The word "jerk" refers to a cooking technique and flavor used in Jamaican cuisine. It involves marinating meat, typically chicken, in a mixture of spices and hot peppers such as scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic, and ginger. The meat is then cooked slowly over a fire or grill, which gives it a distinct smoky and spicy flavor.
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: ___ chicken (spicy Jamaican fare). Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.