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    Grilled Jerk Chicken Kebabs

    March 18, 2025

    These grilled jerk chicken kebabs are ideal for summer BBQ's. Loaded with warm spices and brightened up with pineapple and peppers this family-friendly dinner is always a hit.

    grilled jerk chicken kebabs with pineapple bell peppers limes and cilantro

    Bust Out That Grill!

    It’s THAT time of year. We love how the warm weather beckons us to our grills each evening, keeping our kitchen clean (for the most part) and dining al fresco is our favorite summer activity. Life just seems a little bit lighter and dare we say easier in the summer. We are confident that these grilled Jamacian jerk chicken kebabs will make your dinner time routine a little more enjoyable.

    cilantro, onion, paprika, lime, olive oil in a blender for jerk marinade
    jerk seasoning in a blender

    What Is Jerk Chicken?

    Many people think that “jerk”—as in “Jamaican jerk chicken”—is a word that is always synonymous with a super spicy chicken dinner. But in fact, Jamaican jerk spice doesn’t have to be crazy hot. While the exact meaning of the word “jerk” is somewhat open for interpretation, most agree that the term “jerk” is more about a style of cooking than a set-in-stone flavor profile. In Jamaican culinary tradition, “jerking” refers to the practice of cooking meat over an open flame, and, historically, the beloved “jerk” flavor profile came from cooking over local Jamaican pimento wood. This very unique pimento tree wood releases fragrant oils as it burns, and the smoke produced by its fire flavors the grilling meats. As time went on, people wanted to create faster and easier ways to enjoy the flavor of “jerk” and therefore we have jerk spice blends, like the one we use to flavor these delicious jerk chicken kebabs!

    jerk chicken kebabs with bell pepper, pineapple and red onions

    How to Make Jerk Chicken Seasoning.

    We wanted our jerk chicken kebabs to be extra juicy and never dry out on the grill, so decided to marinate them in a wet jerk seasoning marinade. This jerk seasoning keeps the chicken pieces nice and juicy and we love the flavor it adds to the pineapple, bell peppers and grilled red onions. Here’s what you’ll need to make it.

    • Warm spices: nutmeg, allspice & cinnamon
    • Sweetness to balance the spices: brown sugar
    • A little bit of a bite: green onions, garlic, red onion and cilantro
    • Paprika, salt, black pepper, thyme
    • Olive oil and lime juice

    How to Make The Best Chicken Kebabs Ever.

    Marinate the chicken in the wet jerk chicken seasoning. Lace the bell pepper, pineapple red onion and marinated chicken onto the skewers. Now you’re ready to grill. When the chicken is nice and seared on the outside and still juicy on the inside, you can serve these babies over warm rice (coconut rice is even better) and you’ve got yourself another winner chicken dinner!

    grilled jerk chicken kebabs with pineapple, bell peppers, red onions, lime and cilantro

    Tools You Will Need:

    More Kebab Dinners:

    grilled jerk chicken kebabs with peppers
    grilled jerk chicken kebabs with pineapple, bell peppers, red onions, lime and cilantro

    Be A Jerk!

    Or at least make these jerk chicken kebabs for dinner. We promise everyone will love you for it. WHen you do be sure to snap a photo of your masterpiece and tag us using @themodernproper or #themodernproper when you do.

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    Grilled Jerk Chicken Kebabs Recipe

    Updated March 18, 2025

    • Serves:  8
    • Prep Time:  20 min
    • Cook Time:  15 min
    • Calories:  412
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    Ingredients

    • 1 cup fresh cilantro, packed
    • 5 green onions, trimmed, roughly chopped
    • 1 red onion, quartered, cut into 2-inch pieces
    • 3 garlic cloves, smashed
    • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • ¼ cup fresh lime juice, (from 2 limes)
    • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
    • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 tablespoon paprika
    • 1 tablespoon ground allspice
    • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
    • 1 pineapple, cored and cut into 2-inch pieces
    • 1 pound mini bell peppers, whole
    • Coconut Rice, for serving (optional)

    Method

    1. In a blender, combine the cilantro, green onions, ¼ of the red onion, garlic, olive oil, lime juice, brown sugar, thyme, cinnamon, paprika, allspice, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Blend until smooth. Transfer the marinade to a large bowl or plastic zip-top bag.

    2. Add the chicken to the marinade and toss to coat well. Let marinate for at least 2 hours or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.

    3. Preheat the grill on medium heat. 

    4. Remove the chicken from the marinade and allow any excess to drip off. Thread the chicken, pineapple, bell peppers, and remaining red onion pieces onto 8 metal skewers, alternating ingredients evenly. Place the skewers on the grill and cook, rotating often, until the vegetables are tender and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 12-15 minutes.

    5. Serve kebabs, on or off the skewers, with coconut rice on the side, if desired.

    Notes

    If you opt for bamboo skewers instead of metal skewers, soak them in water for at least 1 hour before using!

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 412
    • Protein 23 g
    • Carbohydrates 52 g
    • Total Fat 17 g
    • Dietary Fiber 18 g
    • Cholesterol 90 mg
    • Sodium 1064 mg
    • Total Sugars 20 g

    Grilled Jerk Chicken Kebabs

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • Sophia

      Could we bake these in the oven?

      Absolutely!

    • Julia

      Can you make any portion of this meal in advance?

      Totally! After you marinate the chicken for a couple of hours you can assemble the skewers and have those in the fridge until ready to cook! Just probably wouldn't leave them in there longer than 24 hours since it's best to cook marinated chicken within the 24 hour window. Hope you enjoy Julia!

    • m

      how is this jerk? where’s the heat? i’m used to jerk chicken that’s crazy hot. I buy jerk sauce from Jamaica but would love to know more about it.

      You are correct! Traditional jerk has scotch bonnets in it! Feel free to as some heat with hot sauce or cayenne.

    • Calli

      These were incredible. Probably one of my favorite recipes from this site! My bf and I are always on the hunt for something flavorful and fresh for dinner, and modern proper never fails to disappoint! Each recipe has been a hit! With this, the marinade is key!! We did it overnight and the results were astounding at first bite! Highly recommend! Thank you for this and the many other fantastic recipes on your page!

      Thanks Calli, so happy you loved it! And this is all so wonderful to hear how much you love our recipes.

    • Jenn

      These were amazing! I made the coconut rice too and the duo was incredible.

      Thanks Jenn, we are so glad you loved it!