I had this really random craving for jerk chicken the other week. Not that I’ve had jerk chicken… actually, I’m pretty sure I’ve never had jerk chicken in my life. But, I was reading blogs, as I do, and came across a recipe for it and suddenly wanted it on my plate. Of course, jerk chicken is filled with all the things I can’t eat (hello wild spices!). So I decided to go on a mission to figure out how to make it paleo, Victoria-diet friendly.
Whether you want to call this Jerk Chicken or not (I’ll admit, it’s missing a bit of that Jerk-flavor), it tastes really good and you should make it.
Everything-Free, Not Quite Jerk, Crockpot Paleo “Jerk Chicken”
Serves 4
Ingredients:
A combination of chicken, I used 2 large breasts (skin on) and 4 drumsticks. But any combo of breasts, thighs, and/or drumsticks work, SKIN ON.
1 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbs. Lime juice
1 tbs. thyme
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tbs. molasses
1 tbs. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1 bay leaf
1 tbs. arrowroot starch
Combine all ingredients except for the chicken, bay leaf, and arrowroot starch into a bowl and mix well. Add chicken, sauce, and bay leaf to crockpot and cook on low for about 4 hours, until chicken is almost done (should be soft and just barely pink inside).
Line a baking sheet with tinfoil and place a wire rack sprayed with nonstick spray on top. Lay chicken pieces onto the rack. Pour the remaining sauce from the crockpot into a small saucepan and add the arrowroot starch. Whisk on medium low heat for about 5-10 minutes until sauce thickens into a goopy, thick-like gravy.
Spread half the sauce on the chicken and broil for about 5-7 minutes (if you have an oven that has different broiler settings, use the lowest) until chicken browns and skin becomes crispy, but not burnt. Flip the chicken and pour the remaining sauce on the other side. Broil for another 5-7 minutes.
Eat up!
