Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (2024)

This amazing Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken recipe is so flavorful and easy to make! Simple ingredients make for an awesome caribbean style dinner.

As a first generation American woman from a Jamaican family, I’ve been eating curry since I was a little girl. Now I’m sharing a fantastic curry chicken recipe for you today!

Jamaican Curry Chicken has always been a huge favorite of my family growing up. When my mom made it I could smell it from outside, and it always smelled so delicious! It’s not quite indian curry but still just as delicious. In general Jamaicans serve all curry (curry goat and curry chicken) with white rice.

Curry chicken is such a staple that we often have it on every party menu, it was on my wedding menu and most recently my 40th birthday party menu. The great part is you don’t need to have a party to have this amazing dish!

How Do You Make this amazing Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe?

Step One: Remove the skin (if there is any) from the chicken and cut it into small pieces. Wash the chicken in water with the juice from the lime/lemon and the vinegar. Drain away all the excess water from the chicken. Dry with kitchen towel if necessary. Step Two: In a kitchen bowl, add the chicken, onion, garlic, scotch bonnet pepper, pimento berries, ginger, salt, all-purpose seasoning, the curry powder. Step Three: mix everything together and leave to marinate for 30 minutes or more.Step Four: In a pot add the cooking oil and put to hot on medium heat.

Step Five: Add the seasoned chicken to the oil and stir well. Let the chicken cook until lightly brown on all sides. Don’t let the pot burn, add a tip of water if necessary.Step Six: Stir in the carrot, potato and thyme. Step Seven: Add water enough to cover the chicken in the pot. Step Eight: Cover and leave to cook for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked and the water is reduced to a curry gravy.

What is the best cut of chicken I use for curry?

You can use any type of chicken for this recipe including breast, skinless chicken thighs, or drumsticks. I like to use chicken thighs because they are more flavorful and tend to be juicier.

Where can you serve curry chicken?

Curry chicken is typically served with rice and peas, but it can also be enjoyed on its own or with other sides like plantains, boiled yams, or steamed vegetables.

How long does it take to cook?

This recipe takes about 45 minutes to cook from start to finish. Most of that time is hands-off while the chicken simmers in the curry sauce.

Simple ingredients you can get the next time you go to the grocery store! You won’t need any bell pepper, chicken broth, sweet potatoes, garlic powder or chicken stock for this recipe.

When it comes to Jamaican food, this will be one of your favorite curry recipes. This is the best curry chicken and it is generally serve with white rice. This curry dish is even better the next day.

Note that there are many different types of curry powders like thai curries, indian curry powder and other caribbean curry. The kind of curry powder you use is up to you there isn’t a major difference–the Jamaican curry spice mix is my favorite for this traditional Jamaican curry.

What are some great sides for this delicious curry chicken dish?

This dish is served with white rice, but Jamaican rice and peas is always an option. This can also be served in a roti or with a side of cabbage.

How long can chicken curry be kept refrigerated?

Cooked chicken curry can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Jamaican Curry Chicken FAQs

Q: Can I use a different type of pepper if Scotch bonnet is too spicy for me

A: Yes, you can use habanero peppers for a similar heat, or jalapenos for a milder option.

Q: What can I serve with Jamaican curry chicken?

A: Jamaican curry chicken is traditionally served with rice and peas, but you can also serve it with roti, naan, or steamed vegetables.

Q: Can I make this recipe with boneless chicken?

A: Yes, you can use boneless chicken pieces. However, using bone-in chicken imparts more flavor to the curry.

Q: What is the traditional Jamaican curry powder made of?

A: It usually contains turmeric, coriander, cumin, allspice, and fenugreek, and sometimes incorporates other spices.

Here are some Helpful tips for making the best Jamaican curry chicken

1. Start with a flavorful marinade:Marinating your chicken in a combination of spices and herbs, like ginger, garlic, allspice, thyme, scallions, and Scotch bonnet peppers can add an extra layer of flavor to your Jamaican curry chicken.

2. Don’t be afraid to use a lot of spices:Jamaican curry is known for its intense flavor, so don’t be afraid to go heavy on the spices.

3. Add some heat with Scotch bonnet peppers:Scotch bonnet peppers are a staple of Jamaican cuisine and add intense heat to your curry chicken. If you don’t want it too spicy, you can remove the seeds before adding them to the mixture.

4. Simmer for maximum flavor:Simmering your curry chicken allows all the seasonings and flavors to meld together and really penetrate the chicken. Simmering can take longer but it is worth the wait for a flavorful dish.

5. Serve with traditional sides:To get an authentic experience, serve your Jamaican curry chicken with steamed rice, plantains, or boiled dumplings for a complete meal.

See Also

Easy German Potato Soup Recipe – Oma's Kartoffelsuppe

Your taste buds will be so happy! Try with coconut rice for the best results. It will be one of those new recipes that you will come back and make a second time! One of the best things about this recipe is the bright yellow color of the chicken next to the stark white rice.

Before you go, check out these amazing Jamaican recipes!

Easy Jamaican Steamed Cabbage Recipe

Easy Jamaican Festival Sweet Dumplings Recipe

Easy Authentic Jamaican Stew Chicken

The Best Jamaican Jerk Sauce Recipe

Delicious Authentic Jamaican Rice and Peas Recipe

Yield: 6-8 Servings

Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

This authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken recipe is great for dinner or lunch! Made with super simple ingredients it's great with white rice.

Ingredients

• 2½ lbs Chicken
• 2 tbsp Curry powder
• 2 tbsp All-purpose or Chicken seasoning
• 1 ½ tsp Salt Or salt to your liking
• 5 Pimento berries (allspice)
• 3 Cloves garlic Crushed
• 1 Medium onion Chopped
• 3 Sprig of fresh thyme
• 2 Medium carrots Chopped
• 1 Small potato Diced
• 1 ½ tsp Freshly grated ginger
• 1 Small scotch bonnet pepper seeds removed and findly chopped
• 3 tbsp Cooking oil
• Boiling water

Instructions

1. Remove the skin (if there is any) from the chicken and cut it into small pieces. Wash the chicken in water with the juice from the lime/lemon and the vinegar. Drain away all the excess water from the chicken. Dry with kitchen towel if necessary.
2. In a kitchen bowl, add the chicken, onion, garlic, scotch bonnet pepper, pimento berries, ginger, salt, all-purpose seasoning, the curry powder and mix everything together and leave to marinate for 30 minutes or more.
3. In a pot add the cooking oil and put to hot on medium heat.
4. Add the seasoned chicken to the oil and stir well. Let the chicken cook until lightly brown on all sides. Don't let the pot burn, add a tip of water if necessary.
5. Stir in the carrot, potato and thyme. Add water enough to cover the chicken in the pot. Cover and leave to cook for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked and the water is reduced to a curry gravy.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1
Amount Per ServingCalories 542Total Fat 32gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 22gCholesterol 178mgSodium 830mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 4gSugar 4gProtein 47g

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