The Ultimate Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls with Honey Lime Cream: A Caribbean-Inspired Feast
When it comes to creating a meal that perfectly balances bold flavors, vibrant colors, and nutritious ingredients, few dishes can compete with these spectacular Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls with Honey Lime Cream. This recipe brings together the fiery, aromatic spices of traditional Caribbean jerk seasoning with the refreshing sweetness of tropical mango and the cooling comfort of creamy honey lime sauce.
The beauty of this dish lies not only in its stunning visual presentation but also in its incredible versatility and nutritional profile. Each bowl delivers a complete meal that satisfies all your macronutrient needs while providing an explosion of flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the Caribbean islands. The tender, perfectly seasoned chicken provides lean protein, while the colorful slaw offers essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The honey lime cream adds the perfect finishing touch, bringing all the elements together in harmonious balance.
What makes this recipe particularly special is how it combines the heat and complexity of jerk seasoning with cooling, fresh elements. The traditional jerk spice blend, featuring ingredients like allspice, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers, and warm spices, creates a depth of flavor that’s both exciting and comforting. The mango adds natural sweetness and tropical flair, while the purple cabbage provides a beautiful color contrast and satisfying crunch.
This dish is perfect for meal prep enthusiasts, as all components can be prepared in advance and assembled when ready to eat. It’s equally suitable for casual weeknight dinners and impressive weekend entertaining. The combination of textures – from the tender, caramelized chicken to the crispy slaw and creamy sauce – ensures that every bite is interesting and satisfying.
The honey lime cream deserves special mention as it serves as the perfect bridge between all the dish’s elements. The tangy lime cuts through the richness of the chicken while complementing the sweetness of the mango, and the honey adds a touch of natural sweetness that balances the heat from the jerk seasoning. This sauce alone could transform any simple meal into something extraordinary.
From a nutritional standpoint, these bowls are a powerhouse. The chicken provides high-quality protein essential for muscle maintenance and growth, while the variety of vegetables delivers antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and important minerals. The healthy fats from the cream sauce support nutrient absorption and provide satiation.
The cooking method for the jerk chicken is crucial to achieving the perfect texture and flavor. By using high heat initially to create a beautiful caramelized crust, then reducing the temperature to ensure even cooking throughout, you’ll achieve chicken that’s juicy on the inside with a slightly charred exterior that’s packed with flavor. The key is not to move the chicken too frequently during cooking, allowing those beautiful caramelized spots to develop.
The mango slaw component brings freshness and natural sweetness that perfectly complements the spiced chicken. Using purple cabbage not only adds beautiful color but also provides additional antioxidants and a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken. The combination of textures and temperatures makes each forkful exciting and satisfying.
These bowls are incredibly customizable based on your preferences and dietary needs. You can adjust the heat level by modifying the amount of scotch bonnet or jalapeño in your jerk seasoning, add additional vegetables like bell peppers or cucumber, or even substitute the chicken with firm fish or tofu for different protein options.
The presentation of these bowls is absolutely stunning, making them perfect for social media sharing or impressing dinner guests. The vibrant colors – the golden caramelized chicken, bright orange mango, deep purple cabbage, and creamy white sauce – create a visually appealing dish that’s almost too beautiful to eat.
Ingredients
Jerk Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning blend
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 scotch bonnet or jalapeño pepper, finely minced
Mango Slaw:
- 4 cups purple cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 large ripe mango, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, julienned
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt to taste
Honey Lime Cream:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine chicken pieces with jerk seasoning, olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, minced garlic, and minced pepper. Mix thoroughly and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in refrigerator.
- For the mango slaw, combine sliced purple cabbage, diced mango, julienned bell pepper, and chopped cilantro in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, and salt. Pour over slaw mixture and toss to combine. Set aside.
- To make honey lime cream, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, lime juice, lime zest, salt, and chopped cilantro until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and cook in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply caramelized and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
- Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then slice or keep in chunks as desired.
- To assemble bowls, divide mango slaw among serving bowls, top with warm jerk chicken, and finish with generous dollops of honey lime cream.
- Garnish with additional fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and a sprinkle of extra jerk seasoning if desired.
- Serve immediately while chicken is warm, or prepare components separately for meal prep and assemble when ready to eat.
Jerk Chicken & Mango Slaw Bowls with Honey Lime Cream
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, combine chicken pieces with jerk seasoning, olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, minced garlic, and minced pepper. Mix thoroughly and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- For the mango slaw, combine sliced purple cabbage, diced mango, julienned bell pepper, and chopped cilantro in a large bowl. Whisk lime juice, honey, and salt, then toss with slaw mixture.
- To make honey lime cream, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, lime juice, lime zest, salt, and chopped cilantro until smooth and creamy.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and cook in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply caramelized and cooked through.
- Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then slice or keep in chunks as desired.
- To assemble bowls, divide mango slaw among serving bowls, top with warm jerk chicken, and finish with generous dollops of honey lime cream.
- Garnish with additional fresh cilantro and lime wedges if desired.
- Serve immediately while chicken is warm, or prepare components separately for meal prep and assemble when ready to eat.
