Description
This Brown Stew Chicken is a beloved Caribbean classic featuring tender chicken simmered in a deeply flavorful, caramelized brown sauce with onions, peppers, thyme, and warming spices. Rich, savory, and slightly sweet, this comforting stew is perfect with rice and peas, white rice, or fried plantains.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 2 ½–3 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in thighs, drumsticks, or mixed)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp browning sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp allspice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp vinegar or lime juice
For the Stew
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional: 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (whole, not cut)
Instructions
1. Season the Chicken
- Clean chicken with vinegar or lime juice and rinse.
- Pat dry and season with soy sauce, browning sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, allspice, garlic, thyme, and vinegar.
- Marinate at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
2. Brown the Chicken
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Sprinkle brown sugar into oil and let melt until dark brown (not burnt).
- Add chicken pieces skin-side down and brown on all sides.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Build the Stew
- In the same pot, sauté onions, bell pepper, carrot, and scallions until softened.
- Return chicken to the pot.
- Add broth, bay leaf, and Scotch bonnet (if using).
- Bring to a simmer.
4. Simmer
- Cover and cook on low heat 35–45 minutes, until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
- Stir occasionally and adjust seasoning as needed.
5. Serve
- Remove bay leaf and Scotch bonnet.
- Serve hot with rice, peas, or vegetables.
Notes
- Browning sauce gives authentic color, but caramelized sugar works beautifully.
- Keep Scotch bonnet whole to add flavor without extreme heat.
- Chicken tastes even better the next day.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT45M
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 130mg