Description
A flavorful and hearty Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken recipe featuring tender, seared chicken thighs simmered in a rich sauce of vegetables, herbs, and spices. This comforting dish is perfect served over rice or alongside your favorite vegetables, delivering a balanced combination of savory, sweet, and mildly spicy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 large sweet onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (any color)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 2 carrots, sliced
Liquids & Seasonings
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for searing (e.g., vegetable or canola oil)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop all vegetables as specified. Rinse the chicken thighs under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Sear Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for about 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp. Flip and sear the other side for an additional 6-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onions and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they become fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Add the sliced bell pepper, sliced carrots, fresh thyme, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer Chicken: Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let everything simmer gently for 30-35 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and drizzle the fresh lime juice over the stew for a bright, tangy finish. Serve the brown stew chicken hot, ideally over steamed rice or with your favorite cooked vegetables.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the spiciness according to taste preferences.
- Using low-sodium soy sauce and chicken broth helps manage the salt content of the dish.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with drumsticks or breasts, but thighs are preferred for juiciness and flavor.
- For extra depth, marinate the chicken in soy sauce and lime juice for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Serve with Jamaican rice and peas or steamed white rice for a traditional pairing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Jamaican
