This Jamaican curry chicken recipe is the ultimate Caribbean comfort food of chicken seasoned with Jamaican curry powder and simmered in creamy curry sauce. Its so easy to make!.
Were cooking up a wonderfully comforting and spicy curry dish in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen, my friends. Care to join me?.
Curry is an ideal dish for any spicy food lover. Curries usually incorporate an intriguing mix of locally found ingredients that blend to a flavor powerhouse.
An important part of many curry pastes and seasoning blends is chili peppers, which come in a range of heat and spice levels.
This particular recipe is no different, though today were moving away from Thai and Indian cuisine where curries are more common and into the Caribbean region of the world.
Youll find curries in many parts of the world. Jamaican curry flavor profile is different from Indian curries in the overall choice of seasonings.
Youll find a heavier use of turmeric and other seasonings that form an addictive flavor base, so addictive that I think this just might become one of your favorite new recipes.
Curry Recipes Vary from Cook to Cook. Youll find variations of Jamaican curries from restaurant to restaurant and from cook to cook, speaking with great passion about whether or not to include certain seasonings, tomato or no tomato, coconut milk or not.
At the end of the day, this is your dish, so you can adjust it to the way you prefer. Ive included some options in the ingredients, though this is the way I like it.
Jamaican stew chicken, sometimes called brown stew chicken, is a hearty and tasty one-pot dish that is a mainstay of Jamaican cooking. The dish is full of complex flavors from herbs, spices, vegetables, and browning sauce that all mix to make a rich, savory gravy. After being slowly simmered in this sauce, the chicken is very moist and tender. This full guide makes it easy to make authentic Jamaican stew chicken at home.
Overview of Jamaican Stew Chicken
In Jamaica, stew chicken is usually only served on Sundays or for special events. It is considered a hearty warm and comforting meal. To make this stew, chicken pieces are first marinated in a tasty mix of herbs, spices, aromatics, and browning sauce. The chicken is then seared to make it brown and add flavor. Lastly, it cooks slowly in a sauce made from the marinade ingredients until it is soft and juicy. The chicken is then seasoned to the bone and falls off the fork while being dipped in a rich, thick brown gravy.
When made traditionally, this dish uses tough cuts of chicken cooked with the bone in, such as chicken legs or thighs. The bone adds extra chicken flavor to the gravy. Scooping up this rich sauce with a side of rice and peas or mashed green bananas is a favorite way to eat Jamaican stew chicken. It can also be served with slices of grilled breadfruit, fried plantains, or cabbage.
Ingredients Needed
- 3-4 pounds chicken legs or bone-in thighs
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, halved
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for authentic Jamaican stew chicken made from scratch.
1. Make the Marinade
In a large bowl, combine the onion, garlic, Scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, ginger, allspice, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, jerk seasoning, smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
2. Marinate the Chicken
Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and turn to coat in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the chicken to soak up all the flavors.
3. Sear the Chicken
In a large pot or Dutch oven set over medium-high heat, add one to two tablespoons of oil. Take the chicken out of the marinade and put it in the hot pot in a single layer. Let any extra marinade drip off. Sear both sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Do this in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
4. Simmer the Stew
It’s time to add the chicken back to the pot with the rest of the marinade and one cup of water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Put the lid on and cook on low heat for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the chicken is very soft and the sauce thickens.
5. Finish the Stew
Remove lid and continue simmering 15 minutes more to reduce sauce further if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve stew chicken warm over rice, with sides like fried plantains or steamed vegetables.
Tips for the Best Jamaican Stew Chicken
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Use bone-in chicken for the most flavorful gravy. Opt for thighs or drumsticks.
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Allow chicken to marinate overnight for maximum flavor absorption.
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Sear chicken well to build browned, caramelized notes.
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Simmer gently and don’t rush the cooking time for fall-off-the-bone meat.
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Leave the Scotch bonnet pepper whole for mild heat or slice it for extra spice.
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Thicken the gravy by simmering uncovered near the end.
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Swirl in a pat of butter at the end for a richer taste.
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Garnish with chopped scallions and fresh thyme leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between stew chicken and curry chicken?
Stew chicken uses more ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, and browning for a savory gravy, while curry chicken gets its flavor from Jamaican curry powder.
What cut of chicken is best?
Chicken legs or bone-in thighs work well, as they become very tender. The bone also enriches the sauce.
Can I use boneless chicken?
You can, but allow a little less cooking time. The flavor won’t be quite as deep.
What if my stew chicken is bitter?
Bitterness usually comes from burnt garlic or onions. Fix it by stirring in a little brown sugar.
What sides go with Jamaican stew chicken?
Rice and peas, fried sweet plantains, mashed green banana, steamed cabbage or collard greens are classic pairings.
Jamaican stew chicken is the ultimate hearty, flavorful one-pot meal. With this easy step-by-step guide, you can now make this iconic island dish at home. Be sure to allow time for proper marinating and simmering to let the complex flavors develop. The result is fork-tender chicken napped in a rich, aromatic brown gravy. Serve this Jamaican comfort food over rice for a mouthwatering meal everyone will love.
Jamaican Curry Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken. It’s easy to make with boneless chicken, but I like to use a whole chicken cut up or leg and thigh quarters. Its great with chicken thighs.
- Jamaican Curry Powder. For great flavor, try my recipe for Jamaican curry powder, or use your favorite store-bought blend. You can use as much or as little curry powder as you like.
- Additional Seasonings. Allspice, adobo seasoning, turmeric, thyme, and salt and black pepper. You can use your favorite Jamaican staples. General chicken seasoning is popular.
- Vegetables. Carrot, garlic, ginger, green onion, potatoes, onion, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, or Scotch bonnet peppers
- Liquids. Coconut milk or chicken broth (chicken stock) – your choice.
- Extras. Olive oil to cook with and your favorite hot sauce to taste.
Storage Information & Leftovers
Store any leftover Jamaican curry chicken in the refrigerator in sealed containers for up to 5 days. To enjoy again, gently reheat it in a pan. You can freeze the curry for up to 6 months in vacuum sealed containers.
Thats it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this outstanding Jamaican chicken curry recipe. Super tasty! Let me know if you make it. Id love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!.
If youd like to learn more about Jamaican cooking, check out the following cookbook, which I used to help adapt this recipe.
- The original Flava was made by Craig and Shaun McAnuff (affiliate link, please!).