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This recipe for Jerk Chicken Tacos is loaded with the flavor of jerk seasoning. Simple to make, ready in less than 30 minutes, and perfect for Taco Tuesday or any day.
These tacos are delicious to serve on their own for dinner but feel free to also pair them with a loaded salad topped with Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing and paired with a refreshing Original Margarita Recipe.
One of my favorite things to pick up on my travels is the local seasonings.
This is a great way to bring some of those unique flavors into my kitchen and attempt to recreate dishes. It's no wonder that my favorite place to visit over and over again is the Caribbean. I absolutely love visiting anywhere in the Caribbean. The weather, the beaches, the beautiful people, and of course the food.
If you have spent any time in the Caribbean, then you already know that jerk flavors can easily be found. So of course I always make sure to grab some local jerk seasoning to bring home to use and that's just what I will be sharing with you today with these jerk chicken tacos.
Let's get started!
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Ingredients You'll Need to Make Jerk Tacos
- Jerk seasoning - This is traditionally a seasoning blend that includes thyme, allspice, and scotch bonnet. Be sure to use dry jerk seasoning and not wet seasoning for this recipe. The dry seasoning will be used as a rub for the chicken and to season the mayonnaise to make a sauce to top the tacos. Jerk seasoning should be easy to locate in the aisle with the seasonings at the local grocery store. It may also be labeled as Jamaican or Caribbean, either will work.
- Oil - Use vegetable, canola, or olive oil to saute the chicken. This really depends on your preference and what you have available. For this recipe, I prefer to use canola oil for its neutral flavor and it gives the chicken a nice outer crisp.
- Chicken - Boneless, skinless chicken breast was used to make this taco recipe.
- Tortillas - Corn tortillas or flour tortillas if you prefer.
- Mayonnaise - This will be used to make a jerk sauce to top the tacos.
- Slaw mix - Adds a bit of crunch to the tacos and some fresh flavor.
- Lime wedge - Serve the tacos with a lime wedge and squeeze on top of the tacos before serving. It helps to balance the flavors and adds a nice punch of acid to the taco recipe.
See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full recipe instructions.
How to Make a Jerk Taco (Step By Step Instructions)
Begin the recipe by seasoning the raw chicken generously with jerk seasoning, rubbing it in on both sides.
In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and allow it to heat thoroughly before adding the chicken. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side until fully cooked at least 165 degrees F. internally.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, carefully remove it from the skillet and turn off the heat. Allow the jerk chicken time to rest before cutting it into strips. Set aside.
While the chicken is resting, in a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and jerk seasoning to top the tacos.
Assemble the tacos by warming the tortillas first, followed by placing the slaw on next, followed by the chicken and topping with a drizzle of the sauce. Serve with a fresh lime wedge, freshly chopped cilantro, and your favorite salsa. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Generously rub the chicken in the dry jerk seasoning. Really get it all over the chicken!
- For thicker chicken breasts, cut them in half for quicker cooking and handling.
- Substitute chicken thighs in the same unit of measure if you prefer.
- If using corn tortillas or flour tortillas, warm them in the microwave or char them a little on an open flame.
- Serve with a side of the jerk seasoned mayo for dipping and your favorite salsa.
Storage
Allow any leftover cooked chicken time to cool to room temperature before storing. Place the chicken in an airtight container or plastic storage bag before storing it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
It's best to store the chicken separately from the tortilla, toppings, and sauce.
When you're ready to enjoy the jerk tacos again, simply reheat the chicken in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven on low heat until warmed thoroughly. Then assemble the tacos with the tortillas, slaw mix, and jerk sauce for a delicious meal.
More Recipes You'll Love
- Pineapple Salsa
- Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing
- Original Margarita Recipe
- Cast Iron Chicken Breast
- Ground Pork Nachos
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to use this recipe for Jerk Chicken Tacos? Please share them in the comments below!
Recipe
Jerk Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 ½ teaspoons jerk seasoning
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 large chicken breasts (1 pound)
- 2 ½ tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon jerk seasoning
- 1 cup slaw mix
- 4 corn tortillas
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Begin the recipe by seasoning the 2 chicken breasts (1 pound) generously with 1 ½ teaspoons jerk seasoning, rubbing it in on both sides.
- In a medium skillet on medium-high heat, add the 2 tablespoons canola oil and allow it to heat thoroughly before adding in the chicken. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side until fully cooked at least 165 degrees F. internally.
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the skillet and turn off the heat. Allow the jerk chicken time to rest before cutting into strips. Set aside.
- While the chicken is resting, in a small bowl, whisk together the 2 ½ tablespoons mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon jerk seasoning to top the tacos.
- Assemble the tacos by warming the 4 corn tortillas first, followed by placing the 1 cup slaw mix on next, followed by the prepared chicken and a drizzle of the sauce. Serve with a fresh lime wedge and your favorite salsa. Enjoy!
Notes
- Generously rub the chicken in the dry jerk seasoning. Really get it all over the chicken!
- For thicker chicken breasts, cut them in half for quicker cooking and handling.
- Substitute chicken thighs in the same unit of measure if you prefer.
- If using corn tortillas or flour tortillas, warm them in the microwave or char them a little on an open flame.
- Serve with a side of the jerk seasoned mayo for dipping and your favorite salsa.
Nutrition
*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Original post date 04/25/2016. Updated 02/21/2022 & 05/10/2023.
Tamara
I love your trip-inspired recipes so much! Gorgeous photos of the vacation and the food you made.
admin
Thank you!! It has been so much fun sharing and using the local ingredients in a recipe 🙂
Sonya
I would love to try the hand raked sea salt. I'm a salt lover 🙂 I'm hooked on pink Himalayan rock salt.
The beach is beautiful. Visiting a beautiful beach like that one is on my bucket list.
admin
It is really good and you need to use so little. I love pink Himalayan salt as well. Thank you! It was a beautiful island 🙂
Marisa Franca
What a wonderful tacos idea -- make it jerk!! We made this recipe yesterday for lunch and the boys loved it. Just enough of a difference to really tease the tastebuds. We will definitely be making the tacos this way often.
LaKita
Thank you Marisa! Happy to hear you and your family enjoyed the jerk tacos 🙂
Carrie Robinson
I am just loving this Caribbean take on classic tacos! It all sounds so flavorful and delicious. 🙂 I am definitely going to make this for our next taco night.
LaKita
Thank you Carrie, I hope you get the chance to give it a try soon!
Loreto and Nicoletta
Nicoletta and I loved the Carrigan. Just thinking about our trip is making me hungry. That jerk spice is so so tasty. Just makes everything burst with flavor. Love the idea of a jerk taco and that slaw is a perfect pairing. I am salivating right now. Need some jerk! Lol. 😃 😋 ❤️
LaKita
Thank you Loreto! Hope you get to try some jerk soon 🙂
Katie Crenshaw
The jerk chicken was so easy to put together and the flavor came out delicious! I will be making jerk chicken tacos all summer.
LaKita
Thank you Katie! This really is a great summer recipe to enjoy!!
Monica
Jerk seasoning is the absolute best! So flavorful and perfect for chicken. I don't know why I never used this in tacos before the result is perfection - will definitely make on repeat!
LaKita
Thank you Monica! I agree, jerk seasoning really is the best!!
Jamie
Awesome! This Tacos recipe looks so delicious! The Jerk Chicken looks so juicy! Making our next Tacos Tuesday exciting and tempting! Plus we only need less than 30 minutes to have this Tacos dish on our table! Loved it!
LaKita
Thank you so much Jamie!!
sil
Great idea for Taco Tuesday. Jerk seasoning is so flavorful, and it goes so well with the chicken. The filling and the coleslaw are a delicious pairing. My kids don't like mayo so, I added our favorite salsa instead. Yum.
LaKita
Thank you Sil, jerk seasoning really does pair well with chicken 🙂
Ramona
A brilliant and delicious idea. Will definitely make it again and totally recommend it. So full with flavour! Yummmm.
LaKita
Thank you Ramona, that makes me happy to hear 🙂
Moop Brown
These tacos seem really tasty and flavorful. Looking forward to trying them.
LaKita
Thank you Moop, hope you get the chance to try them soon!
Sangeetha
I'm a big fan of tacos, and these Jerk Chicken Tacos sound absolutely mouthwatering! The combination of tender chicken seasoned with jerk spices is sure to bring a burst of flavor to every bite. I love that this recipe is quick and easy to make, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun Taco Tuesday feast.
LaKita
Thank you Sangeetha!! It really is a fun and delicious Taco Tuesday recipe 🙂