Honey-Garlic Jerk Chicken Skewers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-02 · Updated 2026-08-02

Tender chicken marinated in a spicy-sweet jerk sauce, grilled to smoky perfection on skewers. This Caribbean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, scotch bonnet pepper, fresh thyme leaves 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

• 1½ lbs, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 small, seeded and chopped scotch bonnet pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers

The grilling tools we’d reach for here → Best Grilling Tools and BBQ Gadgets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a blender, combine 1 small seeded and chopped scotch bonnet pepper, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth to create the jerk marinade.
2. Step 2: Place 1½ lbs cut chicken thigh pieces into a large bowl and pour the marinade over. Toss to coat evenly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight for best flavor.
3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread marinated chicken pieces onto 8 soaked wooden skewers.
4. Step 4: Grill skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until chicken is cooked through and slightly charred at the edges. Baste with leftover marinade during grilling for extra glaze.
5. Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with lime wedges or a fresh salad.