Name: Spicy Jerk Chicken Sandwich With Easy Slaw
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs; 4 Sandwich Buns- I used Brioche buns; Pineapple Slices - grilled if desired; 3 Tbsp Jerk Seasoning; 2 tsp Minced Garlic; 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos; 2 Tbsp Olive Oil; 2 Tbsp Lime Juice; ¾ Cup Mayo; 3 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar; 2 Tbsp Honey; 2 tsp Dijon Mustard; 3 Cup Coleslaw Mix

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These Jerk Chicken Sandwiches are full of bold, spicy flavor balanced by a cool, creamy slaw. The chicken is marinated in a blend of warm Caribbean-inspired spices, grilled or pan-seared until juicy, then layered on a soft bun with a simple crunchy slaw. It’s a perfect mix of heat and freshness that makes every bite irresistible.

I love a sandwich that is full of flavor and texture. This sandwich combines flavorful juicy jerk chicken, cool crisp slaw, and sweet pineapple for a combination that everyone loves! These are a great recipe to throw on the grill on a warm summer night, or to enjoy during the cooler weather for a little taste of sunshine.

This is a great recipe to prep ahead of time to have ready for a busy weeknight. You can have your chicken marinating and ready to go to get dinner on the table in no time!

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Ingredients for this Jerk Chicken Sandwich

Here’s what you’ll need to make these Jamaican jerk chicken sandwiches. I’ve included ingredient notes and substitutions. For exact measurements see the printable recipe card below.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs – Boneless chicken thighs are a great option for this recipe. They are juicy and full of flavor and they taste great in a marinade. You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts. If you use them you’ll want to have them thin sliced to make a better sandwich filling.

Sandwich Buns– You can use your favorite sandwich buns. I used Brioche buns but you can use any buns you like. Hawaiian rolls are a great option.

Pineapple Slices– Pineapple adds a bit of sweetness to these sandwiches. You can use canned pineapple or fresh pineapple. I like to use slices so that they are easy to grill.

Jerk Seasoning – Jerk seasoning is a classic blend of spicy and aromatic spices that results in delicious flavor. You can use store bought jerk seasoning blend, or you can make your own with a recipe like this.

Minced Garlic – You can mince fresh garlic cloves or use jarred minced garlic.

Soy Sauce – Soy sauce adds a great umami flavor to this chicken. If you need a soy free option you can use coconut aminos. Or for lower sodium option you can use a low salt soy sauce.

Olive Oil – You can use your favorite olive oil for this recipe. If you don’t have olive oil the next best option is avocado or coconut oil.

Lime Juice – This adds a nice bit of tartness to the chicken marinade and helps to tenderize the chicken. You can use fresh lime juice or bottled lime juice.

Mayo – This is the base for the coleslaw dressing. I like to use full fat so that the dressing is nice and creamy. If you prefer you can use low fat, or you can use salad dressing (like Miracle Whip)

Apple Cider Vinegar – This makes the dressing tangy. If you don’t like apple cider vinegar you can use a little more lime juice.

Honey – This adds sweetness to the slaw dressing. You can substitute agave nectar or maple syrup if you’d like.

Dijon Mustard – This adds a nice tang to the slaw. Dijon mustard is really best for this recipe but if you need a substitution you can use brown mustard.

Coleslaw Mix – I like to use pre-shredded coleslaw mix because it is super quick and easy. You can also use freshly shredded cabbage if you’d like.

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Here’s how to make these Easy Jamaican Jerk Sandwiches

To Marinade the Chicken –

Pour the olive oil into a medium size bowl. Add in the lime juice, soy sauce, minced garlic and jerk seasoning. Stir well until everything is well mixed. This a thick marinade, almost like a wet rub so it will be thick.

Place the chicken in a large zip top bag and pour the marinade over. Close the bag and knead to cover the chicken evenly with the marinade. Place in the fridge and marinate for 8 hours or overnight. If possible flip the chicken half way through the marinating time so it is evenly seasoned.

To Cook the Chicken-

The chicken can be cooked in a skillet or on a grill. Lightly oil your surface and heat to medium high heat. Place the chicken on your cooking surface and cook 4-5 minutes. Flip and continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. The internal temperature should be 165when taken with a meat thermometer. Set aside.

To Grill the Pineapple-

Lightly oil the grill. Over a medium/high flame grill the pineapple for 2-3 minutes, flip and continue grilling for another 3-5 minutes or until grill marks appear and the fruit is warm and tender.

To Make the Slaw & Sandwiches-

In a small bowl whisk together the Mayo, apple cider vinegar, honey and Dijon mustard. Stir until everything is well mixed.

Place the slaw mix in a large bowl, pour over the dressing and toss to coat.

Toast the buns if desired.

To assemble the sandwiches place a slice of pineapple, a piece of chicken and a spoonful of slaw on a bun and enjoy!

FAQ, Tips and Variations

Add more toppings-

These juicy jerk chicken sandwiches are delicious with the coleslaw and pineapple slices. But they are also tasty topped with other toppings. Classics like lettuce and tomato are great. If you like onion a slice of red onion is an excellent addition. We also love to use creamy avocado slices in contrast with the spicy chicken.

Add extra heat –

These have bit of heat but aren’t super spicy. If you like a lot of spice you can add a spicy jerk sauce to the sandwiches. You can also dial up the heat by adding extra cayenne to the chicken marinade.