Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls with Honey Lime Cream

The tantalizing aroma of spicy Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls with Honey Lime Cream will transport your senses straight to the Caribbean. This vibrant dish combines fiery jerk-seasoned chicken with a cooling, tropical mango slaw and a smooth honey lime cream that balances the heat perfectly. Each component plays a crucial role in creating a bowl that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. You’ll learn how to create authentic jerk flavor, build a refreshing slaw, and assemble a restaurant-worthy bowl that will impress family and friends alike.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls with Honey Lime Cream offer an irresistible combination of flavors and textures that will quickly make this dish a favorite in your recipe collection. The chicken thighs are marinated in a bold jerk seasoning that creates a spicy crust on the outside while keeping the meat incredibly juicy and tender inside. The sweet, crunchy mango slaw provides the perfect contrast to the heat of the chicken, with its refreshing crispness and tropical flavor profile.

This recipe strikes the ideal balance between authentic Jamaican flavors and approachable home cooking. The honey lime cream adds a cooling, tangy element that ties everything together, creating a harmonious bowl where each bite offers something new to discover. The dish is also visually striking – the vibrant colors of the mango slaw, the charred jerk chicken, and the creamy drizzle make for an Instagram-worthy meal that’s sure to impress.

Best of all, despite its complex flavors, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. Many components can be made ahead of time, making these bowls perfect for meal prep or entertaining.

Ingredients

For the Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls with Honey Lime Cream, you’ll need three distinct component sets:

For the Jerk Chicken:

• 1.5 pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Mango Slaw:

• 2 cups (150g) shredded cabbage (purple and green mix)
• 1 large ripe mango, julienned (about 1 cup)
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup (10g) fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (optional)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Honey Lime Cream:

• ½ cup (120g) Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• ¼ teaspoon lime zest
• Pinch of salt

For serving: 2 cups cooked brown or white rice, sliced avocado, lime wedges

Pro Tips

Marination Matters: For the most flavorful Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls, marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight. This extended marination allows the spices to penetrate the meat fully and tenderize it. The acids in the lime juice break down the proteins in the chicken, resulting in a juicier, more flavorful final product. If you’re short on time, even 30 minutes will make a difference, but the longer, the better.

Temperature Control: Jerk chicken traditionally has a charred exterior. To achieve this without burning the spices, use a two-zone cooking method. Start the chicken over high heat to get that characteristic char, then move to a lower heat zone to finish cooking through. If using an oven, broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes to create that authentic char. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.

Slaw Timing: Prepare the mango slaw no more than 2 hours before serving for optimal texture. If made too far in advance, the cabbage will release water and become soggy. However, you can prep all the components and keep them separate, combining them just before serving. For the best flavor contrast with the spicy chicken, make sure your mango is perfectly ripe—it should yield slightly to gentle pressure and smell sweet at the stem end.

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl, combine the jerk seasoning, vegetable oil, minced garlic, fresh thyme, brown sugar, lime juice, and salt. Whisk thoroughly to form a paste. Add the chicken thighs and use your hands to massage the marinade into every piece, ensuring complete coverage. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight. This patient approach allows the bold flavors to penetrate the meat fully.

Step 2: Prepare the Mango Slaw

About an hour before serving, prepare your slaw. In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, julienned mango, sliced red bell pepper, scallions, cilantro, and jalapeño (if using). In a small separate bowl, whisk together the lime juice, honey, olive oil, and salt to create the dressing. Pour this over the slaw ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Let the slaw rest for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the cabbage to slightly soften.

Step 3: Make the Honey Lime Cream

While the slaw is resting, prepare the honey lime cream. In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, lime juice, lime zest, and salt until smooth and well combined. Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste by adding more honey or lime juice. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking to take the chill off. Heat a grill, grill pan, or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until charred on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain into strips.

Step 5: Assemble the Bowls

Divide the cooked rice among four serving bowls. Top each with a generous portion of the mango slaw, arranging it to one side of the bowl. Place the sliced jerk chicken next to the slaw. Add sliced avocado to each bowl. Drizzle everything with the honey lime cream and garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges. Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm and the contrast with the cool slaw is at its peak.

Variations

Vegetarian Jerk Bowls: Transform these Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls with Honey Lime Cream into a plant-based delight by substituting the chicken with jerk-seasoned firm tofu or tempeh. Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove excess moisture, then slice into ½-inch slabs before marinating. Alternatively, use large portobello mushrooms, which absorb the marinade beautifully and provide a meaty texture. The cooking time will be reduced to about 3-4 minutes per side for tofu or tempeh, and 4-5 minutes per side for portobello mushrooms.

Seafood Twist: For a lighter option, replace the chicken with jerk-seasoned shrimp or salmon. Shrimp need only 2 minutes per side, while salmon fillets require about 4 minutes per side, depending on thickness. The seafood pairs wonderfully with the tropical flavors of the mango slaw, creating a lighter yet equally satisfying bowl.

Grain-Free Option: Make these bowls grain-free by replacing the rice with cauliflower rice or a bed of mixed greens. For a heartier grain-free alternative, use roasted sweet potato cubes as your base. This variation works particularly well for those following paleo or whole30 diets while maintaining the vibrant flavors of the original recipe.

Storage and Serving

Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls with Honey Lime Cream components can be stored separately for maximum freshness. The cooked jerk chicken will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it gently in a covered skillet with a splash of water to prevent drying out, or in a microwave at 70% power.

The mango slaw is best consumed within 24 hours of preparation, as the cabbage will continue to soften and release moisture. Store it without its dressing if preparing more than 2 hours in advance. The honey lime cream will keep for up to 5 days refrigerated in an airtight container.

For a stunning presentation, serve these bowls on large, shallow plates to showcase all the colorful components. Garnish with additional elements like toasted coconut flakes, crispy fried plantain chips, or a sprinkle of hemp seeds for added texture. These bowls make excellent meal prep lunches – simply pack the components separately and assemble just before eating to maintain the contrasting temperatures and textures that make this dish so special.

FAQs

Can I make jerk seasoning from scratch?
Absolutely! Combine 1 tablespoon each of brown sugar, dried thyme, allspice, and garlic powder, 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, 2 teaspoons each of black pepper and cayenne (adjust for heat preference), and ½ teaspoon of cloves. This homemade blend gives you control over the heat level and freshness of your Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls.

How can I adjust the spice level of this dish?
To reduce heat, use less jerk seasoning and remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño in the slaw. For more fire, increase the jerk seasoning and add a finely diced scotch bonnet or habanero pepper to the chicken marinade.

Can I grill the chicken instead?
Grilling is actually the traditional cooking method for jerk chicken! Cook over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

What can I substitute for mango if it’s not in season?
Fresh pineapple or peaches make excellent substitutes for mango in the slaw. They provide similar sweetness and texture that complement the spicy jerk chicken.

Is there a dairy-free alternative for the honey lime cream?
Yes! Replace the Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and use vegan mayonnaise for a completely dairy-free honey lime cream that maintains the same creamy texture and tangy flavor profile.

Conclusion

This Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls with Honey Lime Cream is comfort food at its finest — a vibrant celebration of Caribbean flavors that brings warmth and excitement to your table. The contrast between spicy, tender chicken and cool, crunchy slaw creates a sensory experience that’s both satisfying and refreshing. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into something special, while still being simple enough to become a regular in your meal rotation. Whether you’re looking to expand your culinary horizons or simply craving a bowl of balanced, flavorful goodness, these jerk chicken bowls deliver on all fronts.

Print