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Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

Savory Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken for Heartwarming Meals

Enjoy a comforting and customizable Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken, perfect for family gatherings and weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Jamaican
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 pieces Bone-in Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks
  • 1 cube Chicken Bouillon or Chicken Base (low-sodium)
For the Marinade
  • 4 stalks Chopped Scallions or green onions
  • 1 piece Habanero Pepper or jalapeño for a mild option
  • 4 cloves Minced Garlic or garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Thyme Leaves or a smaller amount of dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon Freshly Grated Ginger or ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika or regular paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground preferred
For the Stew
  • 2 tablespoons Oil (Olive or Vegetable)
  • 1 medium Onion (Chopped) or shallots
  • 2 medium Carrots (Sliced) or other root veggies
  • 1 medium Bell Pepper (Chopped) any sweet pepper variety
  • 1/2 cup Ketchup or tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar or honey/maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon Browning Seasoning or Maggi seasoning/soy sauce
  • 2 pieces Bay Leaves
For the Base
  • 2 cups Water/Chicken Broth chicken broth preferred

Equipment

  • dutch oven
  • Zip bag

Method
 

Steps to Make
  1. Marinate the Chicken: Combine the chicken with bouillon, scallions, habanero, garlic, thyme, ginger, paprika, and pepper in a zip bag. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours—overnight enhances the flavor even more!
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the marinated chicken for 5-7 minutes on all sides until it's beautifully golden brown.
  3. Sauté the Vegetables: Remove the chicken and add onions, carrots, and bell pepper to the same pot. Sauté them for about 5 minutes until softened, creating a flavorful base.
  4. Prepare the Stew Base: Return the browned chicken to the pot and add ketchup, brown sugar, browning seasoning, bay leaves, and enough water or chicken broth to cover. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes to develop those rich flavors.
  5. Simmer and Thicken: Stir the stew and simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes. This will help thicken the sauce; if you like it thicker, you can use a cornstarch slurry for extra body.
  6. Adjust Seasoning: Take a moment to taste the stew. Season with salt and black pepper as needed for the perfect flavor balance.
  7. Serve and Enjoy: Serve this hearty stew hot over fluffy rice, and don’t forget to garnish with fresh herbs for that extra pop of flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2000IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Optional: Serve with baked plantains for a delightful side!

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