Oven Roasted Jerk Chicken Kabobs

I rarely believed my friends when they would tell me how their newborn was already sleeping through the night. Until now. Our little guy Connor, who is 8 days old, sleeps through the night! We literally have to wake him every 3 hours to feed him, but he goes right back to sleep. He is so chill, I hope he stays that way. And it’s been so nice for Naomi as she recovers from pregnancy and a long labor.

Oven Roasted Jerk Chicken Kabobs | Real Food by Dad

And over these last 8 days, as we get closer to summer, I’ve had our grill on my mind. Specifically, kabobs. The problem is, I look out on our porch and see the layer of dirt on the cover, and I’m not certain I cleaned it the last time I used it. And I don’t have the time or energy to clean the darn thing. Between baseball playoffs for my 13 year old, wrapping up my 7 year old’s season, and helping Naomi with Connor, life has been a little hectic. So I spared myself the hassle and came up with an easy recipe that can be done with one arm, literally (see below). Enter my Oven Roasted Jerk Chicken Kabobs.

Matt and Connor 5.29

For a picky eater like me, I used to hear the words “jerk chicken” and I was immediately skeptical. And then I tried it. Addicted. Instantly. So instead of throwing these kabobs on the grill, with a baby in my arms, I decided to oven roast them, and they turned out awesome! The base recipe for the marinade is from America’s Test Kitchen. It’s the best one I’ve tasted, and needs little adaptation except to tweak it to your taste.

Oven Roasted Jerk Chicken Kabobs with Real Food by Dad

The original recipe was a bit spicy for me, so I turned down the heat by lessening the habanero chili by one, adding in the juice of half a lime, and finally giving the molasses an extra tablespoon. It was perfect, not too spicy and just sweet enough with a slight citrus tang. The best thing about this marinadeโ€”just throw it all in a food processor. No heavy prepping.

Oven Roasted Jerk Chicken Kabobs from Real Food by Dad

And since we have no games scheduled this Saturday, guess what I’m doing? Cleaning my grill. It’s grillin’ time, so expect some fun summer recipes over the next few weeks. That is, if Connor doesn’t suddenly start keeping us up at night. Which, since I mentioned it here, I’m sure he will!

Oven Roasted Jerk Chicken Kabobs via Real Food by Dad

Yield: 4

Oven Roasted Jerk Chicken Kabobs

Oven Roasted Jerk Chicken Kabobs by Real Food by Dad

Ingredients

  • 8 scallions, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 habanero chili
  • 1 (1inch) fresh ginger, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons all spice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1inch pieces
  • 1 large pineapple, chopped into 1 inch pieces

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Soak wood skewers in water for 20-30 minutes. Line bakesheet with foil and lightly cover with non-stick spray.
  2. Place scallion, oil, habaneros, ginger, molasses, garlic, thyme, all spice, cardamom, salt and lime juice in a food processor or blender and puree. Toss chicken in mixture. Skewer the chicken and pineapple pieces onto sticks. Place kabobs on foil and roast at 425 for 30 minutes.
  3. **NOTES** (1) Taste your marinade before you toss the chicken in it to make sure the flavor is to your liking. Add more habanero to turn up the heat, or to reduce the heat after the habanero has been added, try adding more lime juice one tablespoon at a time to neutralize some of the heat.
 

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88 comments to " Oven Roasted Jerk Chicken Kabobs "

  • Oh I just made some kebabs too! BUT, I like yours better…because grilled pineapple is life. I first tried Jerk Chicken in the Bahamas, and pretty much fell in love…these are a must try! Pinned!

  • Oh, Jerk chicken is amazing! And the oven method is perfect. Me and the grill don’t have a good relationship!

  • Rachel @ Baked by Rachel

    Such a great recipe and great idea to throw it in the oven instead of the grill. I’m kind of a grill wuss so this is perfect ๐Ÿ™‚

  • I spy a beautiful baby! That’s so amazing that he’s already sleeping through the night. And these kebabs look so good. I love fruit in savory dishes.

  • These look delicious. My husband is the BBQ’er around here so if I’m cooking the chicken it is going in the oven or on the stove.

  • A reminder that I should also clean my grill. I usually just set it to 500* so it can burn off all the gunk. ๐Ÿ™‚ Lazy but it works! haha — I’ve never made anything with jerk seasoning and I’m thinking it’s about time I did. Love the idea of skewering pineapple on there!! Hope Connor keeps sleeping like a champ!

  • HalfBakedHarvest

    I am a huge lover of using the grill, but I usually just do exactly what Ashely does. HA!
    Love that second pic and these kebobs! Pineapple and jerk anything are always good!

  • kellyjanke2

    You are super dad! 3 kids, a wife and blogging! Love the pic of you cooking and holding the baby, awesome! I love this kabob combo! When I visited NYC in April I had jerk chicken at a restaurant and fell in love, forgot how good it is! Told myself I would make it at home…yeah still have to do that. I’ve been grilling nearly every night lately, so i’ll have to make these real soon! Thanks Matt! Enjoy the weekend ahead!

  • marcie @ flavor the moments

    I love using the grill, but yeah, sometimes they do get too dirty to use! Your kebabs certainly didn’t suffer in the oven, they look amazing — grill or no grill. Pinning, and good luck with the grill cleaning. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Allison @ Clean Wellness

    Mmm I love grill season! I’m a huge kebob fan and these look fantastic! Pineapple on the grill is one of the best things about summer. And such a great photo of you and baby. Awwww!

  • I love the way you cook, Matt! You’re the American Jamie Oliver ๐Ÿ™‚ I can’t believe you have the energy for anything but take-out these days, but make sure you savor every minute of it…I’m off to see my youngest graduate college in a few days!

    • That is so awesome, thank you! I do savor every minute, my oldest just turned 13 and I am still in shock. Time goes by way too fast, as I’m sure you know. Hope you have a fantastic weekend and enjoy every minute of that graduation. So great!

  • ITheeCook

    You guys are so lucky he sleeps through the night! Mine sure didn’t.
    I am making kabobs this weekend for my sons birthday and these may just have to be on the menu!

  • Tutti Dolci

    Kabobs are a summer must, love the jerk marinade!

  • LOVE this!! It rained all day here yesterday and I would have loved the smell of these lovelies coming from my oven. Pinning!

  • disqus_VmC2D9oBAk

    Our darn ignition button broke on our grill! Which, means, i have to dangerously stick my hand down between the grates and hope the wind doesn’t blow out the match I’m nervously holding. grrrr! I love that I could just do these in the oven and they still look and taste just as good as using the grill!

    Ummm baby toes…cutest thing ever!

  • Bri | Bites of Bri

    Matt, could that picture be any cuter? Congrats on Connor’s arrival and the unexpected ample sleep. These kabobs look perfect for the grill or oven. Can’t wait to try them.

  • First off the picture of you holding Connor is priceless! Next, I love these kabobs and they are perfect since our grill just decided to die. They will be perfect to try out this weekend!

  • marlafamilyfreshcooking

    Now that is an amazing & very sweet click with you & the baby ๐Ÿ™‚ Love the kabobs & gotta try them soon ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Kate@Diethood

    Oh my gosh! The little feet!!! SO freakin’ adorable! AND the best baby, might I add… the dude is sleeping through the night! Lucky yous! ๐Ÿ™‚ Aaaand Daddy is making gorgeous kabobs!!

  • I love kabobs! These look so tasty, and it sounds like a great mix of seasonings.

    Our grill goes nonstop all year long…rain or shine! I don’t even cover it anymore! Too much of a hassle. And I NEVER clean it. I love the black charred bits that smoke and get all over the food as I’m grilling.

    That’s where the flavor is!

    Can’t wait to see what you’re going to cook up this summer!

  • Alice Choi

    Matt,
    omg, these look SO good!!! I love that you cooked these in the oven! great alternative for people who don’t have grills! or people like me who don’t know how to fire up the darn thing! My husband is our resident grill master so I don’t touch the thing! and oh my goodness!!! and Connor is sleeping thru the night already?!!! WOW that is amazing!! I hope he continues to be chill for you guys! they do say it gets easier after #2, right? ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Tessa Lindow Huff

    That pic with you and your new baby boy is perfection!!!! Congrats =)

  • These look so good, but like everyone has said..I just love that picture with you and your baby!

  • Mike @TheIronYou

    I’m such a sucker for jerk chicken, oddly enough it never occurred to me to make kebabs (and I’m kind of obsessed with kebabs!)
    I’m going to make these bad boys literally tomorrow, thanks for the inspiration man!

    PS congrats on your new born, he’s sort of the coolest and most chilled 8 days old in the world ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • Allie|Baking a Moment

    Oh my gosh, this is the cutest post ever! Those skinny little newborn legs! I miss those days. Although mine never slept through the night, especially at 8 days old! What a blessing. And this recipe is fantastic! Love the pineapple chunks, and love all the great spices and molasses. My hubby would love it! Pinning ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • I forgot about those little legs and feet too, Allie! Now the next best part will be when he gets all fat and chunky. I love that! Hope you and the family have an awesome weekend!

  • Amy @ The Little Honey Bee

    This looks amazing! I’ve never thought to do this kind of meal in the oven. I just learned how to BBQ (thanks to my Dad!) and I am obsessed. Looking forward to more grill recipes – and if they include pineapple… even better!

  • All my kids slept through the night, but I’m convinced it’s because they subconsciously knew mama was not the kind of person who wakes up nicely. So they politely let me sleep so we could all have lovely days ๐Ÿ˜‰ Congrats on your new little one! Kabobs look amazing, grill or not. I’m not too familiar with jerk seasoning so I’ll have to give this a try.

    • Thanks Sherri! It’s so true, so much of it is how you react to them. We are loving every moment so far, I forgot how cute this stage is! Have a great weekend:)

  • LOVE the marinate mixture. Never thought I can use molasses in it, but sounds so good, even better than honey. The oven grilling idea is perfect for me, since I don’t have griller at home.
    Great photo with your baby in your arms. So sweet and make me think of the word “multi-tasks”. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Thank you Maggie!I actually loved it coming from the oven, kept all the flavors in it. Don’t you love the little guy’s feet in that pic? I could stare at them all day. Have a great weekend!

  • Serene @ House Of Yumm

    These look awesome!! Love the idea of the oven grilling. And anything with a little spice to it, count me in! Loving the pic of your little man and those baby feet!!! I don’t know what it is about baby feet, I think it’s the best part. I always just want to hold them and kiss them…is that weird?? Anyway, keep up the superdad stuff! Cooking, babies, blogging, it’s a busy life!

    • Thanks Serene, I totally agree! I tell my boys to kiss those little toes while they still can, before they get all dirty like theirs! Hope you are having a great weekend:)

  • Kabobs are my absolute FAVORITE!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • I adore the pic of you holding sweet Conner while you’re marinating the kabobs! So real & so sweet! And so awesome that he’s giving y’all so much sleep! I love the idea of oven roasting the kabobs since I have no clue how to start the grill when the hubs isn’t here. Just pinned these for an easy and light summer dinner!

  • Megan {Country Cleaver}

    That photo of you holding Conner just slays me!! Adorable. And we’ve been grilling fiends – so these are right up our alley!

  • Shanna @ pineapple and coconut

    You know I love this recipe and the photo of you holding Connor while cooking is priceless!! So cute – love those baby feet!

  • LOVE this recipe, Matt. It actually looks like it came right off the grill instead of out of the oven. Glad to hear Naomi had the baby and she is doing well. Such a cute photo of you holding Connor – multitasking dad!

  • Matt,
    Congratulations on the birth of your son. I was never a big jerk chicken fan myself, that is until my boyfriend and I visited the island of St. Lucia in January. Not only did it grow on me, I also fell in love with curry chicken. I’m going to try this. No little ones here, they’re grown, so I think we’ll throw ours not he grill.

  • These kabobs look sensational. I must give this recipe to my husband. He is the grill master and now that I am in school he needs to get more recipes down to help with the cooking. I can’t tell you enough how lucky you guys are with your little one sleeping through the night, but i am sure you know that already. To me that would be like hitting the jack pot or something bc my two kids where horrible sleeping and I was like a zombie for months. It was not easy at all especially w/ the breast feeding but I am glad is all behind…sleep while you can ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Congratulations, Matt and Naomi! So glad to hear everyone is doing well and your sweet baby is sleeping through the night. These jerk chicken kabobs are just what I’m craving for dinner!

  • Wow, a baby sleeping so well at 8 days! That’s great! Sometimes it’s not luck, sometimes the parents are just great at what they do and they make that happen. ๐Ÿ™‚ I’ll assume that’s what is going on here. So how about those kabobs! I made a Carribean Jerk Chicken recipe in college and it was awful (but most things I made back then were), so I’m excited to give it another try with your recipe. I might just skip the habaneros altogether though. I’m pretty sure I’m not qualified to cook with them. ๐Ÿ™‚ Looking forward to seeing what you throw on the grill! Once you complete your archaeological excavation of it, that is. ๐Ÿ™‚ Dust in California is a very real thing!

    • Thanks Meggan! How lucky are we? He is so chill, not fussy at all, so I hope that lasts and that is a sign of his personality. Guess how far I got cleaning the grill this weekend? Not far at all actually. Baseball took over everything, so hopefully this week. It is a total excavation, what a great way to put it!

  • Aaw, love that photo of you holding baby Connor and so glad to hear that he is sleeping so well at 8 days ๐Ÿ™‚ One handed meals are perfect for sneaking in more baby cuddles. These kabobs look fantastic – love the flavors!

  • These look awesome! And so perfectly caramelized for being done in the oven. Glad your little one is sleeping so well, that makes all the difference!

  • Krista

    OH… love the baby picture!!! So sweet!

    I am totally with you on the grill thing.. I want to grill all the time.. but if its not clean then its a no go. But love how you improvised on this one.. the caramelization on the pineapple looks amazing!

    Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats

    • Thanks so much, Krista! This turned out so yummy, I was actually pretty pleasantly surprised at how good it was in the oven. Or maybe I am just being lazy about cleaning that grill!

  • Leah Davis

    I love the idea of roasting kabobs! Sometimes we just don’t feel like cleaning off the grill. Definitely want to give these a try!

  • Amber @ DessertNowDinnerLater!

    I think I need to make these!

  • Megan Haeffele

    Just wanted to say thank you for this recipe! It’s so delicious! I made these kebobs for Super Bowl (had to get some protein on the table next to all the dips and chips). Really this turned out amazing. I can’t wait to make it again.

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