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Brown stew chicken is a staple in Jamaica. It is one of those meals, that is not difficult to prepare, once you have all your ingredients available – clean, chopped and ready to go.  You can enjoy this chicken with rice, ground provisions, fried dumplings, roast breadfruit or anything you have available including some bread.   Try it nuh!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ½ lbs. chicken, clean and cut into reasonable size pieces (based on your preference).
• 1 medium-sized onion.
• A few stalks of Scallion/Green onion, cleaned and cut into small pieces.
• 3-4 pegs of garlic, cleaned and cut into small pieces.
• A few pieces of fresh/dried thyme.
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar.
• 1 tsp. paprika.
• 1 medium-sized bell pepper.
• 1-2 tsp browning sauce.
• 2-3 Tbsp. ketchup.
• ½ tsp. black pepper.
• 2 -3 Tbsp cooking oil.
• Salt to taste.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Place chicken in a bowl.
• Add seasonings:
  •  Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Paprika
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Scallion/Green Onions
• Combine seasonings with chicken (Use a spoon or hands).
• Set aside and let it marinate for a while (30 minutes to an hour or more).
• In a frying pan, add oil.
• When the oil is hot, remove the seasonings from the chicken pieces, pat dry and add to oil and brown on both sides (not burned). Pat-drying the chicken will help to prevent it from sticking when being fried.
• Remove the pieces of chicken when done, place them in a bowl and set them aside.
• To the same pot, add a bit more oil if needed, and add the remaining seasonings, even the ones that the chicken was marinated in. You can leave a little of the seasonings as well to add to the pot when the chicken is being stewed.
• Stir, then add browning and continue to stir.
• Add chicken and continue to stir.
• Add water (ensure that it covers the chicken).
• Add ketchup and sugar and continue to stir.
• You can add a little bit more browning (1/2 tsp) if needed.
• Let it cook for about 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.
• Continue to adjust for taste by adding salt or more pepper if needed.
• Add a little bit more water if after 35 minutes the chicken is not yet cooked. Also, adjust for taste (by adding more seasonings, salt, ketchup, etc.).
• When cooked, turn off the stove.
• Serve and Enjoy with your favourite food kind – Rice, ground provisions, etc.

Notes:

You can also add the browning sauce to the chicken itself. This is how some Jamaicans cook their stew chicken.   You can also add powdered seasons when being cooked or adjusting for taste. Powdered seasonings such as garlic powder and onion powder can help to boost the flavour and taste. I enjoyed my stew chicken with some rice and peas (using black-eyed peas) and some vegetables to the side.  It was good.  I always enjoy stew chicken and never get bored.  Hope you will enjoy it too!

You can also check out these other Jamaican dishes:

• Jamaican Seasoned Rice Recipe with an added Nutritional Twist!
• Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge – A Breakfast Idea!
• Jamaican Ackee and Saltfish – The dish of all dishes!
• Quinoa and Lentils

 Editor’s Note: The article was updated in April 2024.

Ingredient Spotlight!

~ Scallion/Green Onions~

Scallions or Green onions are a leafy herb that belongs to the tunicate bulb vegetable family like onions and shallots.  They are said to be low in calories but are packed with nutrients such as antioxidants, plant-based fibre as well as vitamins and minerals.  The vitamins and minerals in scallions include potassium, calcium, copper, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, K, Thiamin (B1) etc.

Scallions are also purported to be able to help in the prevention of infections as well as helping to protect the body’s cells against damage due to their phytonutrients and antioxidant properties.

To good health!

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