Keto Jerk Chicken

Name: Keto Jerk Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 chicken legs (drumsticks); 1 bundle green onions, white and green parts; 1 small shallot, peeled; 6 garlic cloves, peeled; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 inch piece of ginger root, peeled; ½ cup avocado oil; 2 tablespoons ground allspice; 2 tablespoons liquid aminos or soy sauce; 2 tablespoons golden monkfruit or Swerve; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 1 tablespoon salt; 1 tablespoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon dried thyme

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published August 9, 2020 • Updated November 22, 2025

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Reader Rating

4.7 Stars (3 Reviews) 3 Comments

BBQ Dairy Free Easy

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Say goodbye to bland chicken and hello to your new favorite grilled chicken recipe! This keto jerk chicken recipe makes for an absolutely delightful keto dinner!

a bunch of grilled marinaded chicken legs

jerk chicken on a white plater on a patio table

close up of perfectly cooked grilled keto chicken

crispy grilled chicken that was marinaded

50 Mins

Nutrition Facts

Servings

581

Calories

42.6g

Fat

46.7g

Protein

6.6g

Net Carb

8.9g

Total Carbs

Disclaimer: The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

Keto Jerk Chicken Ingredients

8 chicken legs (drumsticks)
1 bundle green onions, white and green parts
1 small shallot, peeled
6 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 inch piece of ginger root, peeled
½ cup avocado oil
2 tablespoons ground allspice
2 tablespoons liquid aminos or soy sauce
2 tablespoons golden monkfruit or Swerve
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried thyme

Keto Jerk Chicken Directions

STEP

1

Pat dry chicken

Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
STEP

2

Make marinade

To prepare the marinade, combine the remaining ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse to combine.
STEP

3

Marinade chicken

Add chicken to a ziploc bag or baking dish and coat each piece with the marinade. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
STEP

4

Grill chicken

Bring chicken to room temperature before cooking. Heat grill to medium heat (about 250- 300 degrees). Add chicken to the grill grate and cover over indirect heat. Let cook for 30-35 minutes undisturbed.
STEP

5

Finish chicken

Uncover grill. Turn the drumsticks. Cover and continue cooking and turning drumsticks every 10 minutes until chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

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Low Carb Jerk Chicken Recipe

Keto jerk chicken makes for the perfect summer dinner, even when having guests over! Whereas typical marinaded or dry rub chicken recipes are made with a lot of high sugar sauces and rubs, jerk chicken can be made very keto friendly. This is also a very easy to make keto dinner recipe which makes crispy and moist chicken, with just the right amount of seasoning. It will surely be a hit amongst any guests which you’re hosting! Jerk chicken is made using a grill and is full of flavours originating from Jamaica and the Caribbean! Can’t go on vacation? Bring the Caribbean to your home! This is the perfect keto dinner as it is low carb, delicious and also filling! This is also a dinner which is typically liked by a lot of people, so it could also be a great option for a summertime weekday dinner as it doesn’t take a long time to cook and the whole family can enjoy the same meal together! Some keto friendly side dishes which can be used to compliment this dish are grilled asparagus, keto coleslaw and jicama fries.

What is Jerk Chicken?

Jerk chicken is typically a very spicy dish, but the spiciness can be changed to your liking, or to whomever you’re serving the dish to. The seasoning can be made a bit milder by adding less chilli. You can also add more chilli if you prefer spicy food! This recipe calls for starting the preparation of the chicken and the marinade from a day before. This is because the chicken will have more time to soak up the marinade and in turn make the dish even tastier! Thus, it is recommended that if you know that you will be making Jerk chicken the next day, to buy all of the ingredients and start preparing a day in advance, for the flavors to come together overnight.

Jerk Seasoning

The term ‘jerk’ originates from a style of cooking coming from Jamaica. It is also popular in other Caribbean and West Indian countries. Jerk seasoning is a simple spice with a lot of flavour. This seasoning can be both a spicy dry rub, but also a wet marinade. Jerk seasoning is typically made with brown sugar, which balances out the spiciness and is what gives it a sweet Jamaican taste. But not to worry, this grilled chicken recipe is still keto friendly and we use a brown sugar substitute that is zero net carbs instead of real brown sugar. The brown sugar replacement I typically use is Lakanto Golden Monkfruit. It is caramely and sweet and tastes very similar to brown sugar. Another option is Brown Swerve. The typical main ingredient used for this type of seasoning is chicken. However, sometimes it is also used as a marinade for pork, beef or even seafood.

Best Cut of Chicken for Jerk Chicken

In order to make this grilled keto chicken recipe, it is best to use dark meat such as chicken thighs or legs. These cuts of chicken are recommended as they have a higher fat content than leaner meats like, chicken breast. Moreover, since chicken breast does not contain a lot of fat, it tends to dry out faster. On the other hand, chicken thighs act better at retaining moisture due to the amount of fat in them, making them juicier and full of flavour. Due to their fat content, chicken thighs or legs are always a better choice on a keto diet as they keep you feeling full for longer.

chicken legs marinading in jerk seasoning in a bowl

Oven Baked Jerk Chicken

This chicken can be cooked in the oven if a grill is not available. In order to get the perfect jerk chicken, bake at 300 degrees for about 45 minutes or until internal temperature of the chicken is 165 Degrees. Do keep in mind that the size of the chicken legs affects the time it takes for them to be properly baked. The larger the chicken leg size, the longer it would take for them to be ready. Moreover, 300 degrees is also the right temperature for the chicken legs to remain crispy! If you opt for oven baking the chicken, leaving it for a few minutes under the broiler at the end can help to crispen up the skin and it will also give the chicken that blackened appearance which it would have if it were cooked on a grill!

– What Internal Temperature Should You Cook Chicken Legs to?

All chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165 Degrees for it to be considered safe to eat. If you prefer your chicken to be slightly more cooked, then you can keep it cooking for a few minutes longer. In order to check the temperature of the chicken legs, insert a meat thermometer into the chicken legs, alongside the bone. This will give you the most accurate internal temperature. It is recommended that you use a meat thermometer instead of just checking the colour of the chicken as the colour may vary, whereas the thermometer will ensure proper doneness.

a meat thermometer stuck in a chicken leg that is on the grill

Other Keto Grill Recipes

If the weather is warm where you are at and you fill like grilling, here are some other delicious keto grill reicpes to try:

Keto Jerk Chicken: FAQS

Can I use chicken breasts instead of drumsticks for this keto jerk chicken recipe?

Absolutely! You can use chicken breasts if you prefer, but keep in mind that they may cook faster than drumsticks, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.

What can I substitute for liquid aminos in this recipe?

If you don't have liquid aminos, you can use soy sauce or tamari as a substitute. Just be mindful of the sodium content, especially if you're on a low-sodium diet.

How should I store any leftovers from this keto jerk chicken?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave!

Is this keto jerk chicken spicy?

The spice level can vary based on the type of chili powder you use. If you're sensitive to heat, consider reducing the amount of chili powder or adding more avocado oil to balance it out.

Can I make the marinade ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the marinade ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just make sure to marinate the chicken for at least a few hours for the best flavor!

Nutritional information & Macros

Amount Per Serving
Calories	581
Fat	42.6g
Protein	46.7g
Total Carbs	8.9g
Net Carbs	6.6g

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About Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis and a Pharm.D., she has over 11 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism. She is the author of the Protein Packed cookbook, published by Victory Belt Publishing.

Learn more about Annie →

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