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Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Jerk Chicken

Published: Apr 23, 2021 · Modified: Jan 30, 2023 by Ginny · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This 25 Minute Air Fryer Jerk Chicken will instantly become a family favorite, especially with the Pineapple Avocado Corn Salsa on top. Tender, juicy and packed full of flavor.

stack of air fried Jerk chicken topped with a fresh avocado and grilled corn salsa.
Air Fryer Jerk Chicken with Fresh Grilled Corn and Avocado Salsa
Contents hide
1 🍽️ Why This Works
2 🐔 Ingredients
3 📝 Instructions
4 ❗ Expert Tips
5 What to Serve with Jerk Chicken
6 More Air Fryer Main Dishes
7 Recipe FAQ
8 Air Fryer Jerk Chicken

Get ready to sink your teeth into this Jamaican Jerk Chicken in the Air Fryer recipe combines the perfect spicy rub onto mild chicken that is topped with refreshing pineapple avocado salsa. The mouth is satisfied with the complex flavors of hot and cold in every bite.

🍽️ Why This Works

Meal Prep Friendly | Make the salsa (minus the avocado) early in the day so you can simply toss the chicken in the rub and start cooking. If you choose to meal prep this one, it will take you about 10 minutes for dinner.

Packed with Flavor | This is one dish that every single bit is just jam packed full of flavor and it is so delicious. The jerk seasoning mixed with the salsa makes you feel like you are sitting on a tropical island.

Easy | This is a super easy to make and even though the salsa has more ingredients than we normally choose to use on Savor + Savvy, it is so worth it. Don’t let that stop you. It only takes about 10 minutes total to cut everything up but I do prefer to cut it early and then assemble at dinner time to save time.

🐔 Ingredients

ingredient photo showing trimmed chicken thighs and jerk seasoning on a baking sheet with labels.
Make the Jerk Seasoning Ahead of Time!

Chicken Thighs | Choose chicken thighs or breasts. They both work great in this recipe. Just cube them up in the same size and you are set.

Jerk Seasoning | This homemade jerk seasoning takes about three minutes to find everything in your cupboard but it makes a huge batch and can be stored for up to a year in a sealed container. Once you taste it, it becomes a quick addiction though. Make it with a more Caribbean Jerk Chicken by using a different rub like we did here.

📝 Instructions

Pineapple Avocado Corn Salsa

process photos showing how to combine all of the ingredients to make the grilled corn and avocado salsa.
Simple Dump-and-Go Instructions

Step One: Chop all of the ingredients and place into a bowl and gently stir to combine.

Step Two: The salsa (minus the avocado) can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Note: Don’t add avocado until you are ready to serve. If you don’t think you will eat all of the salsa in one sitting, just top each serving with it. Everything except the avocado does well in the fridge.

Jerk Seasoning

Step One: Combine all of the ingredients into a bowl and stir. If you don’t have onion powder, there are several substitutes you can use.

Step Two: Store in a sealed container until ready to use. Can be stored for up to a year.

PRO TIP: This seasoning is perfect to make Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings simply by changing up the cut of chicken you choose.

Jerk Chicken

process photos showing cutting the chicken thighs into pieces, coating them with a homemade jerk seasoning, and air frying it.
Quick Shake to Season and Air Frying

Step One: Cut up the chicken into 1-2 inch cubes. Try to make them equal in size. Place in a Ziploc bag and pour 1-2 tbsp of jerk seasoning and toss to coat. There might be a need to add more depending on how big the chunks are and how much chicken is in the bag.

Step Two: Heat the air fryer up to 390 degrees. When it is preheated, place the chicken inside and cook for seven minutes, flipping half way through. Each air fryer cooks slightly different so always check a couple minutes early to see how they are doing.

OPTIONAL: We didn’t do it this time but feel free to use a bit of spray olive oil to make these even crispier.

Step Three: Remove them from the air fryer and serve with a big scoop of the salsa.

❗ Expert Tips

Meal prep this so it goes as fast as possible at dinner time. Besides prepping the salsa, consider cutting up the chicken and getting it ready to toss with the rub so it can quickly go into the air fryer when you get home.

As mentioned, don’t add avocado until ready to serve as they turn brown and mushy pretty quick. There are tips and tricks to help keep them green, but at times it can be easier to just cut as you go.

This recipe may need to be done in batches. If that is the case for your machine, keep the chicken warm in a 170 degree oven.

If you choose to use chicken breasts, pound them thinner so they don’t dry out when cooking.

Use the rub on chicken wings or legs as well.

What to Serve with Jerk Chicken

We love to serve the chicken that is a little bit spicy with the Cool Cucumber Salad or Avocado Tomato Salad. Yes, there’s avocado in the salsa but you can never get enough! We also suggest pairing this with a batch of Black Bean Corn Salsa and chips.

More Air Fryer Main Dishes

Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken

Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin

Air Fryer Turkey Legs

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Air Fryer Tri Tip

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Air Fryer Kielbasa

Recipe FAQ

If I don’t want the salsa, what else can I do with this chicken?

Consider adding a sauce to it or a simple mango salsa that only has 2-4 ingredients to cut down on time of complication of the salsa. Serving this over plain or cilantro lime rice would be amazing for meal prep lunches.

Can I use store bought jerk seasoning?

Sure thing. We love making our own but feel free to buy the jar from the store.

What should I add if I want this a little spicier?

Add a little bit of cayenne pepper to the rub. Taste and adjust to your taste buds.

How long does the chicken last in the refrigerator?

Leftovers are good for about three days in the refrigerator.

What does jerk taste like?

Jerk chicken is spicy, smokey and a little bit of heat to the flavor. You can control the heat by reducing the amount of peppers you add.

Why did my chicken dry out?

The biggest reason is you cooked it too long. The other reason is that if there isn’t enough moisture on the chicken, it will cook up dry. This is why it’s best to give your meat a quick spritz of olive oil before placing in the basket. If the chicken looks dry, spray it with the olive oil spray to help give it some moisture.

Can I put raw chicken in the air fryer?

Absolutely! The air fryer cooks at a high enough temperature and as long as you cook chicken to a minimum of 165 degrees, the minimum safe internal temperature by the USDA, then it is good to go. Always check the chicken by cutting it open or using a food thermometer.

We not only cook small pieces like these in the fryer but we have done whole chickens and meal prep chicken as well.

closeup of the jerk chicken and chopped tomatoes, corn, avocado and pineapple.
The Sweet Salad Complements the Jerk Seasoning

Related Recipes

  • Air Fryer Turkey Breast
  • Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich (Chick-fil-A Copycat)
  • Air Fryer Whole Chicken
  • Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
stack of air fried Jerk chicken topped with a fresh avocado and grilled corn salsa.

Air Fryer Jerk Chicken

This quick, easy and crazy delicous Jerk Chicken with Pineapple Avocado and Corn Salsa will become a family favorite as it tastes like you are on a tropical island. You are going to love every tender, juicy bite.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Caribbean
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 378kcal
Author: Ginny

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

Pineapple Avocado Corn Salsa

  • 1 can Corn
  • 3 Avocados cut into one inch chunks
  • 1 cup Pineapple cut into one inch chunks
  • 1 Jalapeño diced small
  • 1 cup Tomatoes we used vine on, cut in half
  • 2 Sweet Peppers finely chopped
  • ¼ cup Red Onion finely chopped
  • ½ Lime juiced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil

Jamaican Jerk Rub

  • ¼ cup Dried Chives
  • 1 tbsp Kosher Salt
  • 1 tbsp Dried Onion Flakes
  • 1 tbsp Ground Ginger
  • 1 tbsp Onion Powder
  • 1 tbsp Thyme
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp All Spice
  • 1 tbsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp Ground Cloves
  • ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes pinch between fingers to release flavor

Chicken

  • 4 Chicken Thighs substitute breasts
  • Spray Olive Oil optional

Instructions

Jerk Rub

  • Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir. Store in a sealed container for up to 12 months.

Jerk Chicken

  • Cut up chicken into 1-2 inch cubes. Place in a Ziploc bag and add 1-3 tbsp of the jerk seasoning and shake to coat. You can always add more.
  • Preheat Air Fryer to 390 degrees. Place the jerk chicken bites into the air fryer once it has time to heat up and cook for a total of seven minutes, flipping half way through. Remove and make a pile on plate and top with the Pineapple Avocado Salsa
  • Optional: Use spray olive oil to gently spray just a little bit on top of chicken before you put in air fryer to make it more crispy.

Pineapple Avocado Salsa

  • Combine all of the ingredients into a bowl and gently stir. Serve over a big pile of jerk chicken. If you are not going to eat all of the salsa in one sitting (it makes a lot) then only add enough avocado for this one sitting. The rest can keep in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days without the avocado. Add the avocado as you eat it so it is fresh.

Notes

Meal Prep: Meal prep this so it goes as fast as possible at dinner time. Besides prepping the salsa, consider cutting up the chicken and getting it ready to toss with the rub so it can quickly go into the air fryer when you get home. 
Avocado: Don’t add avocado until ready to serve as they turn brown and mushy pretty quick. There are tips and tricks to help keep them green but at times it can be easier to just cut as you go. 
Batches: This recipe may need to be done in batches. If that is the case for your machine, keep the chicken warm in a 170 degree oven so they are warm but minimize them to continue to cook too much. 
Chicken Breast Option: If you choose to do chicken breasts, pound them thinner so they don’t dry out when cooking. 
How to Make Rub Spicier: Add a little bit of cayenne pepper to the rub. Taste and adjust to your taste buds. 
Storage: Leftovers are good for about three days in the refrigerator. 
Salsa Options: Use whatever kind of salsa you like. Mix up the ingredients of this one to your liking. This recipe is flexible and use it as such. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 933mg | Potassium: 814mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1536IU | Vitamin C: 61mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @savorandsavvy or tag #savorandsavvy!
Air Fryer Jerk ChickenAir Fryer Jerk Chicken
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About Ginny

Hi! My name is Ginny and I know how busy life can be! I am a mom working hard to prepare healthy meals for my family that is always on the go!

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