Jamaican Jerk-Style Chicken with Black Bean and Mango Salsa is easy, super flavorful and sure to “up” your grill game!
Boneless skinless chicken breasts are a mainstay of warm-weather grilling. They’re virtually fat-free, are pure protein and if you compare the price per pound with some other proteins, they’re still fairly affordable. However, if not cooked properly, this part of the chicken can be dry and rather ho-hum.
This lively marinated and grilled Jamaican Jerk Style Chicken with Black Bean and Mango Salsa is anything but ho-hum.
That’s why you’re going to love my Jamaican Jerk-Style Chicken with Black Bean – Mango Salsa!
What is jerk-style?
Jerk is a style of cooking native to Jamaica that uses a dry spice mixture or wet marinade that is extremely spicy.
A jerk seasoning blend contains spices such as allspice, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, dried chilies, sugar and salt. The salt-free jerk blend for chicken and fish that is available at Penzeys has great flavor and is what I like to use.
Tips for buying chicken:
It’s important to start with a good product. At the very least, use minimally processed, all-natural, hormone and antibiotic-free chicken. If your budget allows, organic, free-range chicken is even better. I grew up on a farm where we raised our own chickens, so I’m adamant about the quality of chicken we consume at home and that I use for my clients.
How to safely cook chicken:
Chicken is cooked through and safe to consume when an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees inserted into the thickest part. If cooked to a higher temperature, you run the risk it will be dry. A good, accurate meat thermometer is important for food safety and allows you to properly enjoy what you spent hard-earned money on and took the time to prepare.
Tips for making Jamaican Jerk-Style Chicken with Black Bean and Mango Salsa:
- Feel free to use the hottest pepper you can handle in the marinade and salsa. Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers are generally used. My husband can tolerate those; a jalapeño or Serrano is hot enough for me.
- The recipe for black bean and mango salsa makes plenty to accompany the chicken. If any salsa is left over, enjoy it for lunch the next day served over tender lettuce.
- Simply grilled sweet potato planks are the perfect side dish!
More easy chicken recipes you’ll love!
- Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic
- Walnut-Crusted Chicken with Pomegranate Sauce
- Grilled Citrus Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri
- Chicken Scallopini with Roasted Vegetable Ratatouille
- Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil
- Chicken Marrakesh with Jeweled Couscous
Jamaican Jerk-Style Chicken with Black Bean Mango Salsa
Ingredients
Marinade and Chicken
- 2 scallions white and light green part only, coarsely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic coarsely chopped
- ½ jalapeño or Serrano pepper seeded if desired, coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning blend such as Penzeys
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
Salsa
- 1 can (15-ounce) black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 medium ripe mango pitted and diced (about 1 cup)
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
- ½ jalapeño or Serrano pepper seeded if desired, minced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 limes zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Chicken and Marinade
- Combine all ingredients except chicken in a mini food processor and process until smooth.
- Transfer marinade to a zipper-top plastic bag. Place chicken in the bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal. Gently squeeze the bag to thoroughly coat the chicken with the marinade. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from bag and discard marinade. Place chicken on the grill then reduce heat to medium and cook 8 to 9 minutes per side or until cooked through to 165 degrees.
Salsa
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Serve with chicken.
Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
kathi @laughingspatula.com says
This is just perfect for tomorrows dinner! Beautiful photo!
Kathi
kathi @laughingspatula.com says
This is just perfect for tomorrows dinner! Beautiful photo!
Kathi