Description
Jamaican curry chicken brings Caribbean warmth to your kitchen with rich, spicy flavors dancing across tender meat. Fragrant spices and traditional island techniques create a memorable meal that transports you straight to Jamaica’s culinary heart.
Ingredients
Scale
main ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp jamaican curry powder
vegetables:
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 green onions
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper
liquid and seasonings:
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse chicken thighs and pat completely dry with paper towels to ensure crisp seasoning absorption.
- Massage Jamaican curry powder, salt, and black pepper directly into chicken pieces, coating each thigh comprehensively for deep flavor penetration.
- Dice onions, mince garlic, and finely chop green onions and scotch bonnet pepper, preparing all aromatics for intense flavor development.
- Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Sear seasoned chicken thighs in hot oil, creating a golden-brown crust on each side, rotating carefully to achieve even caramelization, about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Add chopped onions, garlic, and scotch bonnet pepper to the skillet, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release their robust flavors.
- Incorporate tomato paste, thyme, and lime juice, stirring vigorously to create a rich, complex sauce coating the chicken.
- Pour water into the skillet, reducing heat to low, and cover. Simmer chicken for 25-30 minutes, allowing meat to become tender and absorb all spice nuances.
- Verify chicken’s doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring safe and succulent results.
- Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh green onions before serving over rice.
Notes
- Dry chicken thoroughly to maximize seasoning adherence and create crispy exterior texture.
- Toast curry powder briefly in dry skillet before seasoning to intensify aromatic spice profile and unlock deeper flavor dimensions.
- Adjust scotch bonnet pepper quantity based on personal heat tolerance, removing seeds for milder version or adding extra for spice enthusiasts.
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for richer flavor and more tender meat compared to boneless alternatives, which can dry out more quickly during cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg