If you’re after a meal that’s full of flavour, easy to throw together, and guaranteed to fill the kitchen with amazing smells, this slow cooker jerk chicken is for you.
I used boneless chicken thighs and a jar of jerk paste to keep things simple, so there was hardly any prep needed. You can let it bubble away on low during the day, then serve it with rice, salad, or whatever sides you fancy in the evening.
What You Need
For exact amounts and concise instructions please head to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Chicken
I used 1kg of boneless, skinless chicken thighs – they’re great for slow cooking as they stay juicy and soak up all that spicy jerk flavour. You could use chicken breasts if you prefer, but they might cook a bit quicker, so just keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t dry out.
Jerk Paste
To keep things easy, I used 3 tablespoons of jerk paste from a jar – specifically the Walkerswood Traditional Jamaican Jerk Seasoning. It’s actually a paste so perfect for adding straight to the chicken, and it’s got a really good balance of heat and flavour. You can find it on Amazon (link to buy in recipe card below) or in some supermarkets and independent shops.
Feel free to use the paste you like – or even make your own jerk paste if you’re feeling adventurous!
A note about jerk paste: not all jerk pastes have the same heat and flavour. I have used 3 tbsp but you may want to use more or less depending on the paste you have as well as how hot you like it.
Onion and Garlic
I added 1 chopped onion and 3 cloves of crushed garlic to build up the base flavour. You can use frozen chopped onions or garlic paste if that’s what you’ve got.
Peppers
For a bit of sweetness and colour, I added 1 red pepper and 1 green pepper, both sliced. If you only have one colour, that’s fine too – this is a very flexible recipe.
How To Make Jerk Chicken In A Slow Cooker
Marinate the Chicken
For the best flavour, I like to marinate the chicken in the jerk paste overnight in the fridge. But if you’re short on time, just aim for at least 30 minutes before it goes into the slow cooker.
Add Everything to the Slow Cooker
Place the marinated chicken in the slow cooker. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and sliced peppers. Give everything a gentle stir so the flavours start to mingle.
Cook
Pop the lid on and cook on:
- Low for 4–6 hours
- Or high for 2–3 hours
You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is tender and easy to shred or slice.
How To Thicken the Sauce
Sometimes the sauce can be a bit watery at the end of slow cooking – especially if your chicken and peppers have released a lot of liquid. Here are a few easy ways to thicken it up:
Cornflour Slurry
Mix 1 tablespoon of cornflour with 2 tablespoons of cold water, or take some of the liquid from the slow cooker, then stir it into the sauce. Set the slow cooker to high and cook with the lid off for about 10–15 minutes until it thickens.
Lid Off & Simmer
If you’re not in a rush, just take the lid off and let the sauce simmer on high for the last 30 minutes – it’ll naturally reduce and thicken.
Mash Some of the Veg
Use a spoon or potato masher to mash a few of the cooked peppers and onions into the sauce. It thickens things up without needing to add anything else.
I tend to do the cornflour slurry. I start it just as I am about to put the rice in the rice cooker, then everything is ready at the same time.
What To Do With Leftovers
Leftover jerk chicken is great the next day. Try it in:
- Wraps or sandwiches
- Rice bowls
- Tossed into a salad with lime dressing
- Shredded over nachos with cheese and sour cream
It also freezes well – just let it cool and portion it up for another day.
What To Do With Leftover Jerk Paste
If you’ve got some jerk paste left in the jar, here are a few quick and easy ideas to use it up:
Coat chicken thighs or drumsticks in jerk paste and air fry until crispy and cooked through. Great with rice or stuffed in a wrap.
Soup Maker Jerk Sweet Potato Soup
Add a spoonful of jerk paste to your usual sweet potato soup recipe for a spicy twist. Works really well with coconut milk and a squeeze of lime.
Use chicken, some chopped veg, a little jerk paste and stock – a warming, spicy soup that’s perfect for using up leftovers.
Marinade for Fish or Prawns
Toss prawns or white fish in a little jerk paste mixed with lime juice and olive oil, then grill or pan-fry for a quick meal.
Jerk Veg Traybake
Mix jerk paste with a little oil and coat chopped sweet potato, peppers, onions, and courgette. Roast at 200°C for 30–40 minutes until caramelised and golden.
What To Serve With Slow Cooked Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Rice and Peas
A classic Jamaican pairing made with coconut milk, kidney beans (or gungo peas), and thyme. Perfect for soaking up the spicy jerk sauce.
Coconut Rice
Creamy and slightly sweet, coconut rice balances the heat of the chicken beautifully.
Plain Rice or Brown Rice
Simple, fuss-free and ideal if your jerk chicken has plenty of sauce.
Classic Coleslaw
Cool and creamy, coleslaw helps offset the heat. Use cabbage, carrot, and onion with a light mayo or yogurt dressing.
Mango Salsa
Sweet and tangy – made with diced mango, red pepper, red onion, coriander, and lime juice. Adds a refreshing contrast.
Simple Green Salad
A light side of salad leaves, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes with a zesty dressing like lime or honey mustard.
Fried Plantain
Soft and caramelised, fried plantain adds a sweet and savoury element that pairs really well with jerk flavours.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Brushed with butter and lime juice, and optionally sprinkled with chilli flakes or jerk seasoning.
Flatbread or Wraps
Great for turning the chicken into wraps with slaw or salsa – perfect for leftovers too.
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken
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Ingredients
- 1 kg boneless chicken thighs see note 1
- 3 tbsp Jerk paste see note 2
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
Instructions
- For maximum flavour I like to marinate the chicken in the Jerk paste overnight. If you don’t have time for this then try to leave it for at least 30 minutes.
- Add the chicken to the slow cooker followed by the chopped onions, crushed garlic and sliced peppers. Gently stir everything around.
- Put the lid on and set the slow cooker off on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- Serve with your favourite sides – rice, flat bread, corn-on-the-cob, salad are all options.
Video
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an estimate.