Indulge in the vibrant tastes of the Caribbean with Jamaican Curry Chicken, a dish that truly embodies the lively essence of Jamaica. This recipe brings together a robust mix of bold spices and hearty flavors. The warmth of traditional spices combines perfectly with the heat from scotch bonnet peppers, offering a rich and flavorful experience.
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This curry is more than just a dish; it's a homage to Jamaican culture, fitting for any event, from a casual family dinner to a lively party. Get ready to be taken on a journey to the energetic streets of Jamaica with every enjoyable bite of this delightful curry.
For added convenience, I've included a homemade Jamaican curry powder recipe, making it easy to bring authentic flavors to your kitchen.
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
For this Jamaican Curry Chicken, you'll need fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and fragrant herbs, mostly found at your local grocery store. Note that scotch bonnet peppers might require a visit to specialty shops. Let's take a look at the key ingredients that make this dish so flavorful.
Fresh Produces:
- Chicken: Select a variety of bone-in chicken pieces, such as thighs and drumsticks, for a richer and more robust flavor compared to boneless cuts.
- Onions: Incorporate finely chopped onions to infuse the curry with a deep, savory flavor, essential for building a solid flavor base.
- Bell Peppers: Add a mix of diced red and green bell peppers for visual appeal and a subtle sweetness. You can also experiment with yellow or orange peppers for added color variety.
- Potatoes & Carrots: Chunky cuts of potatoes and carrots are ideal as they absorb the rich curry spices, contributing to the overall heartiness and texture of the dish.
- Herbs: Blend in finely chopped scallions and a few sprigs of fresh thyme. These herbs introduce a refreshing, aromatic quality that perfectly balances the hearty elements of the curry.
Spices and Other Add-Ins:
- Jamaican Curry Powder: This key spice mix gives the curry its distinctive, robust flavor. If it's not available, regular curry powder is a fine substitute. For convenience, I've also included a guide to make your own Jamaican Curry Powder.
- Chicken Seasoning: A blend of spices that harmoniously enhances the overall flavor profile of the chicken.
- Allspice Berry: Adds warm, slightly sweet undertones, imparting a comforting essence to the dish.
- Turmeric Powder: Contributes not just a vibrant color but also an earthy note that enriches the curry's taste.
- Scotch Bonnet Pepper: Offers a fiery kick. Adjust the amount to your heat preference, and remove seeds for less spice. Habanero or jalapeño peppers are good alternatives if Scotch Bonnet is unavailable.
- Ginger and Garlic: Crushed for marination and chopped for the curry, these aromatic ingredients add depth and complexity. Ginger garlic paste can be used as a convenient alternative.
- Coconut Milk: While not traditional in Jamaican curry, it adds a creamy texture and a subtle coconut flavor. Chicken broth or water are suitable alternatives, but adjust the salt content accordingly, especially if using broth as it may have added salt.
How to Make Jamaican Curry Chicken at Home?
Dive into the flavors of Jamaica with our easy-to-follow Jamaican Curry Chicken recipe, complete with step-by-step photos and video. Let's get started!
Discover a World of Delightful Curries:
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- Thai Yellow Curry
- Thai Green Curry
- Panang Curry
Jamaican Curry Chicken
Ingredients
For Marination
- 2 lb Chicken, mixed bone-in pieces
- 1 tbsp Chicken Seasoning
- 1½ tbsp Jamaican Curry Powder, or regular curry powder
- ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
- 2 tbsp Ginger Garlic, crushed, made of ¾ inch ginger and 4 cloves of garlic
- 6 Allspice Berry
- Salt, to taste
- 3 tbsp Spring Onion, chopped
- 2 sprig Thyme
- 1 sprig Rosemary
- ½ tsp Black Pepper, powder
Other Ingredients
- ¼ cup Onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup Red Bell Pepper, chopped
- ¼ cup Green Bell Pepper
- 1 tbsp Jamaican Curry Powder
- 1 inch Ginger, sliced
- 4 cloves Garlic, chopped
- 2 Scotch Bonnet Pepper, reduce the quantity and remove seeds for milder heat
- 2 Potato, bite-size gold, honey gold, or Yukon gold potato chopped
- 1 Carrot, medium size, chopped
- 1 sprig Thyme
- 1 cup Coconut Milk, optional, to balance heat and creamy texture
- 3 tbsp Spring Onion, chopped
- 1 tsp Salt, or adjust to taste
- 3 tbsp Oil
Instructions
To Make Jamaican Chicken Curry
- In a bowl, mix chicken pieces with crushed ginger, garlic, curry powder, chicken seasoning, turmeric, allspice berries, spring onions, thyme, rosemary, black pepper, and salt. Ensure everything is well coated. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté onions and bell peppers until they soften and slightly brown, creating a sweet and savory foundation for the curry.
- Add 1 tablespoon of Jamaican curry powder to the pan. Stir and cook until it becomes fragrant, enhancing the curry's aroma.
- Place the marinated chicken in the pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes without stirring, allowing it to develop a flavorful crust.
- Incorporate sliced ginger, chopped garlic, and scotch bonnet pepper into the pan. Cover and cook until the chicken begins to release its juices.
- Once the chicken juices are released, add potatoes and carrots, and a bit more salt if needed. Mix well, ensuring the vegetables absorb the curry flavors.
- Add coconut milk and extra thyme to the curry. Stir well for an even, creamy texture. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the flavors are well-integrated.
- Open the lid, stir in fresh spring onions for a burst of freshness, and then take the pan off the heat. Your Jamaican Chicken Curry is ready to be served and savored!
To Serve
- Enjoy your Jamaican Chicken Curry alongside versatile options such as white rice, fragrant basmati rice, traditional rice and peas, or soft roti for a complete and delightful meal experience. For more pairing ideas, refer to the serving suggestions section.
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Marination: Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes. This crucial step ensures the spices penetrate the meat, enhancing its flavor and tenderness.
- Curry Powder Blooming: Gently sauté the curry powder until it becomes fragrant. This method is key to unlocking the full range of flavors from the spices without burning them, which could otherwise alter the overall taste of the dish.
- Aromatic Additions: Tailor the amount of ginger, garlic, and scotch bonnet pepper to your taste. Be mindful with scotch bonnet pepper; it's quite spicy, so adjust according to your heat preference.
- Trapping Moisture: When cooking the chicken, keep the pan covered. This method traps steam and moisture, resulting in the chicken releasing its natural juices, which adds depth and richness to the curry's flavor.
- Simmering: Allow the curry to simmer gently, covered, for 20-25 minutes. This slow cooking process ensures the chicken cooks thoroughly and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the curry and adjust the seasoning, such as salt, to ensure a final balanced flavor.
- Jamaican Curry Powder: Incorporate Jamaican curry powder for an authentic flavor profile. If unavailable, regular curry powder is a suitable substitute. Alternatively, you can create your own blend using the recipe provided in the preparation section below.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
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Serving Suggestions
Jamaican Curry Chicken, with its aromatic and rich flavors, can be perfectly complemented by a variety of side dishes:
- Rice and Peas: A Jamaican staple, this combination of rice and kidney beans cooked in coconut milk harmonizes beautifully with the curry's richness.
- Rice Dishes: Opt for white, basmati, jasmine, or brown rice to balance the bold flavors of the curry.
- Festival: Sweet, fried cornbread fritters offer a delightful contrast to the spicy curry, popular in Jamaican festivals.
- Plantains: Fried or sautéed sweet plantains add a sweet and savory element, complementing the curry's spiciness.
- Coleslaw: A tangy, refreshing coleslaw can lighten the richness of the curry.
- Sauteed Vegetables: A mix of sautéed veggies like carrots, broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, and green beans adds freshness and color.
- Cucumber Salad: A cooling cucumber salad with onions, tomatoes, and a tangy dressing offers a soothing contrast to the spicy curry.
- Roti: A soft Caribbean and Indian flatbread, roti is ideal for scooping up the rich and flavorful curry sauce.
- Jamaican Hard Dough Bread: Dense and slightly sweet, this bread is ideal for mopping up the delicious curry sauce.
- Iced Tea & Lassi: Offer guests the choice of a refreshing iced tea or a creamy yogurt-based lassi. While the iced tea provides a soothing, cool contrast, the lassi, especially in flavors like mango lassi, offers a rich and cooling complement to the spicy curry.
Storage Suggestions
To preserve the rich flavors of your Jamaican Curry Chicken, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will remain fresh and tasty for up to 3-4 days. For reheating, using a stovetop or microwave is recommended to enjoy a warm and flavorful meal. Remember to heat it thoroughly before serving.
How to Make Jamaican Curry Powder at Home?
Creating your own Jamaican curry powder is indeed a rewarding process, and with the provided recipe, you'll yield about 7-8 tablespoons of this vibrant and bold spice blend. Here’s your guide to making it at home:
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp Turmeric Powder
- 2 tbsp Coriander Seeds
- 1 tbsp Cumin Seeds
- 1 ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- 1 tbsp Allspice Berries
- 2 tbsp Yellow Mustard Seeds
- 1 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
- 1 Clove
- 1 tsp Black Peppercorns
- ¼ tsp Ground Nutmeg
- ½ tsp Ground Scotch Bonnet Pepper (adjust for heat)
Instructions:
- Toasting Whole Spices: Begin by toasting the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, allspice berries, yellow mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, clove, and black peppercorns in a medium pan. Heat them gently, stirring frequently, until they release their aromas. This step is crucial for activating the natural oils in the spices, enhancing their flavors.
- Cooling: After toasting, remove the spices from heat and let them cool to room temperature.
- Grinding: Transfer the cooled whole spices to a blender or spice grinder. Grind them into a fine powder.
- Mixing: Combine the freshly ground spice mix with turmeric powder, ginger powder, ground nutmeg, and ground Scotch Bonnet pepper. Blend them well for a uniform mixture.
- Storing: Store your homemade Jamaican curry powder in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry place to maintain its potency and flavor.
Your homemade Jamaican curry powder is now perfectly prepared to add a distinct, rich, and flavorful touch to any recipe that calls for this unique spice blend. For future use, ensure to store any leftover powder in an airtight container to maintain the freshness and potency.
Kameka
Typically coconut milk does not go in curry chicken.
Sangeetha Vel
Kameka, We understand your perspective. However, this variation is definitely worth a taste. Coconut and coconut milk are widely used in Thai and Indian cuisine with chicken curry, offering a unique flavor profile. We applied a similar approach to our curry chicken as well, and the results were delicious. Of course, feel free to skip it if it doesn't align with your preferences.