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 recipe is no different, but today we’re moving away from curries that are more common in Thai and Indian food and toward dishes from the Caribbean.
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. Jamaican curries are different from one restaurant to the next and from one cook to the next. Cooks are very passionate about whether to add certain spices, tomatoes, or coconut milk.
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, also known as brown stew chicken, is a delicious and comforting one-pot meal that is a staple in Jamaican cuisine This dish is full of complex flavors from herbs, spices, vegetables, and browning sauce that all come together to create a rich, savory gravy. The chicken is incredibly moist and tender after being slowly simmered in this sauce Making authentic Jamaican stew chicken at home is easy to do with this complete guide.
Overview of Jamaican Stew Chicken
Jamaican stew chicken is typically served on Sundays or for special occasions in Jamaica. It is considered a hearty warm and comforting meal. This stew is made by first marinating chicken pieces in a flavorful blend of herbs, spices, aromatics, and browning sauce. Then, the chicken is seared to give it color and develop flavor. Finally, it simmers low and slow in a sauce made from the marinade ingredients until tender and succulent. The result is chicken that is seasoned to the bone and falling off the fork, napped in a luscious, 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
Add the ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, jerk seasoning, smoked paprika, onion, garlic, Scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, ginger, allspice, and mix well. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of 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
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off, and place in the hot pot in a single layer. 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?
For a savory gravy, stew chicken has more ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, and browning. Curry chicken, on the other hand, gets its flavor from Jamaican curry powder.
What cut of chicken is best?
This recipe works well with chicken legs or thighs that still have the bones in them. 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!.
Check out this cookbook if you want to learn more about Jamaican cooking. I used it to help me change this recipe.
- The original Flava was made by Craig and Shaun McAnuff (affiliate link, please!).