Caribbean-Style Rum-Glazed Jerk Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a spicy jerk seasoning and glazed with a rich dark rum sauce for a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on, dark rum, allspice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 2 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and minced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup dark rum, 2 tsp allspice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 minced scotch bonnet pepper, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well to form the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 6 chicken thighs to the marinade, turning to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 3: Preheat your grill or oven to 375°F. Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the marinade.
- Step 4: Grill chicken thighs over medium heat or bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is nicely charred.
- Step 5: While chicken cooks, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened to create the rum glaze.
- Step 6: Brush the warm rum glaze over the cooked chicken thighs before serving to add a glossy, flavorful finish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caribbean-Style Rum-Glazed Jerk Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Caribbean-Style Rum-Glazed Jerk Chicken Thighs?
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 dark rum from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caribbean-Style Rum-Glazed Jerk Chicken Thighs?
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 Caribbean-Style Rum-Glazed Jerk Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Caribbean-Style Rum-Glazed Jerk Chicken Thighs?
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.
