This Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken is full of Caribbean flavor and a perfect main dish for any day of the week. It’s the perfect stewed chicken dish when you want to have a taste of the islands.
![brown stew chicken in pot with blue towel behind it](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brown-stew-chicken-15.jpg)
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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
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We had brown stewed chicken quite often growing up and it quickly became one of my favorite stew recipes. It was on a weekly rotation in our house and we would have it more often than we had these amazing oxtails.
Brown stew chicken takes a little more time than most traditional stew recipes you will find. The meat is washed and then marinated in “seasoning” which includes chopped aromatics and a few dry seasonings. The meat is then lightly browned on the stovetop or in the oven, and then stewed for about 30-40 minutes until the meat is fall off the bone tender.
I’ve ventured from my parent’s recipe by using boneless and skinless chicken, mainly because I’m not a fan of chicken skin in stew. You could use chicken with skin and bone on it, just expect to cook it longer.
How to Make Brown Stew Chicken
First, rinse your chicken with some vinegar and water. I’m sure some will wonder why. This is just a rule from my mom and almost anyone from the Caribbean. So I do it. No questions asked.
Place your chicken pieces in a bowl along with the brown sugar, browning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, dried thyme, black pepper, allspice, garlic cloves, ginger, onions, and peppers. That’s a lot, but oh so necessary if you want those deep flavors. Mix ingredients, making sure the chicken is fully covered. Cover and place in the fridge and allow the meat to marinate for at least 1 hour. If you can, allow it to marinate overnight.
![raw chicken with peppers, onions, and other seasonings in glass bowl](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brown-stew-chicken-2.jpg)
When ready to cook, remove the onions, peppers, garlic, and ginger from the chicken and place in a separate bowl.
![two glass bowls, one with peppers and onions and the other with raw chicken](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brown-stew-chicken-3.jpg)
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add oil, and then add chicken pieces and brown on each side, for about 2 minutes.
![chicken being browned in pan](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brown-stew-chicken-4.jpg)
Remove chicken and add reserved seasonings to the pot and sauté until softened, for about 5 minutes.
![peppers and onions being browned in pan](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brown-stew-chicken-6.jpg)
Add chicken back to skillet along with chicken broth, water, and ketchup. Bring mixture to a simmer and cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, to reduce the gravy.
![chicken pieces cooking in pot](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brown-stew-chicken-7.jpg)
Serve and enjoy.
![close up photo of brown stew chicken in pan with thyme leaves on top](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brown-stew-chicken-12.jpg)
Recipes to serve with:
Other Jamaican Recipes to Try:
- Brown Stew Fish
- Jamaican Curry Chicken
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken
- Rum Punch
- Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Callaloo and Saltfish
- Jamaican Banana Fritters
- Jamaican Stew Peas
or have a look at all my Caribbean inspired recipes.
Watch this video tutorial and see how I make this brown stew chicken from start to finish.
Brown Stew Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons browning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 3 spring onions chopped
- ½ green bell pepper chopped
- ½ red bell pepper chopped
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper seeds removed and chopped
- 4 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 inch ginger chopped
- ¼ cup oil
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Add chicken, brown sugar, browning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, dried thyme, black pepper, allspice, onions, green pepper, red pepper, scotch bonnet, garlic cloves, and ginger to a bowl and mix, rubbing seasoning into the chicken. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Remove peppers, onions, garlic, ginger and thyme from chicken and set aside. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat and add chicken, brown for about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove chicken and add reserved onions and peppers to the skillet and sauté until softened, for about 5 minutes. Add chicken back to skillet along with chicken broth, water, and ketchup.
- Bring mixture to a simmer and cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, to reduce the gravy. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Brown stew chicken is traditionally cooked with a whole chicken that has been chopped into smaller pieces. Feel free to skip this by using chicken thighs or legs.
- With any stew, dark meat works best as chicken breast can overcook and dry out. Dark meat also has more flavor. I generally opt for chicken thighs, chicken legs, and chicken wings when it comes to this recipe.
Nicole
Monday 1st of July 2024
Hands down 10/10! Hubby and I loved it. I'll be making this again!
Tanya
Monday 1st of July 2024
Thanks Nicole, so happy you all liked the recipe :)
Michele M
Saturday 29th of June 2024
Chicken came out perfect! My family loved it!!! Thanks for sharing
Tanya
Sunday 30th of June 2024
Thanks so much, Michele M. So happy you enjoyed the recipe :)
Beth F.
Tuesday 25th of June 2024
This recipe is great! I highly recommend you give it a try. Delicious!!!!
Tanya
Wednesday 26th of June 2024
Thanks so much Beth! So happy you liked the recipe :)
Quiana
Monday 24th of June 2024
After moving down south from NYC, I needed my Jamaican Food fix and this recipe did not disappoint! Tasted authentic and just like home. My Caribbean boyfriend was even ready to marry me after eating it :D Perfect recipe thank you!
Tanya
Monday 24th of June 2024
Thanks Quiana! So happy you and your boyfriend liked the recipe :)
Kay
Tuesday 18th of June 2024
Loved this dish. I cooked mine in the insta pot was very yummy. I used 3 habanero peppers love heat. This will be in my monthly rotation.
Tanya
Wednesday 19th of June 2024
Thanks so much, Kay! So happy you like the recipe :)