• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Simply LaKita
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Drinks and Cocktails
    • Snacks and Appetizers
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Instant Pot
  • Contact
  • Modern Comfort Food
  • Accessibility Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Jerk Chicken Tacos

    February 21, 2022 by LaKita 4 Comments

    • Share
    • Tweet

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    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.

    overhead view three jerk chicken tacos in white bowl

    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 amazing flavors into my kitchen and attempt to recreate dishes. It is 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 is just what I will be sharing with you today with these jerk chicken tacos.

    Let's get started!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Instructions
    • Recipe Tips
    • Recipe
    • More Recipes to Enjoy with these Tacos

    Ingredient Notes

    ingredients needed to make jerk chicken taco in separate containers on marble surface
    1. Jerk seasoning - This is traditionally a seasoning blend that includes thyme, allspice, and scotch bonnet. Be sure to use dry jerk seasoning and not the 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 in the grocery store. It may be labeled as Jamacian or Carribean, either will work.
    2. 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.
    3. Chicken - Boneless, skinless chicken breast was used to make this taco recipe.
    4. Tortillas - Corn tortilla or flour tortillas if you prefer.
    5. Mayonnaise - Thise will be used to make a jerk sauce to top the tacos.
    6. Slaw mix - Adds a bit of crunch to the tacos and some fresh flavor.
    7. 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 exact quantities.

    Instructions

    Begin the recipe by seasoning the raw chicken generously with jerk seasoning, rubbing it in on both sides.

    overhead view jerk seasoned chicken in glass bowl

    In a medium skillet on medium-high heat, add the 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.

    close up side view cooked jerk seasoned chicken on white plate

    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 a drizzle of the sauce. Serve with a fresh lime wedge, freshly chopped cilantro, and your favorite salsa. Enjoy!

    three finished taco in white bowl with lime wedges and topped with cilantro

    Recipe Tips

    • Generously rub the chicken in the dry jerk seasoning.
    • For thick chicken breast, 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.

    Recipe

    finished tacos inside a large white bowl

    Jerk Chicken Tacos

    LaKita Anderson
    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.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 250 kcal

    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!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 14gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 156mgPotassium: 313mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 411IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg

    *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.

    Keyword jerk chicken tacos
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SimplyLaKita or tag #SimplyLakita

    Original post date 04/25/2016. Updated 02/21/2022.

    close up side view chicken tacos topped with jerk sauce and fresh cilantro

    More Recipes to Enjoy with these Tacos

    • Pineapple Salsa
    • Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing
    • Original Margarita Recipe
    • Chicken Nachos

    Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to use this recipe for Jerk Chicken Tacos? Please share them in the comments below!


    More Main Dishes

    • Chorizo and Sweet Potato Enchiladas
    • Roast Beef and Swiss Cheese Sandwiches
    • Easy Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe
    • One Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tamara

      April 30, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      I love your trip-inspired recipes so much! Gorgeous photos of the vacation and the food you made.

      Reply
      • admin

        May 03, 2016 at 10:33 am

        Thank you!! It has been so much fun sharing and using the local ingredients in a recipe 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sonya

      May 03, 2016 at 10:49 am

      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.

      Reply
      • admin

        May 08, 2016 at 1:46 pm

        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 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm LaKita, a food blogger living in Northwest/Panhandle Florida. I love creating and sharing recipes that are simple to make and comforting to eat. Follow me for more delicious recipes.

    More about me →

    Featured In

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Easy Sweet Potato Pie
    • Easy Candied Yams
    • Coffee Cookies
    • Pear Walnut Blue Cheese Salad

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    Get exclusive updates and more delicious recipes by joining our email subscription. Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Press & Media

    Copyright © 2021 Simply LaKita