Chicken Colombo

Name: Chicken Colombo
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Saint Lucian
Ingredients: 1kg chicken pieces, skin on; 3 tbsp colombo curry powder; 2 potatoes, cubed; 1 christophene, peeled and cubed; 1 onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 3 sprigs fresh thyme; 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, whole; 250ml water; 2 tbsp lime juice; Salt to taste

Colombo Poulet (koh-LOM-boh POO-lay)

Colombo Curry Chicken

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 428 kcal

Chicken pieces braised in a fragrant colombo curry powder sauce with potatoes, christophene, and fresh herbs. A testament to Indian influence on Saint Lucian cooking.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 34.0g

Carbs 28.0g

Fat 20.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

Dutch oven mortar and pestle cutting board

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep plate

Garnishes: fresh thyme, lime wedge

Accompaniments: white rice, fried plantain

Ingredients

1kg chicken pieces, skin on
3 tbsp colombo curry powder
2 potatoes, cubed
1 christophene, peeled and cubed
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 Scotch bonnet pepper, whole
250ml water
2 tbsp lime juice
Salt to taste

Instructions

1
Season chicken with colombo powder, garlic, lime juice, and salt. Marinate 1 hour.
2
Heat oil in a Dutch oven. Brown chicken pieces on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3
Saute onion in the same pot until softened.
4
Return chicken to pot. Add potatoes, christophene, thyme, Scotch bonnet, and water.
5
Cover and simmer 35-40 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce has thickened.
6
Remove Scotch bonnet. Adjust seasoning.
7
Serve hot with rice.

💡

Did You Know?

Colombo powder is unique to the French Caribbean islands and differs from standard curry powder by including roasted rice and mustard seeds.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

Dutch oven
mortar and pestle
cutting board

Garnishing

fresh thyme, lime wedge

Accompaniments

white rice, fried plantain

The Story Behind Chicken Colombo

Chicken colombo arrived in Saint Lucia through indentured workers from the Indian subcontinent who came to work on sugar plantations after emancipation. They brought curry spices and techniques that were adapted using local Caribbean ingredients. The colombo curry blend became distinctly Saint Lucian, incorporating roasted rice and Caribbean aromatics. Today it is considered as quintessentially Creole as any dish of African or French origin.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed sunday lunch and festive meals 📜 Origins: 19th century Indian immigrant influence

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