Description
Chicken jerky is a flavorful, protein-rich snack made by marinating thin slices of chicken breast in a sweet, savory, and spicy marinade and then dehydrating until perfectly chewy. A tasty and less common alternative to beef or turkey jerky.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken breast, trimmed of fat
- โ cup soy sauce
- โ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ยผ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke (optional, hickory recommended)
- ยผ teaspoon curing salt (optional)
Instructions
- Combine soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, chili garlic sauce, liquid smoke, and curing salt (if using) in a bowl. Mix well and pour into a ziplock bag.
- Trim all visible fat from chicken breast and slice into ยผ-inch thick strips.
- Add chicken strips to the marinade in the ziplock bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 6โ24 hours.
- After marinating, remove chicken from the bag and strain excess marinade using a colander.
- Arrange chicken strips on dehydrator trays, ensuring they do not touch for even airflow.
- Dehydrate for 4โ6 hours at 160ยฐF, checking for doneness around the 3.5-hour mark.
- The jerky is done when it bends and cracks but does not break in half.
- For food safety, optionally heat strips in a 300ยฐF oven for 10 minutes before or after dehydrating to ensure an internal temp of 165ยฐF.
Notes
- Use hickory or applewood liquid smoke for enhanced flavor if not using a smoker.
- Support local bee colonies by using locally sourced honey.
- Store finished jerky in airtight containers, preferably refrigerated, away from sunlight for best freshness.
- Proper storage and optional curing salt can extend shelf life and safety.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Snack
- Method: Dehydrating
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1g
- Calories: 186
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 1607mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 58mg