Ingredients:

  • 5 lbs Chicken Breast (skinless, boneless), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 Tbsp Jerk Marinade/Paste (high-quality)
  • 1 Tbsp Light Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Fresh Thyme Leaves, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 large Ripe Mango, diced finely (about 1.5 cups)
  • 1/4 medium Red Onion, finely minced
  • 1/2 – 1 Red Chili (or Scotch Bonnet), deseeded and finely minced
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Coriander (Cilantro), roughly chopped
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1/4 tsp Salt

Instructions:

  1. Soak Skewers: Place 8-10 wooden skewers in a shallow dish of water and soak for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.
  2. Prep and Marinate: Cut the chicken breast into even 1-inch cubes. In a large bowl, combine the chicken cubes with the jerk paste, olive oil, brown sugar, thyme, salt, and pepper. Ensure every piece is coated.
  3. Rest: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes (or ideally 2–4 hours) to allow the marinade to penetrate. This is passive marinating time.
  4. Prepare Salsa: Peel and finely dice the mango and red onion. Deseed and mince the chili. Place the diced mango, red onion, chili, and coriander in a small bowl.
  5. Dress Salsa: Pour over the fresh lime juice and add a pinch of salt. Gently toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate the salsa while the chicken cooks.
  6. Assemble and Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, leaving a small space between each piece.
  7. Cook: Place the skewers into the air fryer basket in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary). Cook for 6 minutes, then carefully flip the skewers using tongs. Cook for an additional 6–9 minutes, until the chicken is deeply golden brown and the internal temperature registers 165°F (74°C).
  8. Serve: Remove the skewers and let them rest for 5 minutes. Place the hot skewers on a platter and spoon the chilled Mango-Lime Salsa generously over the chicken or serve it alongside as a dipping condiment.