When I was little I lived on a farm. We had this one rooster that would flog me every time I set foot in our backyard. I couldn’t seem to get away from it, and it terrified me. That chicken was a jerk. I guess that’s why I really like to eat jerk chicken.
One of the things Laura and I really like to do is try to reverse-engineer recipes we like from some of our favorite restaurants. She has done an excellent job of replicating the garlic shrimp, tomato, and arugula dish that Lazy Goat used to serve (but don’t anymore.) A few weeks ago we were at the Farehouse in Taylors and I had an incredible Jerk Chicken dish. I decided I had to try to replicate it at home. It may not be exactly the same as the one at Farehouse, but it’s pretty darn close, and it turned out great.
Here’s the recipe. Of course, this is in no way precise.
Ingredients: (Amounts are approximate and can be altered to taste and what’s available)
- 1 lb chicken, cut into chunks
- 1 cup of rice
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1 red bell pepper cut into chunks
- 1 package sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup frozen green beans
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 12oz can chunk pineapple
- 1 small jar pearl onions
- 3 tablespoons liquid jerk sauce of some type (Walkerswood or similar)
- 1 1/12 teaspoons powdered jerk seasoning (McCormick,Badia or similar)
- Combine chicken and liquid jerk sauce in a resealable plastic bag. Allow to marinate for about an hour.
- In a large oven-safe frying pan, sauté onion and red bell pepper in 2 tbs olive oil
- Add marinated chicken and cook, occasionally stirring, until chicken is done.
- Add rice and chicken broth to the pan, continuing to heat and stir.
- Add powdered jerk seasoning.
- Drain the liquid from the chunk pineapple can into the pan, but do not add pineapple chunks just yet.
- Add mushrooms
- Let ingredients simmer for about 5-7 minutes
- Add frozen corn, frozen beans, pineapple, and pearl onions
- Let ingredients simmer for another 2-3 minutes
- Remove pan from stovetop and place in 325º oven for 15-20 minutes. Liquid should reduce, but may not completely go away.
Enjoy with your favorite rum libation. This recipe makes 5-6 nice bowl servings, and works well as leftovers.