This Caribbean Oven-Fried Chicken is a crispy baked chicken dinner made with boneless chicken breasts, Caribbean jerk seasoning, and a creamy lime coating that keeps it juicy. Topped with fresh mango salsa, this easy oven-fried chicken recipe is perfect for a flavorful family dinner.
This Caribbean Oven-Fried Chicken is an easy homemade chicken dinner that delivers crispy, golden breaded chicken without deep-frying. Boneless chicken breasts are coated in a simple mayo-lime mixture, rolled in seasoned breadcrumbs, and baked until perfectly crisp, then topped with a fresh mango salsa for a bright, flavorful finish.
If you are tired of making the same chicken recipes over and over, this one is a great way to change things up. It feels a little special, but it is still simple enough for a weeknight dinner and made with ingredients you can easily find at the grocery store.
The best part is that this chicken is baked, not fried, yet still turns out incredibly moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. Even better, the leftovers reheat well without drying out, which is always a win.
What I Love About This Recipe
- I love how moist this chicken stays, thanks to the mayonnaise coating. If you have never tried mayo-coated baked chicken before, it might sound strange, but it works incredibly well. The mayo locks in moisture while helping the breadcrumbs stick and crisp up in the oven.
- I also love how flexible this recipe is. The mayo mixture is like a blank canvas, so you can easily switch up the citrus, herbs, or spices depending on what you have on hand. The mango salsa adds freshness and sweetness, but you can swap in other fruits or skip it altogether if needed.
- This dish is also super quick and easy to make for a fun weeknight dinner!
Equipment You May Need
- Large Baking Sheet – Needed for baking the chicken.
- Metal Cooling Rack – Helps the air circulate around the chicken so that it can crisp on all sides.
- Shallow Bowls – Helps for breading the chicken.
Ingredients
Chicken
- Bread Crumbs – Create a crispy coating without frying.
- Caribbean (Jerk) Seasoning – Adds bold, slightly spicy Caribbean flavor. Heat levels vary by brand, so adjust to taste.
- Mayonnaise – Keeps the chicken moist and helps the breading stick.
- Lime Juice and Zest – Adds brightness and balances the richness of the mayo.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – Cook quickly and stay tender when baked this way.
Mango Salsa
- Mango – Adds sweetness and freshness that pairs perfectly with the seasoned chicken.
- Red Onion – Gives a little bite and crunch.
- Cilantro – Adds a fresh, herby flavor.
- Jalapeño – Adds a mild kick of heat. Adjust to taste.
- Lime Juice and Zest – Brightens the salsa and ties everything together.
- Olive Oil – Helps bring the salsa together.
Sides (Optional)
- Prepared rice and black beans make this a complete, satisfying meal.
How to Make Caribbean Oven-Fried Chicken
Step One: Preheat
Start by preheating your oven and placing a metal cooling rack on top of a baking sheet. Lightly coat the rack with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
Step Two: Make Breading
In a shallow dish, mix together the breadcrumbs and Caribbean seasoning. Set aside.
Step Three: Make Mayo Coating
In a large bowl or resealable bag, mix the mayonnaise with the lime juice and zest. Add the chicken and gently toss until evenly coated.
Step Four: Bread & Bake Chicken
One piece at a time, lightly coat the chicken in the seasoned breadcrumbs and place it on the prepared rack. Bake until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
Step Five: Make Salsa & Serve
While the chicken is baking, prepare the mango salsa by mixing all the salsa ingredients in a small bowl. Serve the oven-fried chicken hot, topped with mango salsa and paired with rice and black beans if desired.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- This Caribbean oven-fried chicken pairs perfectly with brown rice, white rice, or black beans (like this black beans and rice). A simple green salad or roasted vegetables also make great sides.
- You can also slice the chicken and serve it over a salad or in wraps for leftovers.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Bake the chicken on a rack if possible so the bottom gets crispy.
- Do not overload the breadcrumbs or the coating may fall off.
- Adjust the amount of jerk seasoning based on your spice tolerance.
- Use fresh lime zest for the best flavor.
Caribbean Oven-Fried Chicken FAQ
Any make-ahead tips??
The chicken can be coated a few hours ahead of time and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. The mango salsa can also be made ahead and refrigerated until serving.
How should I store the chicken and salsa?
Both can be stored in the refrigerator well covered for a few days.
Can I freeze the chicken or salsa?
I would not recommend freezing the salsa. You can freeze the cooked chicken. Wrap well and place in resealable bags.
How long will the chicken and salsa last?
The chicken and salsa should last a few days in the refrigerator. Frozen chicken should be ok for a few months.
Substitutions?
Swap mango for pineapple, peach, or papaya in the salsa. Use any citrus juice and zest in place of lime. Try different seasoning blends like Cajun, lemon pepper, or smoked paprika. Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for even juicier results.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
You can use a low-fat mayonnaise.
What else can I add to this recipe?
Add any of your favorite spices to the mayonnaise mix. You can also add your favorite fruit and veggies to the salsa mix.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – This recipe is not vegan.
Vegetarian – This recipe is not vegetarian.
Low-Carb – You can try a low-carb bread crumb for the coating.
Gluten-Free – Try a gluten-free breadcrumb for the coating.
Hope you enjoy! You might also like this Crunchy Mexican Tortilla Chicken or Parmesan Bruschetta Chicken!
Caribbean Oven-Fried Chicken
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Caribbean (Jerk) seasoning
- 1/4 cup Light Mayonnaise (or regular)
- 1 lime juiced & zested
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
Mango Salsa:
- 1 large (or 2 small) mangos finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon jalapeno minced
- 1 lime juiced & zested
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Sides: (optional)
- Prepared rice (brown or white) and black beans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place a metal cooling rack on top of a baking sheet and coat rack very lightly with nonstick spray (or line a baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick aluminum foil).
- Combine bread crumbs and seasoning in a shallow dish; set aside.
- Mix together mayonnaise and juice/zest from one lime in a resealable bag or large bowl. Add chicken and mix to coat.
- Lightly coat chicken in bread crumbs then place chicken on prepared pan. Bake chicken for about 20-25 minutes at 425 degrees F or until golden brown and crispy.
- Meanwhile, prepare salsa by combining all salsa ingredients in small bowl and mix to combine. Serve salsa, rice, and/or beans with chicken as desired.
Notes
- I suggest baking the chicken on the cooling rack if you can to keep the bottom of the chicken crispy.
- You can use light or regular mayonnaise.
- You can also use any kind of citrus juice/zest for the lime.
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
Jenn says
Love this recipe! I made a slight modification by using a bit of flour in my bread crumb mix and I served it with mashed cheddar and bacon potatoes. Thank you this was a BIG HIT!!
Lisa Huff says
Thanks Jenn! So happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Kael says
A little coconut milk in the peas and rice will feel like you are at a beach in Jamaica mon!
Valerie says
I love chicken, but I’m easily bored with it. This recipe looks scrumptious!!
alan says
thank you for a great recipe and website. i will try ths out this week
best wishes
alan
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
That’s a light yet very flavourful meal! Love how crunchy the chicken looks!
Cathy @ Noble Pig says
I love the salsa on this…so beautiful!
Margot says
Very interesting recipe! My friend used to make chicken breast using mayonnaise and it was delicious so I will definitely give it a try, especially that is Caribbean version :)
Deborah says
This sounds delicious! What a great way to change up chicken!
ATasteOfMadness says
Wow. This looks too good! I love finding new recipes for chicken!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Sounds like a great dinner! Who doesn’t love a crispy chicken that isn’t fried? And the mango salsa is a great topping!
Karen Harris says
This looks like a great recipe. Love your photos.
Jersey Girl Cooks says
I love making oven fried chicken. I will have to try this.
frenchtwistedwoman says
Sounds delicious! I’ve used Hellmann’s with crushed Ritz crackers, but never with bread crumbs and Jerk seasoning. Will have to try it. Merci!