If you've had the chance to taste the exquisite Jamaican Curry Chicken, you are probably wondering how to make it at home. Although the recipe calls for the use of many ingredients, the preparation is quite fast. Furthermore, it is not necessary to intervene too much during cooking: just let it simmer and stir it from time to time. The final result? A sophisticated curry to lick your mustache!
Ingrediants
For the Jamaican Chicken Curry
- 2 kg of skinless chicken cut into small pieces
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 6 tablespoons of separate curry powder
- 4 cloves of minced garlic
- ¼ of a finely chopped small red pepper
- ¼ of a finely chopped small green pepper
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or 1 sprig of fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon of ketchup
- 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (optional)
- 3 cups (750 ml) of boiling water
- 2 medium potatoes, each cut into 6 parts
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Making Jamaican Chicken Curry
Step 1. Prepare 2 kg of skinless chicken and carefully cut it into small pieces, preferably into chunks
For example, a thigh can be cut in half, while the breast into 3 or 4 portions, depending on the size of the chicken.
Boneless chicken is easier to cut, while boneless chicken has a more intense flavor
Step 2. Season the chicken
Place the morsels in a large bowl. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper, 3 tablespoons of curry powder and 4 cloves of minced garlic. Stir with your hands or a spoon to completely coat the chicken with the dressing. Put it in the fridge for an hour.
- Garlic can be minced with a sharp knife or press.
- You can use any curry powder of your choice, although Jamaican curry is particularly good for this recipe.
Step 3. Chop and brown the vegetables
Finely chop ¼ small red pepper, ¼ small green pepper and 1 large onion. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Skip 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds for 30 seconds, then cook the chopped vegetables.
Step 4. Season the vegetables
Continue to sauté over medium-high heat and add 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or 1 sprig of fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon of salt, 3 tablespoons of curry powder, 1 tablespoon of ketchup and 1 tablespoon of hot pepper sauce. Skip the vegetables until softened - this will take about 6 to 8 minutes.
If you prefer to avoid the dish being too spicy, you can exclude the chili sauce
Step 5. Add the boiling water and chicken
Measure 1 cup (250 ml) of boiling water and pour it over the browned vegetables. The water should come to a boil immediately. Remove the chicken from the fridge, incorporate it and stir. Add the remaining boiling water (2 cups or 500ml) and wait for it to boil again.
The sauce should coat and almost entirely cover the chicken to keep it moist as it cooks
Step 6. Turn the heat to medium and add 2 medium sized potatoes, each cut into 6 pieces
Cover the pot and let the Jamaican Curry Chicken simmer for about 30 minutes. When the preparation is complete, the chicken will have become tender, while the sauce will have thickened.
The curry should gurgle slightly as it cooks. Avoid boiling it, or the chicken will cook too quickly and become tough
Part 2 of 2: Try Variations and Serve the Jamaican Chicken Curry
Step 1. Make Jamaican Curry Chicken using a slow cooker
To start, season the chicken and vegetables, then brown them. However, instead of simmering them on the stove, use a slow cooker. Put the lid on and set it to low. Cook for 45 to 60 minutes.
If you prefer the vegetables to have a firmer texture, do not brown them when making the curry. Put them directly into the slow cooker
Step 2. Add some coconut milk
If you find Jamaican chicken curry too spicy for your taste, try adding ½ cup of coconut milk (shake before pouring). Taste the curry and, if you prefer it creamier and less spicy, add more.
You can use whole or skimmed coconut milk (which is slightly more diluted)
Step 3. Serve the curry with steamed white rice or a traditional Jamaican rice and bean dish made with rice, coconut milk, red beans, and various toppings
You can use canned red beans for this dish. Alternatively, leave some dried beans to soak overnight
Step 4. Make a full Jamaican curry chicken meal by serving it with a green salad and bread like roti
You can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes.
