Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken with Sweet Plantains

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender slow-cooked jerk chicken infused with aromatic spices, served alongside caramelized sweet plantains for a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. This caribbean-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs pounds boneless chicken thighs, jerk seasoning, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, 3 tbsp jerk seasoning, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper. Toss well to coat and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Transfer the marinated chicken to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
  3. Step 3: While the chicken cooks, peel and slice 2 large ripe plantains into 1/2-inch thick diagonal slices.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the plantain slices and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and caramelized. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Step 5: Serve the slow cooker jerk chicken hot alongside the sautéed sweet plantains for a classic Caribbean meal.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken with Sweet Plantains take to make?

Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken with Sweet Plantains?

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 jerk seasoning from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken with Sweet Plantains?

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 Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken with Sweet Plantains 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 Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken with Sweet Plantains?

Caribbean slow cooker 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.

Related recipes