Name: Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients: One 5-pound (2.25kg) chicken; 2 tablespoons (30ml) fresh lime juice, from 1-2 limes; 2 tablespoons (30ml) Jamaican browning sauce, such as Grace or Gravy Master brands, divided; 1 tablespoon (15ml) Chinese dark soy sauce; 2 1/2 teaspoons (8g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt, divided; for table salt, use half as much by volume; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons (45ml) neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola; 1 medium yellow onion (8 ounces; 225g), peeled, halved, and sliced 1/4-inch thick (about 2 cups); 1 medium red, orange, or yellow bell pepper (6 ounces; 170g), cored, seeded, and sliced 1/4-inch thick (about 1 1/2 cups); 3 plum tomatoes (about 9 ounces; 255g total), cored and diced (about 1 cup); 3 scallions (1 ounce; 30g), ends trimmed, white and green parts sliced crosswise ¼ inch thick; 3 medium garlic cloves, sliced; 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 2 teaspoons (5g) cornstarch; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (1 ounce; 30g); 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper (optional, see note); 5 allspice berries; 1/4 cup ketchup (1 ounce; 30g); White rice, rice and peas, and/or cooked cabbage, for serving

Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

Tender pieces of marinated and seared chicken in a rich and silky mahogany gravy.

1 hr 50 min total 10 min prep 1 hr 40 min cook 6 961 cal

Instructions

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1 Using a heavy knife, cut the chicken into 8 pieces . Cut each bone-in breast in thirds crosswise to yield 3 pieces, to make 12 pieces of chicken in total. Remove chicken skin only if desired.
2 In a large bowl, stir together lime juice, 1 tablespoon (15ml) browning sauce, dark soy sauce, 2 teaspoons salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 and up to 8 hours.
3 In a large Dutch oven or sauté pan, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, add chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a platter, and reserve marinade.
4 Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes to the pot and cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom to release any browned bits, until vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes.
5 Add scallions, garlic, and thyme and cook, stirring, until garlic and scallions are softened but not browned, about 1 minute. Stir in cornstarch and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
6 Add 2 cups (475ml) water along with the reserved marinade, sugar, Scotch bonnet, allspice, and the remaining 1 tablespoon (15ml) browning. Nestle the chicken drumsticks, thighs, and wings into the braising liquid, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 40 minutes.
7 Nestle the reserved chicken breasts into the stew, cover, and simmer until chicken breasts register 155°F (70°C) on an instant-read thermometer, about 20 minutes.
8 Stir in ketchup and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, then simmer over medium-low heat, uncovered, until sauce has thickened to a rich and glossy sauce that thinly coats the back of the spoon but not thick as a roux based sauce, about 5 minutes. Serve with white rice, rice and peas , and/or cooked cabbage.