America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Spicy Jamaican Jerk Dipping Sauce

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

20 minutes

Yield

Enough for 3 to 4 pounds of chicken

Spicy Jamaican Jerk Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

¼ cup lime juice from 2 limes¼ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)1 medium clove garlic, skin left on1 medium habanero chile 2 medium scallions, white and green parts, minced½ medium onion, minced1 ½ inch piece fresh ginger, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)½ teaspoon dried thyme pinch ground allspice

Instructions

  1. Stir together lime juice and brown sugar until dissolved in small bowl; set aside. Toast garlic and habanero in small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking pan frequently, until blistered, about 8 minutes. Peel and mince garlic; seed and mince habanero. Combine garlic, habanero, scallions, onion, ginger, thyme, and allspice in second small bowl, stir in 2 tablespoons lime-brown sugar mixture; set aside as dipping sauce for cooked chicken. Follow recipe for Simple Broiled Chicken, Simple Broiled Chicken Breasts, or Simple Broiled Chicken Thighs, brushing chicken pieces with remaining lime/brown sugar mixture before moving to upper oven rack to crisp skin. Serve chicken, passing dipping sauce separately.
Spicy Jamaican Jerk Dipping Sauce

Spicy Jamaican Jerk Dipping Sauce

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Time

20 minutes

Yield

Enough for 3 to 4 pounds of chicken

Ingredients

¼ cup lime juice from 2 limes
¼ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
1 medium clove garlic, skin left on
1 medium habanero chile
2 medium scallions, white and green parts, minced
½ medium onion, minced
1 ½ inch piece fresh ginger, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
½ teaspoon dried thyme
pinch ground allspice

Ingredients

¼ cup lime juice from 2 limes
¼ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
1 medium clove garlic, skin left on
1 medium habanero chile
2 medium scallions, white and green parts, minced
½ medium onion, minced
1 ½ inch piece fresh ginger, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
½ teaspoon dried thyme
pinch ground allspice

Ingredients

¼ cup lime juice from 2 limes
¼ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
1 medium clove garlic, skin left on
1 medium habanero chile
2 medium scallions, white and green parts, minced
½ medium onion, minced
1 ½ inch piece fresh ginger, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
½ teaspoon dried thyme
pinch ground allspice

Why This Recipe Works

Tart lime juice tempers the heat of habanero and the sharpness of scallions, garlic, ginger, and onion. Thyme adds a bit of earthy herbiness, and allspice and brown sugar round out the flavors of the sauce with warm sweetness.

Instructions

  1. Stir together lime juice and brown sugar until dissolved in small bowl; set aside. Toast garlic and habanero in small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking pan frequently, until blistered, about 8 minutes. Peel and mince garlic; seed and mince habanero. Combine garlic, habanero, scallions, onion, ginger, thyme, and allspice in second small bowl, stir in 2 tablespoons lime-brown sugar mixture; set aside as dipping sauce for cooked chicken. Follow recipe for Simple Broiled Chicken, Simple Broiled Chicken Breasts, or Simple Broiled Chicken Thighs, brushing chicken pieces with remaining lime/brown sugar mixture before moving to upper oven rack to crisp skin. Serve chicken, passing dipping sauce separately.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.