Juicy Jamaican Jerk Chicken Skewers with Spicy Mango Salsa
Experience the vibrant and bold flavors of the Caribbean with these Juicy Jamaican Jerk Chicken Skewers accompanied by a refreshingly spicy mango salsa. This dish marries the aromatic spices of Jamaica with succulent grilled chicken, offering a tropical escape right on your plate. Perfect for summertime grilling or bringing a taste of the islands to your dinner table any time of year.
### Ingredients
#### For the Jerk Chicken Skewers:
– **1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts**, cut into 1-inch cubes
– **3 tablespoons soy sauce**
– **2 tablespoons olive oil**
– **3 tablespoons brown sugar**
– **1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped**
– **1 tablespoon ground allspice**
– **1 teaspoon ground cinnamon**
– **1 teaspoon ground nutmeg**
– **1 teaspoon cayenne pepper**
– **1 teaspoon ground black pepper**
– **1 teaspoon kosher salt**
– **3 cloves garlic, minced**
– **1 small onion, finely chopped**
– **1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced**
– **Juice of 2 limes**
– **Wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes**
#### For the Spicy Mango Salsa:
– **2 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and diced**
– **1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced**
– **1 small red onion, finely diced**
– **1 jalapeño, seeds removed and finely chopped** (adjust to taste for heat)
– **1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped**
– **Juice of 1 lime**
– **Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste**
### Instructions
#### For the Jerk Chicken Skewers:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine **soy sauce**, **olive oil**, **brown sugar**, **thyme**, **allspice**, **cinnamon**, **nutmeg**, **cayenne pepper**, **black pepper**, **salt**, **garlic**, **onion**, **ginger**, and **lime juice**.
2. Add the **chicken cubes** to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the **soaked wooden skewers**, leaving a little space between each piece.
5. Grill the skewers for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred at the edges.
6. Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
#### For the Spicy Mango Salsa:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the **diced mangoes**, **red bell pepper**, **red onion**, **jalapeño**, and **cilantro**.
2. Drizzle with the **lime juice** and season with **salt and black pepper** to taste.
3. Toss everything together gently until well combined.
4. Let the salsa sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
### To Serve:
Arrange the jerk chicken skewers on a serving platter and garnish with additional lime wedges and cilantro, if desired. Serve alongside the spicy mango salsa for a delicious and colorful meal that brings the essence of the Caribbean to your table. Soak up the sunshine and savor each bite!