Jackson, signed in the summer from Gillingham, pounced with a tap-in a minute before the break for his fourth goal of the season to hand City a deserved half-time lead. Middlesbrough, without an away league win since April, nearly snatched an equaliser in injury time but substitute Scott McDonald fired wide.
For Norwich, it was their first home win over Boro since 1986 while the visitors will now look to appoint a permanent successor to Gordon Strachan with the fans chanting the name of former defender Tony Mowbray during the game.
Jackson's goal came when Anthony McNamee delivered the ball to the far post where Grant Holt knocked down for Jackson to have a simple tap-in.
The second half was largely forgetful with Leroy Lita heading wide a Tony McMahon cross with 16 minutes left for Boro, who then had a decent chance to equalise in injury time but McDonald shot wide from six yards.
Source: PA
Source: PA