This Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken comes together in about 45 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will absolutely love! Trust me, it’s comfort food at its best!
The Ingredients Breakdown
Here’s what you need to make this delicious Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken. Let’s break it down:
- 2 pounds chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on preferred for extra flavor and moisture; trust me, the skin helps so much)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or a pinch more if you’re feeling it)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (just a couple pinches to start)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (adds that umami flavor)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (for a hint of smokiness)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for that lovely browning action)
- 1 medium onion, sliced (adds sweetness as it caramelizes)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (and make it fresh, if you can)
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (whatever color you have)
- 1 carrot, sliced (adds color and sweetness)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish; because presentation matters)
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (whole) (if you like it spicy; feel free to remove it later if you prefer milder heat)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 ounces) (the base of your sauce)
- 1 cup chicken broth (homemade or store-bought; no judgments here)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (adds depth and a touch of saltiness)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (to balance the acidity from the tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (white or apple cider works here)
- 1 teaspoon allspice (this gives it that earthy, warm flavor)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional, but it really pops)
Feel free to swap ingredients! Don’t have a carrot? No problem! Use zucchini. No Scotch bonnet pepper? Try a jalapeño for heat, or leave it out altogether.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Here’s how to make this amazing Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken that’ll have your family begging for seconds (and maybe even thirds).
Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, season these chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme. Play around with the spices a bit! Let this marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, even overnight is great.
Sear the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Once it’s sizzling hot, add the chicken pieces. Brown them on all sides for about 5-7 minutes until they get that gorgeous golden-brown color. Remove the chicken pieces from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté the veggies: In the same skillet, add the sliced onion, minced garlic, sliced bell pepper, and carrot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the veggies are vibrant. The smell will have your mouth watering!
Return the chicken: Add the browned chicken back to the skillet along with the whole Scotch bonnet pepper (if using), diced tomatoes, chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and allspice. Stir to combine all the delicious flavors and scrape the yummy bits off the bottom of the skillet.
Simmer: Bring everything to a boil! Then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, and the flavors meld together beautifully.
Garnish and serve: If you want a milder dish, carefully remove the Scotch bonnet pepper before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color (and flavor, if you like). Serve this bad boy over rice, and just watch everyone dive in!

If you loved this quick and easy Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken, be sure to check out my Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, my Santa Fe Chicken, or my Green Sauce Chicken!
What Makes This Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken Special
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 45 minutes! Yes, you can get a homemade, delicious meal on the table fast, perfect for those busy weeknights!
One Pot
Everything is done in just one pot! That means minimal cleanup afterward, so you can spend more time enjoying dinner than washing dishes.
Budget-Friendly
This recipe uses affordable, everyday ingredients that you likely already have on hand. It’s super accessible, making it perfect for families watching their budget.
Comfort Food
Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken is loaded with tons of flavor and just. so. cozy. It’s the ultimate comfort food that wraps you in warmth and goodness!
Customizable
You can easily switch the ingredients or adjust the spice levels to suit your family’s taste. Feel free to get creative based on what you have in the fridge!

Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
Serve this fabulous Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken over a bed of fluffy jasmine or brown rice to soak up all that incredible sauce! You can also pair it with steamed veggies or fried plantains for a real treat.
How to Store
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply warm it up on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If it’s too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it up.
Freezer Friendly
Yes, this dish is freezer-friendly! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, and it will keep for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
So, there you go! Your family is going to love this comforting, vibrant, and flavorful Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken. Now, who’s hungry?
And remember, cooking should be fun! Don’t stress about making everything perfect, just enjoy the process and the delicious meal you create! Happy cooking! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
Print
Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A comforting one-pot Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken that comes together in under 45 minutes, packed with flavor and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on preferred)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 ounces)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them for about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and carrot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until onion is translucent.
- Add the chicken back to the skillet along with Scotch bonnet pepper, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and allspice. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 30-40 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Remove Scotch bonnet pepper if a milder dish is desired. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over rice.
Notes
Feel free to swap ingredients based on what you have in your fridge. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
