Brown Stew Chicken

Name: Brown Stew Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Jamaican
Ingredients: 1.5kg chicken pieces, bone-in; 2 tbsp browning sauce; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 2 tomatoes, diced; 1 onion, sliced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 stalks scallion, chopped; 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, whole; 3 sprigs fresh thyme; 2 tsp allspice; 2 tbsp ketchup; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; Salt and black pepper; 250ml water

Brown Stew Chicken (brown STEW CHICK-en)

Caramelized Braised Chicken

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour 30 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 450 kcal

Chicken pieces browned in caramelized sugar, then braised in a rich gravy with tomatoes, onions, allspice, and Scotch bonnet until fork-tender.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 38.0g

Carbs 16.0g

Fat 26.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

Dutch oven wooden spoon sharp knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep serving dish

Garnishes: scallion, thyme

Accompaniments: rice and peas, steamed cabbage

Ingredients

1.5kg chicken pieces, bone-in
2 tbsp browning sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tomatoes, diced
1 onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks scallion, chopped
1 Scotch bonnet pepper, whole
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tsp allspice
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt and black pepper
250ml water

Instructions

1
Season chicken with garlic, thyme, scallion, allspice, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Marinate at least one hour for best flavor.
2
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add brown sugar and let it caramelize until dark amber, about two minutes.
3
Add chicken pieces to the caramelized sugar and sear until deeply browned on all sides. Work in batches to avoid crowding.
4
Add onion, tomatoes, ketchup, browning sauce, and water. Stir to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
5
Add whole Scotch bonnet on top without piercing it. Cover and simmer on low for forty-five minutes until chicken is tender.
6
Uncover and cook ten more minutes to thicken the gravy. Remove Scotch bonnet before serving with rice and peas.

💡

Did You Know?

The browning sauce used in this dish is a Jamaican pantry staple made from caramelized sugar and is used to give meats their distinctive dark color.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

Dutch oven
wooden spoon
sharp knife

Garnishing

scallion, thyme

Accompaniments

rice and peas, steamed cabbage

The Story Behind Brown Stew Chicken

Brown stew chicken is arguably the most commonly cooked dish in Jamaican homes, a weeknight staple that every Jamaican learns to prepare. The technique of browning sugar before adding meat creates a distinctive caramel depth that sets Jamaican braised dishes apart. Unlike jerk chicken which requires outdoor grilling, brown stew chicken is pure home cooking, prepared in a single pot and served with the ever-present rice and peas.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed weekday dinner or sunday lunch 📜 Origins: Traditional Jamaican home cooking

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