| Prep: 25 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 288 | 8g | 2g | 14g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 1g | 37g | 1.67g |
One wonderfully vibrant recipe that triumphantly captures the heart of my cooking philosophy is the West Indian Bay Leaf Marinated Grilled Chicken. Combining the fragrant power of fresh West Indian bay leaves and the tangy explosion of fresh lime juice, this recipe sings with an invigorating melody of flavors. The journey of creating, grilling, and savoring this dish is quite honestly, a rejuvenating experience akin to coming home.
Taste of Home, Taste of Heritage
Born to Nigerian immigrants in the culinary heartland of Atlanta, I’ve always been exposed to a fusion of regional and cultural flavors. Creating recipes such as this West Indian Bay Leaf Marinated Grilled Chicken, shares a morsel of that heritage.
The unmistakable smoky aroma of the grilled chicken is matched by the fragrant, distinctive aroma of the West Indian bay leaves it marinates within. It’s like an aromatic passport to a West African sunset. It reminds me of my parents’ fireside stories of their homeland, heavily scented by my mother’s cooking in the background.
Healthy Benefits, Delicious Flavors
It’s not just an aromatic dish, either. The West Indian Bay leaves in this dish are known for their high levels of antioxidants, aiding in overall wellbeing. Meanwhile, the honey and fresh lime juice bring a refreshing zestiness that, culinary speaking, lifts the flavors while promoting better digestion.
Pairings and Partings
This recipe pairs brilliantly with a multitude of side dishes, whether they’re traditional Southern staples like collard greens or West African favorites like Jollof Rice. The hearty grilled chicken stands up well to robust flavors and can elevate a simple side dish into a gastronomic adventure.
Similar to other marinated chicken dishes including Jamaican jerk chicken or Trinidadian BBQ chicken, this recipe carves out a niche in the rich tapestry of decidely spiced, grilled chicken recipes. It’s familiar, yet unique. Comforting, yet tantalizingly exotic.
In the end, I find the West Indian Bay Leaf Marinated Grilled Chicken to be a heartwarming symbol of my past, and a delicious manifestation of my culinary philosophy. It’s comfort, heritage, health and travel combined in one tasty package.
What You’ll Need
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 fresh West Indian bay leaves
- 1 cup of fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup of soy sauce
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Grilled fruit, for serving (optional)
Method
Step One
Start by preparing your marinade. In a large bowl, combine the fresh lime juice, soy sauce, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped fresh ginger, ground allspice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste. Whisk all these ingredients together until they are well blended.
Step Two
Next, place the chicken breasts and West Indian bay leaves into the bowl with the marinade, making sure that chicken is well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but ideally overnight to let the flavors really soak into the chicken.
Step Three
When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess. Dispose of the used marinade to avoid cross-contamination.
Step Four
Grill the marinated chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Cook each side for approximately 6-7 minutes or until the chicken breasts are fully cooked, with an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step Five
Once done, remove the chicken from the grill and allow it to rest for a few minutes. This will make the meat more tender and juicy.
Step Six
Serve the Grilled Chicken hot, optionally accompanied with grilled fruit of your choice for a complete, delicious meal.
