1. Prepare the Jerk Spice Rub:

• In a large bowl, combine all the dry spice rub ingredients: salt, ground allspice, packed brown sugar, onion powder, dried minced garlic, ground nutmeg, black pepper, ground ginger, cayenne pepper, ground cinnamon, and dried thyme leaves.
• Whisk or stir thoroughly until all the spices are evenly distributed.

2. Season and Marinate the Chicken:

• Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
• Add the chicken pieces to the large bowl containing the jerk spice rub.
• Using your hands, toss and rub the chicken pieces thoroughly to ensure each piece is generously and evenly coated with the seasoning mix.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 2 to 4 hours. For deeper flavor, you can marinate overnight.

3. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish:

• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Pour the ¼ cup of vegetable oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish, tilting the dish to coat the bottom evenly.

4. Arrange Chicken and Bake:

• Remove the marinated chicken pieces from the refrigerator.
• Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer, skin-side up, into the oil-coated baking dish.
• Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
• Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, the juices run clear when pierced with a fork, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh (avoiding bone) registers 165°F (74°C).

5. Crisp the Skin Under the Broiler:

• Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven.
• Turn the oven setting to BROIL (high heat). Adjust an oven rack so the chicken will be about 4-6 inches from the broiler element.
• Place the baking dish with the chicken back under the preheated broiler.
• Broil for 2 to 5 minutes, watching very closely, until the chicken skin becomes wonderfully crispy and nicely browned. Do not walk away, as the skin can go from golden to burnt very quickly under the broiler!

6. Rest and Serve:

• Carefully remove the baking dish from under the broiler.
• Let the Perfect Baked Jerk Chicken rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring more tender meat.
• Serve hot with your favorite Caribbean-inspired side dishes. Enjoy!