Easy Jamaican Curry Chicken for Family Dinners
Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken is a bold, spiced stew of bone-in chicken simmered in a rich curry sauce with thyme, garlic, and Scotch bonnet. It’s a comforting, one-pot island favorite best served with rice or roti.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
2½–3 lbs bone-in chicken pieces
2 tbsp lime juice or vinegar
1½ tbsp Jamaican curry powder (plus 1 tbsp for toasting)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 scallions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp grated ginger
1 sprig thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
1 small onion, chopped
1 chopped potato (optional)
1 Scotch bonnet pepper
2 tbsp oil
1½–2 cups water or chicken broth
Instructions
- Clean chicken with lime juice. Pat dry.
- In a bowl, season chicken with curry powder, salt, pepper, scallions, garlic, ginger, thyme, and half the onion. Marinate 1 hour or overnight.
- Heat oil in a pot. Toast 1 tbsp curry powder for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken and brown on all sides.
- Add reserved marinade, potatoes, remaining onion, and whole Scotch bonnet.
- Pour in enough broth or water to barely cover. Bring to boil, then reduce heat.
- Cover and simmer 30–35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Uncover and simmer 10–15 minutes to thicken sauce. Adjust salt. Remove Scotch bonnet before serving.
Notes
Use authentic Jamaican curry powder for best flavor. Serve with white rice, roti, or fried plantains. For extra richness, add a splash of coconut milk at the end.