meaning strips of preserved meat, similar to modern day jerky.

Bex Kitchen aims to provide flavorful whole food and this internationally inspired, aromatic dish is part of their special seasonal menu. Bex starts their Jerk chicken by brining, using this as an opportunity to build the flavor profile from the ground up. Brining is soaking the chicken in an aromatic bath, adding moisture and tenderizing the chicken. Next the meat is seared on a grill to lock in the flavors and add a smokiness. The meat then gets braised in a sauce of jalapenos, cloves and molasses to add more depth and develop the aromas one step further. After the chicken is braised, it is allowed to rest before being pulled apart with more sauce added to the end product, creating a pungent tasting, flavorful and moist chicken. The jerk chicken will become part of a sandwich station trio, served with braised short rib and pulled pork options. The sandwich station is paired with brioche rolls, coleslaw, pink pickled onions, gruyere cheese and butter pickles making for an amazing way to entertain.

Inquire about adding this mouth-watering addition to your party or special occasion today.