Brown Stew Chicken Recipe

I love a good low and slow stew for a cozy weekend evening, and this brown stew chicken recipe is a favorite in my household. This Jamaican dish is spicy and loaded with tender pieces of chicken that are simmered with hearty veggies in a thick gravy.

📝 Ingredients

• 4 pounds bone-in chicken thighs (or drumsticks)
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon (or chicken base)
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• 2 habanero peppers (seeded and minced)
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 large onion (peeled and chopped)
• 2 large carrots (sliced)
• 1 bell pepper (seeded and chopped)
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon browning seasoning
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 cups water

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Marinate the Chicken - ---
2. 2Place the chicken pieces in a large zip bag. Add the chicken bouillon, scallions, minced habanero, garlic, thyme, ginger, paprika, and black pepper. Zip the bag closed and massage the chicken pieces to coat with seasoning on all sides. Place the chicken in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours. (You can marinate overnight if desired.)
3. 3--- Brown the Chicken - ---
4. 4Set a large 7-8 quart dutch oven (or pot) over medium heat. Place the oil in the pot. Once hot, add the chicken pieces, and as much of the marinade seasoning as possible, into the pot. Brown the chicken pieces on both sides, rotating the pieces as needed. (This will go faster if you pot is wider like a dutch oven.)
5. 5--- Make the Stew Base - ---
6. 6Remove the chicken pieces and place on a holding plate. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and bell peppers to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes to soften.
7. 7Move the chicken pieces back to the pot. Add the ketchup, brown sugar, browning seasoning, bay leaves and water. Stir well. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
8. 8Then remove the lid, stir and simmer another 10 to thicken the gravy. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.