Ever since our trip to Puerto Rico in November, I haven’t been able to get Caribbean food off my mind. While I’d love to drop everything and jump on a plane (again), eating tropical food is the closest I can get to a(nother) tropical vacation at the moment.* Perhaps it’s because of the winter weather—while this winter has been relatively mild in Michigan, I certainly wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to lounge around on a beach! Watching episodes of The Bachelor filmed in the Caribbean hasn’t helped me shake my wanderlust, either. But honestly, maybe the real reason I keep craving Caribbean food is simply the fact that it is all-around awesome and bursting with flavor. Sweet, savory, spicy…it’s got it all!
This Jamaican jerk chicken pasta is not a traditional Jamaican recipe, but I drew my inspiration for this dish from a similar one on the menu of a great local Jamaican restaurant. My version combines Jamaican jerk seasoning and sautéed peppers with smooth Alfredo sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese, so it’s actually kind of a Jamaican-Italian fusion. Whatever you call it, though, it’s lip-smacking good!
While I wouldn’t say that the simplicity of this Jamaican jerk chicken pasta is my favorite part (that honor is reserved for the taste alone!), I do love how quickly and easily it comes together. Just boil the pasta, cut up and sauté the onions and peppers, add some cooked chicken and a jar of Alfredo sauce, and you’re good to go! Less time spent cooking means more time for eating and relaxing, mon.
*The trip to Puerto Rico was my gift to myself for completing my master’s degree, so apparently I now have to write my Ph.D. dissertation to earn my next vacation. Wish me luck!
This Jamaican jerk chicken pasta is another contribution to Or so she says…, so head over there to get the recipe!
I’m also sharing this post at the following link parties: The Wednesday Showcase, Foodie FriDIY, Fiesta Friday, and Recipe of the Week.
Looks delicious! And good luck!
Thanks, Mimi!
I haven’t had jerk chicken in a while. This is a great idea. Putting a wonderful chicken dish together with pasta… YUM!!!
I’m glad this recipe caught your eye! I love jerk chicken, but I haven’t yet attempted an authentic recipe from scratch – it’s on my to-do list, though!
Oh my goodness this looks divine! Love this recipe, totally pinning 🙂 have a great day!
Thanks, Jess! I’m so glad this caught your eye. Let me know if you try it!
I checked out your recipe on OSSS…looks like a winner!
Thanks, Kathy! I’m looking forward to making it again soon 🙂
I’ve only had jerk chicken a couple times but it’s so good! This pasta sounds delicious. I love an all-in-one meal like this. Thanks for sharing it with the Wednesday Showcase!
It really is! I’m pretty sure authentic jerk chicken takes a lot more time, though, so for this one, rather than rubbing the chicken and stuff, I just tossed the seasoning on top. Sometimes it’s all about convenience! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This jerk chicken sounds absolutely amazing, Mara! And I love that you gave yourself a gift after your master’s degree. I think you should get a trip around the world for finishing your PhD. I have myself a trip to upstate New York, but I’m thinking Puerto Rico would have been a better choice there! Hah! 🙂
Thanks, David! Wouldn’t it be nice if completing a Ph.D. came with a complimentary world tour?! Upstate New York sounds lovely – I actually considered a trip to Vermont to see the fall colors, but it somehow turned out that flights to the Caribbean were less expensive!
This sounds great! I’m always looking for new pasta recipes to try! Thank you!
Me too – pasta is so quick and easy that you can never have too many recipes in your repertoire! Thanks!
Loving the fusion here – I can totally see how this would work out wonderfully! A little spice, a little creamy sauce, some pasta and chicken for good measure – what’s not to love?!
Thanks, Kathryn! I’m glad you’re not opposed to the Jamaican-Italian fusion 🙂
Better finish that PhD! 😉 This looks absolutely amazing. I love how all the different flavors come together. Happy FF, and have a fabulous weekend!
Thanks, Kaila! I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well!
Funny because this was the first link I opened up from the #FoodieFridayDIY linkup and I’ve had it on my screen since last night!
I’m thinking I’ll make it for Easter Sunday. A good Alfredo sauce is like nothing else to me!
I’m glad this caught your eye! Let me know how it goes if you try it – I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we do 🙂
Congratulations on completing your Masters! And how fortunate for us it lead indirectly to this flavourful pasta dish.
Thanks, Hilda! Yes, it’s funny to think about it that way, but you’re right – my M.A. *did* lead indirectly to the creation of this dish!
I also get that ‘food hangover’ thing all the time. This looks absolutely good, Mara. 🙂 Happy FF.
I’m glad I’m not the only one! To be honest, I’m probably thinking about food 50% of the time that I’m not working…
I am not a fan of alfredo, but adding jamaican jerk seasoning might just turn me 😀
You might be the first person I’ve heard say that s/he doesn’t like Alfredo sauce! I rarely use it, but when I do, it’s a special treat. You must really like Jamaican jerk seasoning, then!
I’ve never had jerk chicken, sounds great, I have to make it soon. I can’t buy the seasoning here, but I suppose it should be easy to find a recipe for making it online.
Oh yes, it should definitely be easy enough to make your own seasoning blend – I’m looking forward to trying that myself soon! If you find a recipe you like for the seasoning, let me know 🙂
This looks delicious Mara! I think food always tastes better on vacation with their local fresh ingredients don’t you?
Food on vacation really does taste amazing – different locales, different ingredients…and no dishes for us to wash afterward! Luckily, this recipe doesn’t dirty too many dishes 😉
I love jerk seasoning! I’m surely family would love this for dinner. Thanks for sharing at the Wednesday Showcase.
Thanks, Kati! I love how flavorful jerk seasoning is, and how it really adds another dimension to a dish. And thanks for hosting such a fun link party!
Mara, this looks wonderful, superb photography and the Jamaican jerk chicken pasta has my name written ALL over it, good job!
Thanks so much! That means a lot, coming from you!