11 Irresistible Sauces That Will Make Your Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sing!

Let’s face it – Jamaican jerk chicken is already pretty amazing on its own. That blend of spicy, smoky flavors with tender, juicy meat is enough to make your taste buds dance. But when you pair it with the right sauce? That’s when the real magic happens!

I’ve been experimenting with different sauces for my jerk chicken for years, and I’m excited to share my favorites with you. Whether you like it sweet, spicy, or somewhere in between, I’ve got options that’ll take your jerk chicken from good to absolutely mind-blowing.

Why Pair Sauce with Jerk Chicken?

You might be thinking, “Jerk chicken is already so flavorful Why add sauce?” Here’s why

• Balance the heat: Jerk chicken can be pretty spicy! A complementary sauce can help balance that heat with sweetness or creaminess.
• Add moisture: Sauce helps keep your chicken juicy and prevents it from drying out.
• Create new flavor dimensions: The right sauce can enhance existing flavors and introduce new ones.
• Presentation points: Let’s be honest, a drizzle of colorful sauce makes your dish look way more appetizing!

The 11 Best Sauces for Jamaican Jerk Chicken

1. Spicy Mango Pineapple Sauce

This might be my absolute favorite. The sweetness of mango and pineapple balances perfectly with the heat from habanero peppers. It’s like a tropical vacation for your taste buds!

How to make it

• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 1 habanero pepper (seeds removed if you want less heat)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt to taste

Blend everything together until smooth. You can adjust the consistency by adding a bit of water if needed.

2. Creamy Jerk Dip

When you want something cooling to balance the spice of jerk chicken, this creamy dip is perfect.

How to make it

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon honey

Mix all ingredients until well combined. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

3. Caribbean Jerk Peach Hot Sauce

This sauce combines the sweetness of peaches with the kick of chili peppers and jerk seasonings for an amazing flavor explosion.

How to make it:

• 4 ripe peaches, peeled and chopped
• 3-4 hot peppers (scotch bonnet or habanero)
• 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Salt to taste

Simmer all ingredients together for about 20 minutes, then blend until smooth.

4. Ginger Sauce

This simple but flavorful sauce is inspired by Benihana’s famous ginger sauce. It pairs beautifully with jerk chicken!

How to make it:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Whisk all ingredients together and let sit for at least 15 minutes before serving.

5. Jamaican Jerk BBQ Sauce

This sauce combines traditional BBQ flavors with jerk seasoning for a match made in heaven.

How to make it:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Simmer all ingredients together for about 15 minutes until thickened.

6. Cilantro Lime Sauce

This bright, tangy sauce provides a refreshing contrast to spicy jerk chicken.

How to make it:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

7. Spicy Hot Honey Sauce

The combination of sweetness and heat in this sauce is absolutely addictive.

How to make it:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes

Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Store in an airtight container.

8. Jamaican Jerk Cranberry Blackberry Sauce

This unique sauce combines sweet and tangy fruits with warm jerk spices.

How to make it:

• 1 cup cranberries
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning
• 2 tablespoons water

Simmer all ingredients together until berries break down and sauce thickens.

9. Spicy Pineapple Sauce

The sweetness of pineapple with a kick of spice makes this sauce irresistible.

How to make it:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.

10. Creamy Chipotle Yogurt Sauce

This cooling sauce has a smoky kick that pairs beautifully with jerk chicken.

How to make it:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from canned chipotle peppers)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Blend until smooth and refrigerate before serving.

11. Chili-Garlic Sauce

This simple but flavorful sauce adds an extra kick to your jerk chicken.

How to make it:

• 1/4 cup chili paste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Mix all ingredients together until well combined.

Pairing Tips for Jerk Chicken and Sauces

When serving jerk chicken with sauce, keep these tips in mind:

1. Don’t overdo it – Jerk chicken already has lots of flavor. Your sauce should complement, not overwhelm.

2. Serve on the side – Let your guests decide how much sauce they want instead of drowning the chicken.

3. Balance the heat – If your jerk chicken is super spicy, consider a cooling sauce like the Creamy Jerk Dip or Creamy Chipotle Yogurt Sauce.

4. Consider your sides – Think about what else you’re serving. If you have rice and peas, a spicier sauce might work well. If you’re serving plantains, maybe go with something less sweet.

5. Mix and match – Don’t be afraid to offer multiple sauce options. Everyone’s taste is different!

Traditional Jamaican Side Dishes to Serve with Jerk Chicken

While we’re talking about jerk chicken, let’s not forget about the perfect sides to round out your meal:

• Rice and peas – A classic Jamaican side made with rice, kidney beans, coconut milk, and spices
• Festival – Sweet fried dumplings that pair perfectly with spicy jerk chicken
• Fried plantains – Sweet and crispy, these are the perfect contrast to spicy chicken
• Jamaican coleslaw – A refreshing side with a tropical twist

My Personal Experience

I’ll never forget the first time I made jerk chicken with homemade mango pineapple sauce for my family. My husband, who usually prefers his meat “unsauced,” couldn’t stop dipping his chicken in it! Even my picky 8-year-old, who normally avoids anything spicy, kept asking for more “yellow sauce.”

That’s the magic of finding the perfect sauce pairing – it can turn a meal into a memorable experience that brings everyone together.

Jamaican jerk chicken is already a showstopper, but pairing it with the right sauce can elevate it to new heights. Whether you prefer sweet, spicy, creamy, or tangy, there’s a sauce on this list that will complement your jerk chicken perfectly.

Now go fire up that grill and get cooking! Your taste buds will thank you.

What’s your favorite sauce to pair with jerk chicken? Have you tried any of these recipes? I’d love to hear about your experiences!

Jerk chicken is traditionally served with either ketchup and pepper sauce (often scotch bonnet pepper sauce) served separately, or a thin, brownish BBQ-style sauce made with ingredients like ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, and jerk seasoning. For a cooling counterpoint, a creamy cilantro-lime sauce or a sweet and spicy mango-based sauce are also popular choices.

Jamaican jerk chicken pairs well with a range of sweet, starchy, and fresh sides, including Rice and Peas, fried plantains, sweet potatoes, and fruit-based salsas like mango or pineapple salsa, which provide a sweet and cooling contrast to the chicken’s spiciness. Other good pairings include coconut rice, various fresh salads and coleslaw for crunch, and vegetables like callaloo or steamed cabbage.