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Homemade Jerk Chicken Tacos photo

Jerk Chicken Tacos

Slow-cooker jerk chicken with pineapple, served in warmed corn tortillas and topped with shredded red cabbage, crumbled feta, green onion, and lime.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Caribbean
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Small Bowl
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Tongs
  • Slotted Spoon
  • wide saucepan
  • Dry skillet
  • forks

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoonsdried thyme
  • 2 teaspoonsground nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoonsground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoonsground allspice
  • 2 teaspoonsground ginger
  • 1 teaspoonground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoonkosher salt
  • 2 tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 poundsboneless skinless chicken thighstrimmed of excess fat
  • 4 green onionschopped white and green parts separated
  • 6 cloveschopped garlic
  • 2 jalapeño pepperswith seeds diced
  • 20 ouncespineapple chunksunsweetened in their juices
  • 1/4 cupwhite vinegar
  • corn tortillas
  • red cabbageShredded
  • crumbled feta cheese
  • lime wedges

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Make the jerk spice paste: In a small bowl, stir together 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground allspice, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
  • Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil to the spice mixture and mix until it forms a spreadable paste.
  • Place 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (trimmed of excess fat) in the bottom of a slow cooker. Rub the spice paste evenly over all the chicken pieces.
  • Sprinkle the white parts of the chopped green onions over the chicken (reserve the green tops for serving).
  • Pour 20 ounces pineapple chunks (with their juices) evenly over the chicken, then add 1/4 cup white vinegar.
  • Add 6 chopped garlic cloves and 2 diced jalapeño peppers (with seeds) to the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
  • Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and shred with two forks. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pineapple chunks from the cooker and set them aside.
  • Pour the remaining cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a wide saucepan. Heat over medium-high and stir often until the liquid is reduced by about half and slightly thickened, about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Return the shredded chicken and the reserved pineapple chunks to the saucepan and stir to coat with the reduced glaze; heat 1–2 minutes more to combine.
  • Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat until pliable, about 20–30 seconds per side.
  • Assemble tacos: fill the warmed corn tortillas with the glazed chicken and pineapple, then top with reserved green onion tops, shredded red cabbage, crumbled feta cheese, and a squeeze of lime from the lime wedges.