Description
A slow cooker adaptation of traditional Jamaican brown stew chicken that delivers deep, complex flavors with minimal effort. The chicken becomes tender and falls off the bone while the sauce thickens into a rich, glossy gravy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 to 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper, pierced with holes
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Browning sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon allspice (pimento)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 stalks green onion, chopped
Instructions
- Rinse chicken thighs and pat dry. Toss with half the salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until soft and translucent (3-4 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Transfer sautéed onions and garlic to a 4-to-6-quart slow cooker. Add chicken stock, tomato paste, browning sauce, and remaining spices. Stir to combine.
- Place seasoned chicken thighs into the slow cooker, nestling them into the sauce. Add the pierced whole Scotch bonnet pepper and fresh thyme sprigs.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until chicken is fork-tender and reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove chicken from slow cooker. If sauce is thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into the sauce. Cook on high for 15 minutes to thicken.
- Return chicken to pot to warm through. Remove thyme sprigs and Scotch bonnet pepper. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve.
Notes
Do not skip sautéing the aromatics to avoid raw onion taste. Be careful with browning sauce as it is potent; start with a tablespoon. If using bone-in chicken, check tenderness after 6 hours. Let the stew rest for 10 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to settle. For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu or seitan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Chicken thigh with s
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Jamaican brown stew chicken, slow cooker chicken, Caribbean recipes, slow cooker meals, authentic Jamaican food, meal prep chicken