Description
This Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken is rich, flavorful, and slow-simmered to perfection. Tender, seasoned chicken is browned and then stewed in a savory sauce with bell peppers, carrots, and aromatic spices. A true Caribbean classic, this dish is perfect for healthy homemade recipes and pairs well with rice, dumplings, or fried plantains. Looking for healthy dinner recipes packed with protein? This high-protein recipe delivers bold flavors and a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 1/2 pounds chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or a mix)
- 1 lime or lemon (for washing chicken)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
For Cooking:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 1 sprig thyme
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper (whole or sliced, optional for spice)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon browning sauce
- 1 cup chicken stock or water
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Wash the chicken pieces with lime or lemon and water, then pat dry.
- Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, paprika, all-purpose seasoning, and soy sauce.
- Let it marinate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best results).
Brown the Chicken:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Brown the chicken pieces on all sides until golden. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, sauté the onion, bell pepper, garlic, carrots, and scallions until softened.
Build the Flavor:
- Add thyme, scotch bonnet pepper, ketchup, and browning sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
- Pour in the chicken stock or water and bring to a simmer.
Simmer the Stew:
- Return the browned chicken to the skillet, ensuring the pieces are nestled into the sauce.
- Cover and let simmer for 30–35 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Final Touches & Serving:
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve hot with rice, fried dumplings, or your favorite sides.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor.
- For extra heat, slice the scotch bonnet pepper.
- Browning sauce adds depth, but you can substitute with soy sauce and a dash of molasses.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg