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Bring bold island flavor to your table with this Jamaican Spatchcock Jerk Whole Roast Chicken—a juicy, golden-roasted bird that’s seasoned to perfection and glazed with a sweet-spicy maple jerk BBQ sauce. This whole chicken recipe starts with a flavorful jerk dry rub, fresh garlic, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers, and a vibrant jerk marinade that infuses the meat with authentic Jamaican heat. Spatchcocking ensures even cooking and crispy skin, while a buttery chicken stock base keeps every bite tender and moist. Finished with a sticky maple BBQ jerk glaze, this roast chicken is smoky, spicy, sweet, and irresistible. Make ahead, Dairy-free, and brining options!
I rarely get the chance to make a whole chicken, but it feels like the best moment whenever I do! It’s a labor of love that’s absolutely worth every bit of the time and process. This Jamaican Spatchcock Jerk Whole Roast Chicken puts a bold, flavorful twist on the usual roast, perfect for whenever you want to wow your table. The smoky jerk dry seasoning combined with a sweet maple bbq jerk glaze creates the most irresistible balance—so much flavor without being overly spicy.
Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday dinner, this show-stopping centerpiece is both comforting and exciting. With make-ahead and brining options, it’s a stress-free dish that delivers restaurant-quality flavor at home. Pair it with classic Caribbean sides like rice + peas, roasted vegetables, or plantains for a true Jamaican feast. Whether you’re looking for a holiday main course, a bold twist on roast chicken, or a jerk chicken recipe that feeds a crowd, this spatchcock style bird will be the star of the table. If roasting a whole chicken isn’t your thing, no worries! My Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken or Baked Jerk Chicken is an easier weeknight option that still packs all those amazing jerk flavors. Jerk seasoning is a core part of my Jamaican roots, and every bite feels like a taste of home.
Of course, I do have this Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken for a more traditional route with a sweeter undertone if you're into that more.
Jerk Chicken is a beloved Jamaican dish, traditionally paired with hard-dough bread or rice and peas. It’s all about bold flavor, with the chicken marinated in jerk seasoning— a mix of allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, garlic, and more.
While I love Grace Foods’ jerk marinade for convenience, making your own is easy and lets you adjust the spice level to your liking. Stay tuned—I’ll share how to whip up your own jerk seasoning + marinade later in this post!
A spatchcock chicken (also called a butterflied chicken) is a whole bird that has had the backbone removed so it can be flattened before cooking. This simple technique allows the chicken to roast more evenly, cook faster, and develop beautifully crispy skin. By spreading the chicken out in a single layer, the heat circulates more effectively—no more undercooked thighs or overcooked breasts.
Spatchcocking is especially popular for grilling, roasting, and smoking because it maximizes surface area, giving you more room for marinades, rubs, and glazes to penetrate the meat. In this Jamaican Jerk Spatchcock Roast Chicken recipe, the method ensures that every bite—from the juicy breast to the flavorful dark meat—absorbs the bold jerk seasoning and sticky maple BBQ glaze.
This method is also a great alternative to roasting a traditional whole chicken or even turkey during the holidays. Not only does it save time in the oven, but it also delivers a restaurant-style presentation that looks as impressive as it tastes.
If you’re craving a bold, flavorful roast chicken recipe, this is it! Spatchcocking makes the chicken cook evenly, while the jerk marinade, fresh garlic, thyme, and fiery scotch bonnet peppers infuse authentic Jamaican flavor. The sweet-spicy maple BBQ glaze adds a sticky finish that takes this bird over the top. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday dinner, this recipe is both comforting and impressive.
The key to getting your Jerk Whole Roast Chicken to be super moist + flavorful throughout is to brine the bird ahead of time (if you're into doing this process) once it's clean and rinsed.
For this particular recipe, I didn't brine my chicken, BUT I did season and marinate my chicken for 2 days, which is another way to get all of those flavors full infused. Then, you'll remove it from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or so, and then begin rubbing the softened butter and jerk seasoning atop/inside the chicken and end it by stuffing the inside with the fresh herbs and chopped veggies.
You can totally make this chicken with veggies like potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and carrots or choose to omit everything and just cook the chicken alone. Let the oven do it's magic + wallah!
Here’s what you need to prepare this Jamaican Spatchcock Jerk Whole Roast Chicken today:
If you’re looking for more detailed information, I’ve got my own Jamaican Jerk Dry Rub and Jerk Marinade recipes ready for you to dive into. The marinade features classic Jamaican flavors, including pimento seeds and the fiery kick of Scotch bonnet peppers. Simply toss everything into a high-powered blender and blend on high until smooth and well combined. As for the dry rub, it’s all about gathering your ingredients and mixing them together—voilà, you’re all set!
Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Jamaican Spatchcock Jerk Whole Roast Chicken. Everything from my fave baking sheet, skillet, mixing bowls, cooking thongs, cooking utensils, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Spatchcocking (also called butterflying) is the best technique for getting crispy skin and evenly cooked roast chicken. By removing the backbone and flattening the bird, you reduce cook time and allow the jerk seasoning and maple BBQ glaze to infuse every bite. Here are a few pro tips:
Spatchcocking might feel intimidating at first, but once you try it, you’ll never go back—especially when making Jamaican jerk roast chicken that deserves even cooking and bold, smoky flavor.
Brining your chicken before roasting is one of the easiest ways to guarantee juicy, flavorful meat every single time. A brine works by soaking the chicken in a salted, seasoned liquid that tenderizes the meat and infuses it with extra flavor—perfect for balancing the heat of jerk seasoning.
Simple Jerk-Inspired Brine
How to Brine
Tip: Don’t skip drying the chicken! Moisture on the skin will prevent it from crisping. After brining, let the chicken rest uncovered in the fridge for an extra 1–2 hours to dry the skin naturally before roasting.
A good brine not only keeps your chicken tender but also ensures the jerk flavors, smoky glaze, and crispy skin shine through with every bite.
The glaze is what sets this recipe apart from traditional jerk chicken. By combining pure maple syrup, BBQ sauce, and jerk marinade, you get a sticky, caramelized finish with layers of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavor. Brush it over the chicken during the last 10–15 minutes of roasting for the perfect glossy coating.
You can serve this centerpiece-worthy Jamaican Spatchcock Jerk Whole Roast Chicken as a holiday entree with your favorite seasonal sides. I'll be serving this whole chicken with family favorites like:
Spatchcocking helps the chicken cook in about 75 minutes depending on the size of the bird. Roast at 400°F for a crispy golden skin while keeping the meat juicy. Always use a meat thermometer—165°F in the thickest part of the breast ensures it’s fully cooked.
Making traditional jerk doesn't have to be left to only chicken. In Jamaica, it's also used for other types of meat and the possibility of switching things up with another meat or alternative is also a good idea:
Make-Ahead: You can spatchcock, season, and marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance for even deeper flavor.
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Spatchcock chicken freezes well for up to 2 months.
Making a whole roast chicken for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday dinner doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a little planning, this recipe can be stress-free and holiday-ready:
Spatchcock in Advance
You can spatchcock the chicken a day or two before cooking. Store it in the fridge covered, then season and roast when ready. This saves time on busy holiday mornings.
Brine or Marinate Overnight
For the juiciest, most flavorful meat, brine or marinate the chicken the night before. Not only does this cut down on prep work the day of, but it also allows the jerk spices to really soak in.
Make the Glaze Ahead
Prepare your maple BBQ jerk glaze a day or two early and store it in a jar in the fridge. Warm it slightly before brushing onto the chicken during roasting.
Roast on a Rack
Placing the chicken on a wire rack inside the roasting pan keeps the skin crisp and prevents soggy bottoms. Plus, it frees up the pan juices for gravy or drizzling over rice.
Use a Meat Thermometer
Don’t guess if the chicken is done—always check with a thermometer. You’re looking for 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thighs.
Rest Before Carving
Once roasted, let the chicken rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring every piece is moist and flavorful.
Plan Your Oven Space
If you’re making multiple holiday dishes, spatchcock chicken is perfect because it cooks faster than a traditional whole bird. That means more oven time for sides and desserts.
Leftovers = Meal Prep Gold
Turn extra chicken into sandwiches, wraps, soups, or salads. During the holidays, it’s a lifesaver to have ready-to-go protein for the next day’s meals.
With these tips, your Jamaican Spatchcock Jerk Whole Roast Chicken will be the easiest—and most impressive—dish on your holiday table.
To store any leftovers, cut the chicken into pieces and add it to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. To reheat, add servings to an oven until
Yup. Store leftovers in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven to keep the skin crisp.
I used a smaller whole chicken (b/n 5-10 lbs, however, if you choose to use a larger size----simply double ingredients for the marinade + glaze).
I recommend cooking your chicken (regardless of size) for 20-25 minutes per pound. For much larger chickens, you can always "spatchcock" it, which flattens and opens it up for a better cook through.
Use a meat thermometer for best results. The thickest part of the breast should reach 165°F, while the thighs should reach about 175°F.
Yes! You can spatchcock and season the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered in the fridge until ready to roast. You can also make the maple BBQ jerk glaze 1–2 days ahead.
Spatchcocking isn’t required, but it helps the chicken cook faster and more evenly while giving you crispier skin. If you prefer, you can roast the chicken whole—just adjust the cooking time.
Scotch bonnets are traditional for Jamaican jerk chicken, but you can substitute with habanero peppers for a similar fruity heat. If you want less spice, use jalapeños or leave the peppers out.
Absolutely! This recipe works beautifully with turkey, especially for Thanksgiving. Just note that roasting time will increase depending on the size of your turkey.
Brining is optional but highly recommended for juicy, flavorful meat. If short on time, you can skip the brine and go straight to marinating with jerk seasoning.
Absolutely! Simply reduce or omit the scotch bonnet peppers and use a milder jerk seasoning blend. The maple BBQ glaze will still give you a sweet, smoky finish.
Classic pairings include rice and peas, fried plantains, roasted sweet potatoes, sautéed greens, roasted butternut squash, and cornbread. For holidays, you can also serve it with stuffing, mashed potatoes, or mac + cheese. See Blog Post for more options!
Of course! Simply swap the unsalted butter for a plant-based alternative like vegan butter, olive oil, or coconut oil. This will still keep the chicken juicy and flavorful while allowing the skin to crisp beautifully. The rest of the recipe, including the jerk seasoning and maple BBQ glaze, is naturally dairy-free.
If you tried my Jamaican Spatchcock Jerk Whole Roast Chicken or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag me @shanikagrahamwhite on Instagram. I love hearing from you!
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This was amazing!! No lie!!
Do you have a recipe or any suggestions for a jerk sauce/gravy to serve this with?
Hi James! You can definitely make a Jerk sauce/gravy using my Baked Jerk Chicken Wings recipe on my site. Just follow the BBQ Jerk sauce instructions. 🙂
https://www.orchidsandsweettea.com/baked-jamaican-jerk-chicken-wings/
Hi, I’m confused by this recipe. Where does the marinade and maple syrup in the chicken come in? There’s another section for the Maple marinade which you add in at 45 minutes.
But I can’t see any instructions of where you add in the first lot of, jerk sauce.
Thanks very much
Hi Kath! Thanks so much for reaching out! In the recipe, you'll be mixing together the jerk marinade/maple syrup and brushing it on before/while baking as instructed. You only season the chicken with the jerk seasoning. I hope this helps! 🙂
Hello again,
Thanks for responding. When I go to the jerk dry rub recipe, there is no salt mentioned. Neither is there salt mentioned in this recipe, except for the potatoes.
Is one teaspoon salt added to the dry rub sufficient?
Thank you!
Hello Shanika,
Is no salt added to the raw chicken at all?
Hi Kimberly! There's salt in the jerk seasoning which is added to the chicken! 🙂