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The finished Instant Pot Jerk Chicken is beautifully plated on a white dish over a white marble cooktop. The caramelized, glossy sauce coats each piece of chicken, garnished with fresh herbs for a vibrant, flavorful presentation.

Instant Pot Jerk Chicken Recipe

This Instant Pot Jerk Chicken delivers bold Caribbean flavors in just 30 minutes! Juicy, tender chicken coated in a smoky, spicy-sweet jerk sauce—perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Jamaican
Servings 6
Calories 209 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Mixing bowl
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon Pickapeppa sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 chicken thighs or drumsticks

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, Pickapeppa sauce, jerk seasoning, and salt to make the marinade.
    A glass mixing bowl on a white marble cooktop, filled with ketchup, dark brown sugar, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, Pickapeppa sauce, Jamaican jerk seasoning, and salt. A whisk stirs the thick, vibrant marinade, blending the rich flavors together.
  • Coat the chicken thighs or drumsticks evenly with the marinade and let them sit for at least 10 minutes (or longer for deeper flavor).
    Raw chicken thighs or drumsticks rest in a glass bowl on a white marble cooktop, coated in a deep, dark jerk marinade. A hand mixes the chicken, ensuring every piece is fully covered in the flavorful sauce.
  • Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and lightly brown the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side to enhance the flavor.
    An Instant Pot sits on a white marble cooktop, set to Sauté mode. Chicken thighs or drumsticks sizzle inside, developing a golden brown sear. A pair of tongs is ready to turn the chicken for even browning.
  • Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, close the lid, and set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (High) for 15 minutes.
    The Instant Pot on a white marble cooktop is filled with seared chicken and the remaining jerk marinade. The lid is being secured, locking in the flavors before pressure cooking begins.
  • Allow a natural release for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
    The Instant Pot screen on a white marble cooktop displays '15 minutes' on High Pressure mode. A small amount of steam escapes from the vent, indicating that the cooking process is underway.
  • Open the lid, stir the chicken in the sauce, and let it thicken on Sauté mode for 2-3 minutes, if needed.
    The Instant Pot lid is being lifted on a white marble cooktop, revealing tender, juicy jerk chicken simmering in a thickened sauce. A wooden spoon stirs the glossy, spicy marinade around the cooked chicken.
  • Enjoy your juicy, spicy, and sweet Instant Pot Jerk Chicken!
    The finished Instant Pot Jerk Chicken is beautifully plated on a white dish over a white marble cooktop. The caramelized, glossy sauce coats each piece of chicken, garnished with fresh herbs for a vibrant, flavorful presentation.