Why is jerk chicken called jerk chicken?

Answer 1

Jerk chicken is called jerk chicken because of the cooking technique and seasoning used in its preparation, known as "jerk." The term "jerk" originates from the word "charqui," a Spanish term for dried strips of meat, which is thought to have evolved into "jerk."

The "jerk" method involves marinating the chicken in a blend of spices and seasonings, including allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, garlic, and scallions. The meat is then typically cooked over an open flame or on a grill, often using pimento wood for an authentic flavor. This method of seasoning and cooking imparts a distinctive, spicy, and smoky flavor to the chicken, giving it the name "jerk chicken." The technique has its roots in the indigenous Taino people of Jamaica and has been influenced by African cooking methods brought to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans.

Answer 2

because you need to tenderize the chicken by jerking it back and forth on a table