Description
A bold and flavorful Caribbean chicken stew made with Jamaican curry powder, bone-in chicken, and tender potatoes. This Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken is perfect over rice for a comforting and spicy dinner.
Ingredients
2 ½ pounds bone-in chicken (drumsticks or thighs)
2 tablespoons Jamaican curry powder (plus 1 tsp for toasting)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Scotch bonnet pepper or habanero, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium carrot, sliced (optional)
2 cups water (or enough to cover chicken halfway)
Instructions
1. Season chicken with 2 tablespoons curry powder, salt, pepper, garlic, ginger, and a tablespoon of oil. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a large pot. Add 1 teaspoon of curry powder and toast until fragrant.
3. Add chicken and brown on all sides in batches if needed.
4. Remove chicken and sauté onion, garlic, thyme, and Scotch bonnet in the same pot.
5. Return chicken to the pot. Add potatoes, carrots, and enough water to cover halfway.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Cover and cook 30–40 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot over rice or with roti.
Notes
Toasting the curry powder in oil before cooking deepens its flavor and brings out its aroma.
Bone-in chicken delivers better flavor and richness to the dish than boneless cuts.
For milder heat, remove the seeds from the Scotch bonnet or use just half a pepper.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 115mg