Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe

Enjoy the rich, warming flavors of Jamaican Curry Chicken, a true Caribbean classic that brings the taste of Jamaica right to your kitchen. Known for its lively blend of spices, this curry is more than just a dish – it’s a comforting meal that captures the essence of Jamaican culture.

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What You’ll Find On This Page

• Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
• How to Make Jamaican Curry Chicken at Home?
• Jamaican Curry Chicken
• Recipe Video
• Chef's Notes and Tips
• Nutrition Info
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage Suggestions
• How to Make Jamaican Curry Powder at Home?

What sets Jamaican curry apart is its blend of spices like Jamaican curry powder, allspice, thyme, and turmeric, which give the dish its bright color and flavor. And of course, there’s the scotch bonnet pepper, adding just the right amount of heat to balance everything out. As the chicken simmers in this fragrant sauce, the flavors deepen, creating a hearty meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

To make it easy, I’ve included a recipe for homemade Jamaican curry powder, so you can skip the store-bought kind and make a fresh, flavorful blend right at home. It’s worth the extra step, and it’s a great way to taste the real essence of Jamaica.

Ingredients and Substitutions Overview

For this Jamaican Curry Chicken, you’ll need fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and fragrant herbs—mostly available at your local grocery store. Just keep in mind that scotch bonnet peppers might require a visit to a specialty shop. Let’s take a look at the key ingredients that make this dish so flavorful.

Fresh Ingredients

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• Chicken: I suggest using a mix of bone-in and boneless pieces, like thighs and drumsticks, for this curry. Bone-in pieces give the sauce a richer flavor as they cook, making the curry taste better.
• Onions: Finely chopped onions are key for this curry that add a natural sweetness, creating a base that enhances other flavors. For a milder taste, you can use sweet onions instead of yellow ones.
• Bell Peppers: Red and green bell peppers bring color, a mild sweetness, and a bit of crunch to the curry. For an even more colorful dish, you can add yellow or orange peppers too. They add visual appeal and a mild sweetness that works well with the spices.
• Potatoes & Carrots: Chunky pieces of potatoes and carrots are perfect here. For best results, cut them into uniform pieces so they cook evenly and hold up well in the sauce.
• Herbs: I like to add freshly chopped scallions and a few sprigs of thyme for a fresh, aromatic touch. The scallions bring a mild oniony flavor, and the thyme adds a gentle earthiness. Just remember to remove the thyme sprigs before serving to keep the texture smooth.

Spices and Other Add-Ins

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• Jamaican Curry Powder: This spice mix is essential for that bold, signature flavor in Jamaican curry. If you don’t have it, regular curry powder works too. I’ve also included a simple guide to make your own if you want to try an authentic blend.
• Chicken Seasoning: This blend of spices gives the chicken extra flavor, bringing everything together nicely.
• Allspice Berry: It adds a warm, slightly sweet note that gives the dish a cozy feel.
• Turmeric Powder: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric adds a vibrant color and a mild earthy taste that boosts both the look and flavor of the curry.
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper: This one’s the special ingredient that gives the curry its unique kick. It is usually not available in all stores. I had a hard time locating it around where I live in the US, but I usually spot it at Whole Foods. You can easily adjust the spice level by using less or removing the seeds. And if Scotch bonnet isn’t available, habanero or jalapeño peppers are great alternatives.
• Ginger and Garlic: These ingredients are used in both the marinade and the curry, adding depth and a wonderful aroma while mellowing the raw chicken smell. You can also use fresh ginger-garlic paste if that’s easier for you.
• Coconut Milk: This isn’t traditional in Jamaican curry, but it gives the dish a creamy texture and a hint of coconut flavor, similar to coconut chicken curry. If you prefer, you can swap it for chicken broth or water. Just keep in mind to adjust the salt if you’re using broth, as it might already be seasoned.
• Cooking Oil: Consider using a neutral oil, like vegetable or canola oil, for sautéing. Coconut oil can also add a subtle coconut flavor that complements the dish.

How to Make Jamaican Curry Chicken at Home?

Let’s make this Jamaican Curry Chicken together! It’s a simple two-step process: first, we’ll marinate the chicken, and then we’ll make the curry. I’ve included images and a video for visual guidance, so you’re all set. Let’s get started!

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Enjoy a World of Curry Recipes:

• Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
• Japanese Curry
• Chicken Curry
• Coconut Chicken Curry
• Chicken Korma
• Butter Chicken
• Chicken Tikka Masala
• Chicken Vindaloo
• Chicken Karahi
• Thai Yellow Curry
• Thai Green Curry
• Panang Curry

Serving Suggestions

Jamaican Curry Chicken, with its aromatic and rich flavors, pairs wonderfully with various side dishes. Here are some of my favorites that I think you’ll enjoy too:

• Rice and Peas: A Jamaican staple, this combination of rice and kidney beans cooked in coconut milk complements the curry's richness perfectly.
• Rice Dishes: White, basmati, jasmine, or brown rice are all great choices to balance the bold flavors of the curry.
• Roti: This soft Caribbean and Indian flatbread is perfect for scooping up the rich, flavorful curry sauce.
• Festival: These sweet, fried cornbread fritters provide a delightful contrast to the spicy curry and are popular at Jamaican festivals.
• Plantains: Fried or sautéed sweet plantains add a sweet and savory touch, making them a great match for the curry's spiciness.
• Coleslaw: A tangy, refreshing coleslaw lightens the richness of the curry and adds a nice crunch.
• Sautéed Vegetables: A mix of sautéed veggies like carrots, broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, and green beans brings freshness and color to the meal.
• Cucumber Salad: A cooling cucumber salad with onions, tomatoes, and a tangy dressing offers a soothing contrast to the spicy curry.
• Jamaican Hard Dough Bread: Dense and slightly sweet, this bread is ideal for mopping up the delicious curry sauce.
• Iced Tea & Lassi: Offer guests a choice of refreshing iced tea or a creamy yogurt-based lassi. Iced tea cools the palate, while a mango lassi adds a rich, soothing complement to the spicy curry.

Storage Suggestions

To keep the rich flavors of your Jamaican Curry Chicken, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for about 3-4 days. When it’s time to enjoy it again, reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave works best for a warm, flavorful meal. Just make sure to heat it thoroughly before serving!

How to Make Jamaican Curry Powder at Home?

If you can’t find Jamaican curry powder at the store or want to make your own, you’re in for a treat! Creating your own Jamaican curry powder is a rewarding process, and with this recipe, you'll yield about 7-8 tablespoons of a vibrant and bold spice blend. Feel free to adjust the quantities of the ingredients to make a larger batch for longer use. Here’s how to do it:

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

• Toast the Whole Spices: Start 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 become fragrant. This step helps activate the natural oils in the spices, boosting their flavors.
• Cool the Spices: Once toasted, remove the spices from heat and let them cool to room temperature.
• Grind the Spices: Transfer the cooled whole spices to a blender or spice grinder. Grind them into a fine powder.
• Mix the Spices: Combine the freshly ground spices with turmeric powder, ginger powder, ground nutmeg, and ground Scotch bonnet pepper. Blend well to create a uniform mixture.
• Store the Powder: Store your homemade Jamaican curry powder in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry place to maintain its potency and flavor.

Now your homemade Jamaican curry powder is ready to add a distinct, rich, and flavorful touch to any recipe! For future use, make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh and potent.