Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe
This authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken recipe combines tender chicken pieces simmered in a fragrant curry sauce made with curry powder, onions, and garlic. This one-pot dish is a delicious Caribbean favorite that’s easy to prepare and perfect served alongside steamed rice for a comforting and flavorful meal.
- Author: Lara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Chicken
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Jamaican curry powder
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season them generously with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of curry powder. This step infuses the meat with the signature warm and earthy flavors of Jamaican curry.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Chicken and Curry Powder: Add the seasoned chicken into the pan and brown each side for 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining curry powder over the chicken and stir well to coat the pieces evenly with the spices.
- Simmer the Chicken: Add about 1 cup of water or chicken broth to the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender, stirring occasionally.
- Serve: Once the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, remove from heat and serve hot with steamed white rice or your preferred side dish.
Notes
- For extra heat, add Scotch bonnet peppers or a pinch of cayenne pepper when sautéing the onions.
- Bone-in chicken thighs provide more flavor and stay moist, but boneless can be used for quicker cooking.
- To deepen the curry flavor, you can toast the curry powder briefly in the dry pan before adding oil and aromatics.
- Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.
Keywords: Jamaican, Curry Chicken, Caribbean, chicken recipe, one-pot meal, easy dinner