It’s mid-December, a nippy 9°C outside, and all I can think about is the warm, spicy taste of Caribbean jerk chicken. But here’s the twist – I balance the heat with a sweet pineapple glaze. Trust me, these flavours go hand in hand. Let’s bring a bit of Montego Bay to your backyard BBQ with this recipe. Grab your drumsticks, fire up the grill, and let’s do this!
Pineapple Glazed Jerk Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
For the Pineapple Glaze:
For the Caribbean Dumplings:
Instructions
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The Prep – Chicken:
Marinate the Chicken: Cut into the chicken drumsticks to help the flavours penetrate. Place them in a dish and add the Raggamuffin Rub, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and pineapple juice. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours.
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The Prep – Pineapple Glaze:
Make the Glaze: In a saucepan, combine pineapple chunks with juice, tomato ketchup, Honey & Mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Mix well and simmer over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Blend until smooth.
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The Prep – Caribbean Dumplings:
Mix the Dough: Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add butter and mix until crumbly. Gradually add milk while kneading to form a soft dough. Divide into 12 pieces and let rest for at least 15 minutes.
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The Cook:
- Prepare the Grill: Fire up your Ozpig or preferred grill. If using an Ozpig, use Love Logs for heat.
- Cook the Chicken: Once the grill is ready, cook the chicken directly over the heat. Add a small handful of pre-soaked allspice berries to the coals for authentic smoke. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, brushing on the pineapple glaze when the chicken hits 155°F.
- Fry the Dumplings: While the chicken rests, shape the dough into dumplings and fry in vegetable oil heated to around 350°F until golden brown. Drain on kitchen roll.
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Serving:
Serve: Plate the jerk chicken drumsticks with a generous coating of the pineapple glaze. Add the golden Caribbean dumplings on the side. Enjoy the tropical flavours!
Equipment
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Note
- Inject for Extra Heat: For a spicier kick, inject the chicken with hot sauce before grilling.
- Alternate Cooking Method: You can cook the chicken in an oven if you don't have a grill. Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F) and bake until cooked through, basting with the glaze.
- Holding Tips: If cooking for a party, keep the chicken warm in a low oven and fry the dumplings just before serving.
