Bajan Stewed Chicken
A flavorful and comforting Barbadian dish featuring chicken pieces slow-cooked in a rich, savory gravy with aromatic spices and vegetables.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 lbs Chicken pieces(bone-in, skin-on (thighs and drumsticks recommended))
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 medium Bell pepper(chopped (any color))
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Thyme(dried or 1 tbsp fresh leaves)
- 1/2 tsp Allspice(ground)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 stalks Scallions(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown chicken pieces on all sides until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Add minced garlic and chopped bell pepper, cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- 6
Add chopped tomatoes, chicken broth, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and allspice. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
💡 Tip: Ensure all browned bits are incorporated for extra flavor. - 7
Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot. Ensure they are mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover and reduce heat to low.
💡 Tip: If the liquid doesn't cover most of the chicken, add a little more broth or water. - 8
Simmer gently for at least 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Stir occasionally.
💡 Tip: The sauce should thicken naturally. If it's too thin, remove the lid for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking. - 9
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
💡 Tip: A touch of sugar can balance the acidity of the tomatoes. - 10
Serve hot, garnished with chopped scallions.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in a mixture of salt, pepper, thyme, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- ✓Don't rush the simmering process; slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- ✓This dish is excellent served with rice, cou-cou (though you've excluded it from generation), or boiled/baked breadfruit.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a splash of white rum in the last 15 minutes of cooking for an extra layer of flavor.
- Include other vegetables like carrots or potatoes, adding them during the last 30-40 minutes of simmering.
- For a spicier kick, add a Scotch bonnet pepper (whole or finely chopped) during the simmering process.