This lazy air fryer jerk chicken is quick, easy, and full of flavor making it the perfect meal to whip up on a busy weeknight.

This jerk chicken recipe is definitely one you want to add to your weeknight recipe arsenal! Not only is it delicious, but the chicken cooks perfectly in the air fryer! The flavors are rich and the chicken tastes as if you spent tons of time slaving over a hot stove! If you’re a busy mom like me, you know the easier the dinner recipe, the better – and this one does not disappoint!

Unlike my other air fryer chicken recipes, this is one of my signature 5 ingredients or less recipes, making it super quick and easy to whip up this delicious meal! Not to mention, using an air fryer allows for a hands-free approach which equals less mess in the kitchen for you to clean up later!

So without further ado, keep reading to grab the full recipe and assembly instructions.

Here’s what you need to make this delicious Lazy Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Recipe:

• Chicken Thighs
• Caribbean Jerk Marinade
• Pineapple Juice
• Cilantro (optional)
• Olive Oil
• Brown Sugar

This lazy jerk chicken is the perfect easy dinner solution and they reheat beautifully for a quick lunch the next day!

We used chicken thighs for this recipe, but you are welcome to use any type of chicken you’d like, although you may have to adjust the cooking time depending on the size and thickness of the chicken.

How To Prepare The Chicken:

Once you have cleaned your chicken, be sure to pat the chicken dry so that the olive oil and Caribbean jerk marinade adhere to the chicken. Brush (or rub) your chicken with oil and add to a large bowl or ziplock bag. Pour the Caribbean jerk marinade on the chicken ensuring that each piece of chicken is fully coated.

Once fully coated, close the ziplock bag (or cover the bowl) and place it in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes for maximum flavor.

Once done marinating, add your chicken into the air fryer with the skin side down and air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. By starting with the skin side down first, you are able to ensure that your chicken cooks all the way through and that your skin gets crispy without becoming burnt.

PRO TIP: Be sure to marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes in Caribbean jerk marinade for maximum flavor.

At the 10-minute mark, flip your chicken over and cook skin side up for an additional 5 minutes.

While the chicken is cooking, add the jerk marinade, brown sugar, and pineapple juice to a small bowl and mix well.

Once your chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and immediately brush (or pour), the jerk marinade and pineapple juice mixture on the chicken.

Sprinkle them with cilantro (optional) for a final touch and enjoy!

Storage and Reheating Instructions:

How do I store the air fryer jerk chicken?

To store the lazy jerk chicken, place them in an airtight container & store them in the fridge for 2-3 days. I highly recommend using a glass container if possible, but no matter what container you use, make sure that it’s air-tight!

How do I reheat lazy jerk chicken?

Thankfully this lazy jerk chicken reheats exceptionally well and makes for a yummy lunch the next day! However, you may want to add a bit more of the pineapple juice, jerk marinade, and brown sugar mixture once they are completely reheated.

Simply preheat your oven to 350 degrees, place the chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes or until completely warmed through. You could also reheat your chicken in the microwave! Heat 1 piece of chicken on a microwave-safe plate for 1:30 sec or up to 2 minutes.

Can I substitute a different type of chicken for this recipe?

You can totally substitute a different cut of chicken for this lazy jerk chicken recipe. Chicken legs work great for this recipe! You can also use chicken tenderloins. I’m also pretty sure it would be absolutely delicious on air fryer chicken wings! Just be sure to adjust your cooking time to accommodate the size and thickness of your chicken.

More Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Recipes:

Hot Honey Chicken

Cilantro Lime Chicken