Brown Stew Chicken with Bold Caribbean Flavor
Brown stew chicken is a bold, aromatic Caribbean dish featuring marinated chicken simmered in a rich, caramelized tomato sauce with herbs and peppers. A comforting, protein-packed favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating)
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks
1 small onion, sliced
2 scallions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1 bell pepper, sliced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 cup diced tomatoes or 2 tbsp tomato paste
1 Scotch bonnet pepper (whole or sliced)
1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme
1 teaspoon allspice
1 tablespoon lime juice or vinegar
2 tablespoons neutral oil
1 cup chicken broth or water
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate chicken with onion, scallions, garlic, ginger, thyme, allspice, salt, pepper, and lime juice for at least 2 hours.
- In a large pot, heat oil and melt brown sugar until dark amber.
- Sear chicken on both sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté reserved vegetables and add bell pepper and tomatoes. Cook 2–3 minutes.
- Return chicken to pot, add broth, and Scotch bonnet. Bring to boil, then simmer 30–40 minutes covered.
- Uncover and simmer another 10–15 minutes to thicken sauce.
- Remove Scotch bonnet and thyme. Adjust seasoning and serve.
Notes
Best with rice or plantains. Make ahead for deeper flavor. Freeze for up to 2 months.