Spiced Rum-Glazed Caribbean Jerk Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a fiery Caribbean jerk spice blend and glazed with a rich spiced rum sauce, delivering a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, ground allspice, ground cinnamon 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 bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 small scotch bonnet pepper, minced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup spiced rum
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground ginger, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 small minced scotch bonnet pepper, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup spiced rum, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to form a marinade.
- Step 2: Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to penetrate.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with foil. Reserve excess marinade.
- Step 4: Roast chicken for 30 minutes, then baste with 2 tbsp of the reserved marinade. Continue roasting for an additional 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is caramelized and slightly crisp.
- Step 5: For the glaze, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until thickened and syrupy.
- Step 6: Remove chicken from oven, brush with the rum glaze, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Rum-Glazed Caribbean Jerk Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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-Glazed 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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Rum-Glazed 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-Glazed 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-Glazed 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.
