Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender, marinated chicken with a rich, fragrant curry sauce. This recipe captures the vibrant spices and warmth of Jamaican cuisine, perfect for a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs organic chicken, skin removed (drumsticks and thigh pieces work great)
• 1-2 Tbsps browning, optional
• 2-3 Tbsps Jamaican Green Seasoning
• 2 Tbsps Jamaican curry powder
• 2 tsps On Everything All-Purpose Blend
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 4 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsps organic brown sugar
• 1 (14 oz) can full-fat coconut milk
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper, cored and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsps minced fresh ginger (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
• 1-3 scotch bonnet peppers (adjust to taste; habanero peppers can be used)
• 2 green onions, lightly crushed or chopped (aka scallion)
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 cup organic chicken stock, low-sodium (or chicken bone broth)
• 2 1/2 Tbsps Jamaican curry powder
• 1 Tbsp Jamaican pepper sauce
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the cleaned chicken with browning (if using), Jamaican Green Seasoning, sea salt, On Everything All-Purpose Blend, smoked paprika, and 2 tablespoons of curry powder. Mix well until the chicken is fully coated. Place the chicken in a sealed ziplock bag and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight. Before cooking, let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until it dissolves and becomes wet in texture. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until nicely seared. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons of Jamaican curry powder and cook, stirring, until the powder darkens and becomes fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the minced garlic, ginger, scotch bonnet peppers, green onions, carrots, and bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté until fragrant and vegetables start to turn golden.
5. Step 5: Stir in the allspice, salt, and black pepper. Pour in the coconut milk, chicken stock, and Jamaican pepper sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
6. Step 6: Add the seared chicken, cubed potatoes, crushed green onions, and thyme sprigs to the pot. Stir to combine, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is tender. Stir occasionally.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat. Serve the curry chicken hot with your favorite side, such as rice or steamed vegetables. Garnish with chopped scallions or red pepper flakes if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness.
• “Burning” the curry powder in oil before adding other ingredients intensifies the authentic Jamaican curry flavor.
• Adjust the number of Scotch bonnet peppers to control the spiciness, or substitute with habanero peppers for similar heat.
• Use bone broth instead of chicken stock for a richer taste.
• For a thicker sauce, let it simmer uncovered longer; for more gravy, add a bit more stock or coconut milk.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. The flavors often deepen after resting overnight. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of chicken?

Yes, drumsticks and thigh pieces are preferred for juiciness, but you can also use bone-in breasts. Just adjust cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

What is browning, and is it necessary?

Browning is a sauce used to add color and depth to Caribbean dishes. It is optional; searing the chicken with brown sugar also helps develop a rich color and flavor.

Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe

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5 from 94 reviews

Experience the rich and vibrant flavors of Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken, a classic Caribbean dish featuring tender marinated chicken simmered in a fragrant sauce made with Jamaican curry powder, coconut milk, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices. This hearty, deeply spiced curry delivers a perfect balance of warmth and spice, ideal for a satisfying family meal served alongside rice or your favorite sides.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 3 hours to overnight marination)
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes (including marination)
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Jamaican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Marinade

• 3–4 lbs. organic chicken, skin removed (drumsticks and thigh pieces preferred)
• 1–2 Tbsps browning (optional, see notes)
• 2–3 Tbsps Jamaican Green Seasoning
• 2 Tbsps Jamaican curry powder
• 2 tsps On Everything All-Purpose Blend
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Curry Sauce & Vegetables

• 4 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil (divided)
• 2 Tbsps organic brown sugar
• 1 (14 oz.) can full-fat coconut milk
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper, cored, deseeded, and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsps minced fresh ginger (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
• 1–3 scotch bonnet peppers (adjust to taste; habaneros can be substituted)
• 2 green onions (scallions), lightly crushed or chopped
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 cup organic low-sodium chicken stock (or chicken bone broth)
• 2 1/2 Tbsps Jamaican curry powder (for sauce)
• 1 Tbsp Jamaican pepper sauce
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine cleaned chicken with browning (if using), Jamaican Green Seasoning, sea salt, On Everything All-Purpose Blend, smoked paprika, and curry powder. Mix well until chicken is fully coated. Transfer to a sealed ziplock bag and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight. Before cooking, let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
2. Brown the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until it dissolves into a wet texture. Add the marinated chicken pieces and sear each side for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove the chicken and set aside.
3. Burn the Curry Powder: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Jamaican curry powder and stir continuously until it darkens to a deep brown color and releases a fragrant aroma, about 2-3 minutes. This process enhances the flavor deeply.
4. Prepare the Curry Sauce: Add minced garlic, fresh ginger, scotch bonnet peppers, green onions, carrots, and bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté until fragrant and the vegetables start to soften and turn golden. Stir in ground allspice, sea salt, and black pepper until well combined.
5. Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the full-fat coconut milk, chicken stock, and Jamaican pepper sauce. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
6. Cook the Chicken and Vegetables: Return the browned chicken to the pot along with cubed potatoes, additional chopped green onions, and thyme sprigs. Stir everything together, then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
7. Finish and Serve: Once cooked, remove from heat. Serve the curry chicken hot with your preferred side dish such as rice or steamed vegetables. Garnish with extra chopped scallions or sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired.
8. Enjoy your meal!

Notes

• Marinating overnight intensifies the flavors and tenderizes the chicken for best results.
• Browning the chicken along with brown sugar creates a deep, rich color and caramelized flavor, making the browning sauce optional.
• “Burning” the curry powder by frying it in oil until dark brown is essential to unlocking authentic Jamaican curry flavors without bitterness.
• Adjust the number of Scotch bonnet peppers according to your preferred heat level; removing seeds can reduce spiciness.
• Use full-fat coconut milk for a creamy and rich curry sauce.
• Serve with traditional sides such as white rice, rice and peas, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Keywords: Jamaican curry chicken, Caribbean chicken curry, authentic Jamaican recipe, spicy chicken curry, coconut milk curry, island cuisine