What to Serve with Jerk Chicken – 17 Tasty Ideas
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Wondering what to eat with jerk chicken? Jerk chicken is a Caribbean dish with really unique and bold flavors, and it pairs perfectly with lots of different side dishes. Here are 17 delicious ideas for side dishes that will bring out the best in your jerk chicken and make your meal even more mouth-watering.
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What is Jerk Chicken?
Jerk chicken is chicken that has been marinated in a blend of spices and herbs and then grilled or roasted.
This spicy jerk chicken dish came from Jamaica and is actually the most popular dish in the country. It can be made hot or mild and is usually served with a side of rice and beans, but there are more options for a complete meal!
The unique flavor of jerk chicken comes from allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, scallions, garlic, ginger, and thyme. It’s best cooked over a charcoal or wood fire, which adds an extra smoky flavors to the savory flavors of this Jamaican cuisine.
What to Eat With Jerk Chicken
1. Jamaican Rice and Peas
This classic Jamaican side dish is a must-have with jerk chicken. The creamy coconut rice, paired with flavorful kidney beans, provides the perfect balance to the spicy chicken. This is a great way to keep it a traditional Jamaican jerk chicken meal.
2. Jamaican Cornmeal Fritters
Also known as “festival,” these sweet cornmeal fritters are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They’re the ideal accompaniment to jerk chicken, give you a delightful contrast in texture for your meal.
3. Plantains
Whether they’re grilled, fried as tostones, or baked, plantain chips are a fantastic choice to pair with jerk chicken. Their natural sweetness and slightly caramelized exterior add a delightful twist to every bite. This makes one of the best side dishes, but also makes a really good appetizer for your jerk chicken dinner!
4. Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy and slightly sweet, sweet potato fries are the ideal accompaniment to jerk chicken and a nice substitute for regular french fries.
5. Collard Greens
This lighter side dish has tons of flavor without quite as much bulk as some of these other side dishes. The flavor of collard greens is perfect with the Jamaican jerk chicken recipe spice blend.
6. Callaloo
This traditional Caribbean dish made from leafy greens is a nutritious and flavorful side that pairs perfectly with jerk chicken. The bright flavors and healthier ingredients make this a perfect side dish for jerk chicken.
7. Mac and cheese
Who doesn’t love a gooey, cheesy bowl of mac and cheese? This comfort food favorite is a delicious choice to enjoy alongside jerk chicken. It’s simple ingredients make it easy to make a nice homemade mac and cheese dish to prepare with your traditional Jamaican dish.
8. Coleslaw
A refreshing and tangy coleslaw is a great choice to balance out the heat of jerk chicken. The crisp cabbage, carrots, and creamy dressing provide a cool and creamy contrast. The light flavors of coleslaw are the perfect combo to cool off the spicy jerk marinade.
9. Roasted Vegetables
Roasting vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and sweet potatoes brings out their natural sweetness and adds a deliciously caramelized flavor to your meal.
10. Red Beans and Rice
Red kidney beans and rice is a traditional side dish for Jamaican meals. Red beans and rice are filling and delicious and add even more flavor to this savory dish.
11. Corn on the Cob
Grilled or boiled corn on the cob is a simple yet delicious choice to enjoy with jerk chicken. The natural sweetness of the corn pairs perfectly with the spicy flavors of the chicken.
12. Caribbean Salad
A refreshing twist one a green salad, this salad is made with tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and papaya and is the perfect accompaniment to jerk chicken, providing a burst of flavor in every bite.
13. Cuban Black Beans and Cilantro Lime Rice
Cuban black beans with white rice that’s flavored with cilantro and lime juice are great for balancing the bold and spicy flavors of delicious jerk chicken.
14. Potato Salad
The creamy, starchy potatoes can complement the spicy, flavorful jerk chicken well, giving a nice contrast in texture and taste. It’s always a good way to cool down that spicy flavor of the jerk sauce.
15. Creamy Cucumber Salad
Creamy cucumber salad pairs exceptionally well with jerk chicken due to its contrasting yet complementary flavors and textures. The cool, refreshing nature of the cucumber salad provides a soothing balance to the fiery and bold spices of jerk chicken. You can make a non-creamy tangy cucumber salad as well.
16. Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy caviar is a great match for jerk chicken because it’s a mix of tasty, fresh stuff. The strong flavors in cowboy caviar, like beans, corn, and peppers, balance out the spicy jerk chicken. Together, they make a delicious combo where the crunchy cowboy caviar cools down the hot jerk chicken, making your taste buds happy.
17. Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple
Grilled pineapple with brown sugar is a fantastic sidekick to jerk chicken because it’s a mix of sweet and smoky. The caramelized brown sugar on the pineapple perfectly complements the spicy jerk chicken. When you pair them up, you get a tasty combo where the sweetness of the pineapple balances out the heat of the jerk chicken, making your taste buds sing.
