Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple and Scotch Bonnet
Juicy chicken thighs infused with a fiery and aromatic jerk marinade, slow-cooked to tender perfection alongside sweet pineapple chunks for a bold balance of heat and sweetness. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 260 minutes pairs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, chopped green onions, chopped fresh thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 minced (remove seeds for less heat) fresh scotch bonnet pepper
- 4 chopped green onions
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 3 minced fresh garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 minced scotch bonnet pepper (seeds removed for milder heat), 4 chopped green onions, 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 tbsp ground allspice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to create the jerk marinade.
- Step 2: Add 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs to the marinade, coating them completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated chicken thighs skin-side down for 4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and sear for an additional 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Transfer the chicken and marinade to a slow cooker, add 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours until chicken is tender and infused with spices.
- Step 5: Remove chicken from slow cooker and place on a serving platter. Spoon pineapple and pan juices over the chicken. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper to taste before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple and Scotch Bonnet take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple and Scotch Bonnet?
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 chopped green onions from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple and Scotch Bonnet?
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 Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple and Scotch Bonnet 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 Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple and Scotch Bonnet?
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.
