Aged Rum-Glazed Caribbean Jerk Chicken
Succulent chicken thighs marinated and glazed with a rich, spiced aged rum sauce that balances sweet, smoky, and fiery flavors. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, aged dark rum, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup aged dark rum
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 small, finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup aged dark rum, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 small finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper, 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to create a marinade.
- Step 2: Place 6 bone-in chicken thighs in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to let the flavors deeply infuse.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F). Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the marinade, and brush each piece lightly with 2 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 4: Grill chicken thighs skin side down for 6-8 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden, then flip and grill another 6-8 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens and becomes syrupy.
- Step 6: Brush the rum glaze generously over the grilled chicken thighs just before serving to add a sticky, aromatic finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Aged Rum-Glazed Caribbean Jerk Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Aged Rum-Glazed Caribbean Jerk Chicken?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Aged Rum-Glazed Caribbean Jerk Chicken?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Aged Rum-Glazed Caribbean Jerk Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Aged Rum-Glazed Caribbean Jerk Chicken?
Caribbean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
