Ingredients:

For the Jamaican Jerk Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup Jamaican jerk seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Black Beans:

• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken:

• In a bowl, mix the Jamaican jerk seasoning, olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
• Coat the chicken breasts or thighs with the marinade, ensuring they are well covered.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally, overnight for maximum flavor.

2. Preheat the Grill:

• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates to prevent sticking.

3. Grill the Chicken:

• Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off.
• Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes per side or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and has nice grill marks.
• While grilling, you can baste the chicken with any remaining marinade for extra flavor.

4. Prepare the Black Beans:

• While the chicken is grilling, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent about 3-4 minutes.
• Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
• Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the spices become fragrant.
• Add the drained and rinsed black beans to the skillet.
• Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the beans to heat through and absorb the flavors.

5. Serve:

• Once the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char, remove it from the grill.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it into strips or serving whole.
• Serve the grilled Jamaican jerk chicken alongside the seasoned black beans.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for a burst of freshness (optional).

Enjoy this flavorful and spicy Jamaican jerk chicken with a side of seasoned black beans. It’s a perfect combination of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors that will satisfy your taste buds.