Jamaican Curried Chicken and Potato
A flavorful and hearty curry dish featuring tender chicken pieces and soft potatoes simmered in a rich, aromatic Jamaican curry sauce with coconut milk and spices.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into serving pieces)
- 750 g Potatoes(peeled and cut into 1.5-inch chunks)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(freshly grated)
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(finely chopped, seeds removed for less heat)
- 3 tablespoons Curry powder(Jamaican curry powder blend)
- 1 teaspoon Allspice berries(crushed)
- 2 sprigs Thyme(fresh)
- 400 ml Coconut milk(full-fat)
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 120 ml Water(or as needed)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper.
💡 Tip: Allow chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes. - 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
⏱️ 8-10 minutes - 3
Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped scotch bonnet pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Add the curry powder and crushed allspice berries. Stir well and cook for another minute, toasting the spices.
⏱️ 1 minute - 6
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Add the potato chunks, thyme sprigs, coconut milk, and water. Stir to combine.
💡 Tip: Ensure chicken and potatoes are mostly submerged. - 7
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender.
⏱️ 30-40 minutes💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 8
Remove thyme sprigs. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. The sauce should be thick and rich.
💡 Tip: If the sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for maximum flavor.
- ✓Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to your spice preference.
- ✓Jamaican curry powder has a distinct flavor profile; use a good quality brand if possible.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers.
- For a spicier dish, leave some seeds in the scotch bonnet pepper.