Fiery-sweet jerk-marinated chicken thighs grill up juicy and smoky beside charred sweet corn for a bold Jamaican-inspired dinner built for summer evenings.
Total time: 45 minutes
Estimated cost: About $13–$17 using the listed chicken thighs, sweet corn, green onions, lime, garlic, ginger, and habanero, plus pantry spices.
Health notes: Serves 2 at roughly 540 calories per serving, with high protein, moderate fat, and fiber from the sweet corn.
Drink pairing: A lightly sweet Riesling cools the jerk heat while matching the charred corn’s sweetness.
Details
Ingredients
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Draper Valley Boneless Skinless Fresh Chicken Thighs1 lb $6.99
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Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob2 ears $1.25
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Green Onions4 green onions, divided $1.50
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Fresh Organic Lime1 lime, zested and juiced $1.50
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Garlic3 cloves, minced $0.79
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Ginger Root1 tablespoon grated $4.99
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Fresh Habanero Peppers1/2 to 1 pepper, seeded and minced $7.99
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Olive oil2 tablespoons, divided
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Soy sauce1 tablespoon
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Brown sugar1 teaspoon
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Ground allspice1 teaspoon
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Dried thyme1 teaspoon
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Smoked paprika1/2 teaspoon
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Ground cinnamon1/8 teaspoon
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Kosher salt3/4 teaspoon, divided
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Black pepper1/4 teaspoon
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Charles Smith Wines Kungfu Girl Riesling Washington White Wine750 ml $13.99
Instructions
- Shuck the corn, mince 3 green onions, thinly slice the remaining green onion for garnish, mince the garlic and habanero, grate the ginger, and zest and juice the lime.
- In a bowl, mix the minced green onions, garlic, ginger, habanero, lime zest, half the lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, allspice, thyme, smoked paprika, cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry, coat them thoroughly in the jerk marinade, and let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes; during this time, heat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high and oil the grates.
- Rub the corn with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 4 to 5 minutes; flip the chicken, add the corn to the grill, and continue cooking for 8 to 10 minutes more, turning the corn often and flipping the chicken once more if needed, until the corn is lightly charred and tender and the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
- Transfer the chicken and corn to a platter, drizzle the corn with the remaining lime juice, and rest the chicken for 5 minutes so the juices settle.
- Plate the jerk chicken thighs with the hot grilled sweet corn, scatter sliced green onion over the top, and spoon any resting juices from the chicken over the plate.
Wine picks:
- Charles Smith Wines Kungfu Girl Riesling Washington White Wine $13.99 750 ml
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer Washington White Wine $9.99 750 ml
Why it works: Kung Fu Girl Riesling brings off‑dry fruit, bright acidity and citrus notes that cool the habanero, lift the lime and cut the richness of the thighs while echoing the sweet, charred corn. Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer adds an aromatic, spicy counterpoint—floral and lychee notes and a touch of sweetness that play nicely with allspice, cinnamon and smoked paprika and stand up to the soy/umami in the marinade. Serve both well‑chilled (Gewurztraminer a touch warmer than the Riesling) so guests can choose between a refreshing chill or a more aromatic, spice‑forward match.