Description
Spiced, savory, and soul-warming, this Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken recipe is the kind of meal that brings people to the table. Packed with flavor from marinated chicken, aromatic vegetables, and the richness of browning sauce, it’s a classic Caribbean comfort food dish. Perfect for a quick dinner or weekend meal prep, it also fits right into lists like quick dinner ideas, easy recipes, comfort food classics, or island-inspired food ideas. Serve it over rice or with fried plantains, and you’ve got a dish that’s deeply satisfying and full of personality.
Ingredients
1.5 to 2 lbs bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks
2 tablespoons browning sauce
1 Scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup bell peppers (mix of red, green, yellow), chopped
1 medium tomato, diced
2 green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon allspice (pimento)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup water or chicken broth
Instructions
1. Wash chicken in vinegar and water solution, then pat dry.
2. Season with salt, black pepper, allspice, browning sauce, garlic, thyme, and brown sugar. Mix well and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Brown the chicken pieces in batches on all sides. Set aside.
4. In the same pot, sauté onion, bell peppers, garlic, and scallions until softened and aromatic.
5. Add tomato, remaining thyme, and any safe leftover marinade. Stir to combine.
6. Pour in water or chicken broth, then return chicken to the pot.
7. Add Scotch bonnet pepper. Cover and simmer on low heat for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Simmer uncovered if you want to thicken the sauce further.
9. Serve hot over rice, with fried plantains or your favorite side.
Notes
Let the chicken marinate overnight for maximum flavor.
Control the spice level by adjusting or removing the Scotch bonnet pepper.
If your stew is too thin at the end, remove the lid and let it simmer uncovered for the last 10 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: brown stew chicken, Jamaican recipe, chicken stew, Caribbean dinner, island food