Why Jerk Chicken deserves more attention

Jerk Chicken rarely gets the international recognition it deserves. The fiery and aromatic complexity is genuine, not simple, and the technique involved in using scotch bonnet correctly takes real skill.

Jamaican jerk cooking traces to the Maroon communities who preserved meat with allspice and chilli. I encountered it first in a Kingston jerk pit and that context helped me understand it properly. Red Stripe beer is the natural accompaniment and the combination makes the case for the dish. If you haven't explored this cuisine seriously, Jerk Chicken is the dish to start with.