Lightly Spiced Caribbean Jerk Chicken Skewers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken skewers marinated in a fragrant jerk seasoning blend, grilled to smoky perfection and served with a cooling lime yogurt sauce. This caribbean-inspired chicken (high protein) ready in about 52 minutes pairs olive oil, jerk seasoning, minced garlic cloves 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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp jerk seasoning, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto 6 soaked wooden skewers evenly.
  3. Step 3: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until chicken is cooked through and has nice char marks.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, mix 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 tsp honey in a small bowl to make a cooling sauce.
  5. Step 5: Serve the hot jerk chicken skewers with the cilantro lime yogurt sauce on the side for dipping.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Lightly Spiced Caribbean Jerk Chicken Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 52 minutes (40 min prep + 12 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 Lightly Spiced Caribbean Jerk Chicken Skewers?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lightly Spiced Caribbean Jerk Chicken Skewers?

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 Lightly Spiced Caribbean Jerk Chicken Skewers 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.

Is Lightly Spiced Caribbean Jerk Chicken Skewers high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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