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Baked Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken: Sweet, Spicy, and Irresistible
If you’re searching for a dish that brings bold Caribbean flavor, juicy tender chicken, and the perfect balance of sweet heat all baked into one effortless pan, Baked Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken is the recipe you’ve been missing. This dish is vibrant, aromatic, saucy, and absolutely addictive — combining the warmth of traditional Jamaican jerk spices with the bright, tropical sweetness of pineapple.
Imagine succulent chicken smothered in a glossy pineapple-jerk glaze, baked until caramelized and sticky around the edges. Every bite bursts with layers of flavor: smoky heat, fresh citrus, aromatic herbs, juicy fruitiness, and savory depth. It’s the kind of meal that tastes like a summer cookout, a beach vacation, and a cozy baked dinner all at once.
In this in-depth recipe guide, you’ll learn everything you need to create this unforgettable baked chicken dish — from ingredients and instructions to serving ideas, variations, expert tips, and cultural context behind jerk seasoning.
What Makes This Dish So Irresistible
1. Jerk Seasoning = Layers of Flavor
Authentic jerk seasoning blends allspice, thyme, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, and Scotch bonnet pepper — creating warmth, heat, smokiness, and depth. Paired with pineapple, it becomes magical.
2. Pineapple Sweetness Balances the Spice
Fresh pineapple or crushed pineapple melts into the sauce, adding natural sweetness that glosses over the chicken and complements jerk heat beautifully.
3. Baking = Easy + Juicy
Instead of grilling (which is traditional), we let the oven do the work. Baking keeps the chicken moist and allows the sauce to thicken into a sticky glaze.
4. Perfect for Meal Prep
The leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
5. Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing
Serve it over rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or inside tacos, bowls, or wraps.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs
- Olive oil
- Jerk seasoning
- Salt and pepper
For the Pineapple-Jerk Glaze
- Pineapple juice
- Crushed pineapple
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice
- Additional jerk seasoning
Ingredients (List Format for Recipe Section)
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsp jerk seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Pineapple Jerk Sauce:
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup crushed pineapple
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp jerk seasoning
- Optional: sliced jalapeños or Scotch bonnet for extra heat
Garnish:
- Cilantro or green onions
- Grilled pineapple rings
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Pat chicken dry and season with jerk seasoning, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
- In a bowl, whisk pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, lime juice, and extra jerk seasoning.
- Place chicken in the baking dish and pour half the sauce over top.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Pour remaining sauce over chicken and continue baking 15–20 minutes until caramelized, sticky, and fully cooked.
- Optional: broil for 2–3 minutes for additional color.
- Spoon sauce over chicken and garnish with cilantro and grilled pineapple.
- Serve with rice, plantains, or roasted vegetables.
Baked Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken: Sweet, Spicy, and Irresistible
A juicy, sweet-heat fusion of pineapple, jerk seasoning, and tender baked chicken caramelized to perfection.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Season chicken thighs with olive oil, jerk seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- In a bowl, whisk pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, lime juice, and extra jerk seasoning.
- Place chicken in the baking dish and pour half the pineapple jerk sauce over it.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then pour the remaining sauce over the chicken.
- Continue baking 15–20 minutes until caramelized, sticky, and cooked through.
- Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes for extra caramelization.
- Garnish with cilantro and grilled pineapple. Serve warm.
Notes
Adjust jerk seasoning based on heat preference. Double the sauce if serving with rice.
Tips for Perfect Pineapple Jerk Chicken
Caramelization Is Key
Let the sauce reduce and glaze the chicken. Broil at the end for extra color.
Balance Heat with Sweetness
If you like it milder, use less jerk seasoning. Want heat? Add fresh chili or extra seasoning.
Use Dark Meat
Thighs stay juicier than breasts, especially with bold spices.
Double the Sauce
If serving with rice, doubling the glaze makes the meal saucy and irresistible.
Flavor Variations
Grilled Version
Grill chicken until charred and brush with the pineapple glaze repeatedly.
Creamy Pineapple Jerk Chicken
Stir in ¼ cup coconut milk before baking for a creamier sauce.
Pineapple Jerk Chicken Bowls
Serve over coconut rice with black beans, cabbage slaw, and avocado.
Vegetarian Option
Use roasted cauliflower or tofu with the same sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Coconut jasmine rice
- Charred pineapple skewers
- Sauteed kale or cabbage
- Jamaican festival bread
- Black beans
- Mango salsa
- Fried plantains
Sweet, savory, spicy, and tropical elements all pair beautifully with jerk flavors.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Make-Ahead
Marinate chicken for up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
Storage
- Refrigerate: up to 4 days
- Freeze cooked chicken with sauce: up to 2 months
Reheating
Reheat gently in the oven or microwave with extra sauce to keep the chicken juicy.
A Taste of Jamaica at Home
Jerk chicken is one of Jamaica’s most iconic dishes — traditionally slow-cooked over pimento (allspice) wood and coated in an intensely flavorful marinade. This baked version honors those flavors while adding a sweet-tropical twist with pineapple that makes the dish family-friendly and irresistibly delicious.
It’s simple enough for weeknights yet bold enough for hosting. Once you try this sweet-spicy fusion, it may become your go-to baked chicken recipe.