Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Jerk Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs slowly braised in a spiced dark rum and jerk seasoning sauce, resulting in tender meat infused with bold island flavors. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs dark rum, jerk seasoning, olive oil 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 (about 2 lbs) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- 2 tbsp jerk seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rub 2 tbsp jerk seasoning evenly over 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until golden and crispy, then flip and cook an additional 3 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 medium thinly sliced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup dark rum and 1 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add 3 fresh thyme sprigs and 2 tbsp lime juice.
- Step 5: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 30 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Step 6: Remove the thyme sprigs and serve the chicken with the reduced sauce spooned over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Jerk Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean 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 Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean 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 Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean 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 Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean 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.
