Authentic Brown Stew Chicken: Jamaican Flavors at Their Finest {Recipe}

Welcome to the vibrant flavors of Jamaica in the form of our mouthwatering Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken recipe. This classic Caribbean dish is a celebration of rich spices, tender chicken, and a tantalizing sauce that will bring joy to any table.

The chicken is marinated in a medley of aromatic herbs and spices, then lovingly stewed until it reaches irresistible levels of tenderness. Each bite is a symphony of bold flavors that dance on your palate, leaving you craving for more.

Authentic Jamaican brown stew chicken that is deeply flavored, intensely aromatic and straight classic Caribbean island vibes.

Brown stew chicken is another Jamaican classic like jerk chicken and curry chicken. That browning sauce hits like a good jerk seasoning. You might say, it's just chicken stew, but you know Jamaican food hit different. Those spices and that brown sauce takes this way beyond your typical stewed chicken.

Chicken is browned and then braised slowly for tender, delicious chicken pieces perfect for Sunday family dinner or make-ahead weeknight dish.

What Is Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

Jamaican brown stew chicken is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a winter meal. The chicken is simmered in a flavorful brown gravy, and the dish is often served with rice and beans.

The key to making this dish truly authentically Jamaican is to use a browning sauce, which gives the gravy its characteristic dark color. While this dish may take some time to prepare, it is well worth the effort, and your family and friends will be sure to enjoy it.

What Is Browning Sauce

Browning sauce, also known as kitchen bouquet, is a commercial sauce used to add a rich, dark color to dishes. It is commonly used in Caribbean and Southern cuisines, including Jamaican brown chicken stew. Made from a blend of caramelized sugar, vegetable concentrate, and spices, browning sauce helps to deepen the color and enhance the visual appeal of the dish.

Additionally, it adds a subtle hint of flavor, contributing to the overall taste profile of the dish. Browning sauce is typically added in small amounts to achieve the desired color and can be found in the condiment or seasoning aisle of most grocery stores.

Beats and Eats (music pairing for Brown Stew Chicken)

This brown stew chicken recipe is almost celebratory so you need to pair it with an up-tempo reggae classic like Mr. Vegas' "Heads High."

JAMAICAN BROWN STEW CHICKEN INGREDIENTS

For the chicken

• Chicken Pieces
• Browning Sauce
• Kosher Salt
• Black Pepper
• Paprika
• Ground Sage
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder

For the marinade

• All Spice Berries
• Red Onion
• Bell pepper - I like bell pepper medley of colors for presentation and mix of flavors
• Garlic Cloves
• Fresh Ginger
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper or Habanero Pepper
• Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
• Green onions

For the gravy

• Butter
• Ketchup
• Chicken Stock - I prefer homemade chicken stock for flavor and less salt
• Hot Sauce or a bit of Worcestershire sauce (optional)

HOW TO MAKE AUTHENTIC BROWN STEW CHICKEN

The deep intense flavor and the list of ingredients would suggest this is a complicated dish. The reality is altogether different as this chicken dish couldn’t be more simple to make. The key is patience.

Step 1 Prepare the Chicken

Clean the chicken thoroughly using a combination of water and lime juice. Set aside.

Mix all the dry spices together in a small mixing bowl or ramekin.

Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl. Season it well with the variety of aromatic spices, browning sauce, and marinade ingredients. Marinate the chicken overnight.

Step 2 Brown the Chicken

Preheat large pan or skillet over medium high heat. Add olive oil.

Separate the chicken from the vegetables, removing as many garlic and ginger pieces as possible.

Add the chicken to the hot oil and brown. Remove the chicken, set it aside, and then saute the vegetables.

Add the the marinade mix including the fresh thyme and the scotch bonnet chili to the skillet and saute 2-3 minutes. Add a pinch or two of the spice seasoning mix.

Step 3 Make the Gravy

Make the gravy by adding the chicken broth, ketchup, butter, and hot sauce. Mix well being sure to deglaze the bottom of the pot by using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the left behind browned bits.

Step 4 Finish the Chicken

Add the chicken pieces back to the pan. Cover and simmer 30-45 minutes.

Remove the chicken, increase the heat, and reduce the sauce. Serve the chicken over rice topped with the sauce. Garnish with green onions.

What To Serve With Brown Stew Chicken

When serving Jamaican brown stew chicken, there are several delicious accompaniments that complement its rich flavors. Here are some traditional options:

1. rice and peas: A classic side dish in Jamaican cuisine, rice and peas (made with kidney beans) adds texture and complements the flavors of the stewed chicken.
2. Jamaican-style coleslaw: A refreshing and tangy coleslaw with a Caribbean twist pairs well with the hearty stewed chicken.
3. Fried plantains: Sweet and caramelized fried plantains provide a delightful contrast to the savory chicken.
4. Fried black eyed peas: Quick cook pan-fried black-eyed peas flavored with smoked paprika, garlic, and peppers.
5. Steamed vegetables: Lightly steamed or stir-fried vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers add freshness and balance to the meal.
6. Cauliflower curry: vegan cauliflower recipe featuring florets slow simmers in complex and aromatic curry sauce
7. Mofongo: deep-fried green plantains mashed together with other ingredients such as pork or seafood

AUTHENTIC JAMAICAN BROWN STEW CHICKEN COOKING CONSIDERATIONS AND TIPS

If you don’t have browning sauce you can make your own homemade browning sauce by burning sugar in the skillet. To do this you cook brown sugar in a skillet until it melts to almost like a syrup consistency. Add boiling water (slowly) after it’s melted and constantly stir to a thinner sauce consistency.

I prefer dark meat chicken like chicken legs and/or thighs for brown stew chicken. Dark meat results in more tender chicken, as it's really easy to overcook breasts.

Cut the chicken into small pieces. This makes for a faster cook and makes it easier to brown all parts of the chicken.

Rich brown stew gravy is the key to making a banging Jamaican brown stew chicken recipe.

Habanero can be substituted for scotch bonnet. You can dice the chili and add to the marinade. Alternatively you can cut slits into the sides of a whole chili and place in the skillet during cooking. It's a pretty hot pepper so I prefer the latter approach of adding the whole pepper to the pan. It adds much flavor without adding overpowering heat.

Wash the chicken in something acidic like lime juice or cider vinegar.

For a quicker easy weeknight version try this instant pot brown stew chicken recipe.

Serve the finished chicken with Jamaican side dish recipes like coconut rice, Jamaican rice and peas, or Jamaican cabbage. Though it's not Jamaican a plate of roasted leeks also make for a good pairing.

Jamaican Stewed Chicken Recipe Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What kind of chicken should I use for this recipe?

You can use any type of chicken for this recipe, but we recommend using bone-in dark meat (chicken legs or chicken thighs).

Can I make this recipe in the slow cooker?

Yes, you can make this recipe in the slow cooker. Simply add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. However, as a first step you'll want brown the chicken in a skillet first.

Can I make brown stew chicken in advance?

Yes, you can make brown stew chicken in advance. In fact, the flavors tend to develop and become even more delicious when the stew is allowed to sit for a few hours or overnight before serving.

Can I adjust the level of spiciness in the stew?

Yes, you can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less Scotch bonnet pepper or using a milder chili pepper variety.

How can I thicken the sauce if it's too thin?

To thicken the sauce, you can mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and add it to the simmering stew. Alternatively, you can remove the chicken pieces from the stew, increase the heat, and let the sauce reduce until desired thickness is reached.

MORE CHICKEN-BASED RECIPES

make this brown stewed chicken recipe

Our Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken recipe is a true masterpiece of Caribbean cuisine. With its tantalizing blend of flavors, tender chicken, and aromatic spices, it's a dish that brings warmth, comfort, and a taste of the Caribbean to your table.

This Jamaican brown stew chicken recipe is definitely worth trying. The unique flavors will transport you to the Caribbean and make your taste buds happy. We highly recommend giving this dish a try, especially if you’re looking for something new and exciting to add to your dinner rotation.

If you make this recipe for Jamaican brown stew chicken or any other from the site, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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