Dinner: Jerk Spice–Rubbed Chicken Legs

Recipe by Andy Baraghani We took the traditional Jamaican jerk spice and simplified it. Before you call the authenticity police, give it a try on roast chicken legs.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon

Health and fertility benefits of Jerk Spice–Rubbed Chicken Legs

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060).

Ingredients

1 (4-inch) piece cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon allspice berries
2 teaspoons black peppercorns
2 teaspoons whole cloves
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
4 chicken legs (thigh and drumstick)
Kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 °F. Whack cinnamon stick with the back side of a chef’s knife to break into small pieces. Toast cinnamon, allspice, peppercorns, and cloves in a dry small skillet over medium-high, tossing, until fragrant, about 2 minutes; let cool.
Grind spices, brown sugar, thyme, and cayenne in spice mill or with mortar and pestle to a fine powder. Mix oil and 2 Tbsp. spice rub in a small bowl (save remaining rub for another use). Rub chicken legs with jerk spice mixture; season with salt. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown and cooked through, 30 –35 minutes.

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