Recipes

$8 Crispy Jerk Fried Chicken

by StudioLink's Diet.
December 04, 2025
View the Studiolink

$8 Crispy Jerk Fried Chicken

An EBT-friendly Caribbean-inspired fried chicken with bold jerk seasoning and an irresistible crispy crust. Ready in 40 minutes.

Total Cost of Ingredients Used: $7.00-$9.00

(Cost reflects only what’s used in the recipe, not full package prices)

Ingredients:

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  •   4 chicken thighs
  •   2 tbsp vegetable oil
  •   1 tbsp brown sugar
  •   1 tbsp jerk seasoning
  •   1 tsp salt
  •   .5 tsp black pepper
  •   .5 cup all-purpose flour
  •   1 egg
  •   2 tbsp milk or water
  •   2 cups oil (for frying)

Ingredients are subject to availability at local stores. Unavailable items will be automatically substituted at best-effort.

Instructions

1

Make jerk marinade: In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp jerk seasoning (or make your own: 2 tsp allspice + 1 tsp thyme + 1 tsp garlic powder + ½ tsp cayenne), 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper.

2

Marinate chicken: Place 4 chicken thighs or drumsticks in a bowl. Rub jerk marinade all over chicken, coating thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best flavor).

3

Prep coating: In a shallow dish, mix ½ cup flour with 1 tsp additional jerk seasoning. In another dish, beat 1 egg with 2 tbsp milk or water. This creates a double coating for extra crispiness.

4

Coat chicken: Take each marinated chicken piece, dredge in seasoned flour, dip in egg mixture, then dredge again in flour. Press flour firmly to adhere. Place on a plate while oil heats.

5

Fry to perfection: Heat 1 inch of oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (medium-high heat). Fry chicken 8-10 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on paper towels. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Crispy jerk fried chicken pieces on a plate

Crispy, spicy, and packed with Caribbean flavor – the ultimate comfort food upgrade.

This EBT-friendly jerk fried chicken brings the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean to your kitchen without breaking the bank. The double-coating technique ensures an extra-crispy crust that locks in the juicy, well-seasoned chicken. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for gatherings, game day, or a special weeknight dinner.

Budget Grocery List + Cost Breakdown

All items EBT-eligible. Prices based on Walmart/ALDI/Caribbean markets.

Protein & Coating

Used in recipe: 4 chicken thighs ($3.50) + flour ($0.15) + egg ($0.15)

Package cost: $4.00 (pack) + $2.50 (5lb) + $1.50 (dozen) = $8.00 total

Seasonings & Oil

Used in recipe: Jerk seasoning ($0.40) + oil ($0.50) + brown sugar ($0.10) + salt & pepper ($0.03)

Package cost: $2.50 (jar) + $3.00 (bottle) + $1.50 + $1.00 = $8.00 total

Total Used in Recipe: $7.33-$9.33

Serves 2-3 people • Cost per serving: $2.44-$4.67

Note: Make extra jerk seasoning blend and store for future recipes. Baking option: Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes instead of frying.

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