Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (2024)

This Jamaican curry chicken recipe is the ultimate Caribbean comfort food of chicken seasoned with Jamaican curry powder and simmered in creamy curry sauce. It's so easy to make!

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (1)

We're cooking up a wonderfully comforting and spicy curry dish in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen, my friends. Care to join me?

Curry is an ideal dish for any spicy food lover. Curries usually incorporate an intriguing mix of locally found ingredients that blend to a flavor powerhouse.

Chili peppers are often highlighted, with varying heat and spice levels, forming a base for a variety of curry pastes and curry seasoning blends.

This particular recipe is no different, though today we're moving away from Thai and Indian cuisine where curries are more common and into the Caribbean region of the world.

We're talking Jamaican Curry Chicken, my friends! Did you realize the Caribbeans enjoy curry?

You'll find curries in many parts of the world. Jamaican curry flavor profile is different from Indian curries in the overall choice of seasonings.

You'll find a heavier use of turmeric and other seasonings that form an addictive flavor base, so addictive that I think this just might become one of your favorite new recipes.

Curry Recipes Vary from Cook to Cook.You'll find variations of Jamaican curries from restaurant to restaurant and from cook to cook, speaking with great passion about whether or not to include certain seasonings, tomato or no tomato, coconut milk or not.

At the end of the day, this is your dish, so you can adjust it to the way you prefer. I've included some options in the ingredients, though this is the way I like it.

I'm very curious how you will make yours!

Jamaican-style curry chicken very easy to make, and also huge on flavor.

Let's talk about how to make Jamaican Curry Chicken, shall we?

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (2)

Jamaican Curry Chicken Ingredients

  • Chicken. I usually use either a whole chicken, cut up, or leg and thigh quarters, though you can easily make this with boneless chicken. It's great with chicken thighs.
  • Jamaican Curry Powder. Try my homemade Jamaican curry powder recipe for outstanding flavor, or use your favorite store bought blend. I use 4 tablespoons of curry powder, though use it to taste.
  • Additional Seasonings. Allspice, adobo seasoning, turmeric, thyme, and salt and black pepper. You can use your favorite Jamaican staples. General chicken seasoning is popular.
  • Vegetables. Onion, bell peppers or jalapeno peppers and/or Scotch bonnet peppers, carrot, garlic, ginger, green onion, potatoes.
  • Liquids. Coconut milk or chicken broth (chicken stock) - your choice.
  • Extras. Olive oil for cooking, and your favorite hot sauce to taste.

How to Make Jamaican Curry Chicken - the Recipe Method

Wash the Chicken. Wash the chicken with vinegar or citrus, if desired.

Cut and Season the Chicken. Cut up the chicken into smaller pieces and add to a large bowl.

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (3)

Season the Chicken. Rub the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons Jamaican curry powder, adobo seasoning, allspice, dried thyme, turmeric, and salt and pepper to taste.

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (4)

Cook the Vegetables. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat or medium-high heat. Add the onion and peppers, and cook them down 5 minutes to soften.

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (5)

"Burn the Curry". Add the garlic, ginger, and 2 tablespoons Jamaican curry powder. Cook for 2 minutes in the oil to let the seasoning bloom.

This is called "Burning the Curry", which isn't actually burning it, but cooking out the raw seasoning flavor.

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (6)

Brown the Chicken. Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes to brown all sides, flipping half way through.

NOTE that the chicken may release liquid, which you can keep in the pan for simmering, though you may want to adjust how much liquid you add later.

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (7)

Liquids and Potatoes. Stir in the coconut milk or chicken broth, potatoes, and carrots. Taste and adjust with salt, pepper and hot sauce to your personal tastes.

Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme here if you'd like.

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (8)

Cover and Simmer. Cover the curry and reduce the heat. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are done and the chicken is tender and cooked through.

It should measure 165 degrees F internal when measured with a meat thermometer.

Serve! I like to garnish mine with fresh chopped parsley and red pepper flakes.

Boom! Done! Jamaican curry chicken is ready to serve! Looks wonderful, doesn't it? I'm sure your kitchen smells awesome.

It usually drives me crazy as it simmers, making me wait for it.

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (9)

I love this curry dish. Nice and spicy to my preference.

Recipe Tips & Notes

  • The Chicken. You can easily make this recipe with any cut of chicken, either bone-in or boneless skinless chicken. Today I used chicken leg and thigh quarters, but it’s great with a whole chicken for a larger group, chicken breasts, chicken thighs or any combination. Many Jamaican Curry Chicken dishes I've seen cut up the chicken into smaller pieces, bones and all, though I love the larger pieces. To your preference!
  • The Peppers. I use jalapeno peppers for this recipe for a touch of everyday heat, but they aren't very spicy for some people. If you're looking for more authentic Caribbean flavor with some wonderful heat, use either Scotch Bonnet peppers or habanero peppers. Both can reach to over 350,000 Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale, making them 70 times hotter than the average jalapeno. Perfect! Use them sparingly. Use bell peppers for a milder version. You'll still get amazing flavor.
  • Seasoning. There are many variations of seasonings for Jamaican curries. I use Jamaican curry powder with adobo seasoning, turmeric, allspice and thyme. Other popular options are sazon seasoning, general chicken seasoning, garlic powder, fresh herbs and others. Some recipes call for Jamaican "every day" or "all-purpose" seasoning. Great if you have access to it!
  • Variations. You can update this recipe to include any and all of your favorite ingredients. Consider the following:
    • Other Meats. Try this recipe with lamb, pork, beef, fish, shellfish. So good!
    • Go Vegetarian. Make this a vegetarian dish and focus on chickpeas and more potatoes, or use jackfruit.
    • Other Vegetables. I make mine with potato, but you can easily include other root vegetables like sweet potato, rutabaga or celery root. Toss in green beans, corn or more peppers to round it out. You can really make this recipe your own.
  • Serving. I alternate serving my Jamaican chicken curry with either steamed white rice or noodles. Rice will absorb all that wonderful curry sauce. Brown rice is good, too. For the noodles, I love either wheat noodles or rice noodles.

Storage Information & Leftovers

Store any leftover Jamaican curry chicken in the refrigerator in sealed containers for up to 5 days. To enjoy again, gently reheat it in a pan. You can freeze the curry for up to 6 months in vacuum sealed containers.

That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this outstanding Jamaican chicken curry recipe. Super tasty! Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!

Cookbook Recommendation

If you'd like to learn more about Jamaican cooking, check out the following cookbook, which I used to help adapt this recipe.

  • Original Flava, by Craig and Shaun McAnuff (affiliate link, my friends!)

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

  • Red Curry
  • Coconut Curry Chicken
  • Phaal Curry (the Hottest Curry in the World)
  • Red Curry Paste
  • Yellow Curry Paste
  • Japanese Curry
  • See all of my Curry Recipes

Other Jamaican Recipes You Might Enjoy

  • Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
  • Jerk Marinade
  • Jamaican Jerk Chicken
  • Jerk Salmon
  • Sazon Seasoning
  • Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
  • Rasta Pasta
  • Jamaican Rice and Peas
Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (10)

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (11)

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Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe

This Jamaican curry chicken recipe is the ultimate Caribbean comfort food of chicken seasoned with Jamaican curry powder and simmered in creamy curry sauce.

Save Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican

Keyword: chicken, curry, one pot, spicy

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Calories: 370kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings: 8

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4.98 from 72 votes

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Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN

  • 3 pounds chicken washed with vinegar and cut into bite-sized pieces (I used leg and thigh quarters today)
  • 2 tablespoons Jamaican curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

FOR THE CURRY

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 large bell pepper chopped
  • 1 Scotch Bonnet pepper chopped (optional, for a spicy version)
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped ginger
  • 2 tablespoons Jamaican curry powder
  • 1 cup coconut milk (optional - use only chicken broth as an alternative, or water)
  • 1 pound yellow potatoes diced (peel if desired)
  • 1 large carrot peeled and chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Hot sauce to taste

Instructions

  • Cut up the chicken and add it to a mixing bowl. Rub the chicken pieces with curry powder, adobo seasonings, allspice, dried thyme, and salt and pepper to taste.

  • Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and peppers to the pot and stir. Cook for 5 minutes to soften.

  • Add the green onion, garlic, ginger and 2 tablespoons Jamaican curry powder. Cook 2-3 minutes, to let the curry powder bloom. This is called "burning the curry", which is not actually burning it.

  • Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes to brown all sides, flipping half way through.

  • Stir in the coconut milk or chicken broth, potatoes and carrots. Taste and adjust with salt, pepper and hot sauce to your personal tastes. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme here if you'd like.

  • Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and cooked through. It should measure 165 degrees F internal when measured with a meat thermometer.

  • Serve! I like to garnish mine with fresh chopped parsley and red pepper flakes.

Notes

The Chicken. You can easily make this recipe with any cut of chicken, either bone-in or boneless. Today I used chicken leg and thigh quarters, but it’s great with a whole chicken for a larger group, chicken breasts, chicken thighs or any combination.

The Seasonings. There are many variations of seasonings for Jamaican curries. I use Jamaican curry powder with adobo seasoning, allspice and thyme. Other popular options are sazon seasoning, general chicken seasoning, fresh herbs and others. Some recipes call for Jamaican "every day" or "all-purpose" seasoning. Great if you have access to it!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 23gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 96mgPotassium: 467mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2386IUVitamin C: 33mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (12)

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 9/7/22 to include new photos and information. It was originally published on 1/20/21.

Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes Jamaican curry different? ›

But perhaps the biggest thing that makes Jamaican curry powder stand out from other curry powders is the use of allspice, which is known for its multidimensional flavor and adds its own, herbaceous and warm twist to the mix. Like many other spice blends, the recipe can vary.

What is Jamaican curry chicken made of? ›

With a fragrant blend of spices and tender chicken simmered in a sauce of hot peppers, chicken stock, garlic, and creamy coconut milk, this dish is sure to transport your taste buds to the sunny shores of Jamaica. A real nostalgic comfort food dish for many Jamaicans.

What is the difference between Indian curry and Jamaican curry chicken? ›

The greatest difference between the two spice mixes comes into play when examining heat levels. Indian curry powders tend to have more chile powder in them while Jamaican curry powder. Some commercial versions may have a bit of cayenne pepper in them, but most recipes usually omit that spice.

What is the difference between curry chicken and curried chicken? ›

Whether you call it "chicken curry" or "curry chicken" often depends on regional and cultural differences. Both terms refer to the same dish, which typically consists of chicken cooked in a sauce made with various spices and seasonings.

Is there a difference between Indian curry and Jamaican curry? ›

A major difference between Jamaican and Indian curries is that Indian dishes use more chilli powder than fresh peppers. This gives Indian dishes a distinctive red colour and kick. Like Jamaican cuisine, Indian dishes are also usually marinated with a mix of Indian spices before cooking.

Which is hotter jerk or curry chicken? ›

At 3 Dives specifically, curry is not particularly spicy (but it's very good!), and neither is the jerk chicken. The spicy for the jerk there comes with the granny sauce which is offered in bottles on the side.

Why is Jamaican chicken so good? ›

The seasoning: Jerk chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices that includes allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. This combination of spices gives the dish its distinctive flavor and aroma. The heat: Jerk chicken is known for its spicy kick, which comes from the use of scotch bonnet peppers in the marinade.

What is Jamaican curry sauce made of? ›

Traditional Jamaican curry is made with scotch bonnet peppers and Jamaican curry powder. It's a bold, flavorful dish that's cooked slowly over low heat, allowing time for the spices to develop. It contains pieces of juicy chicken (usually thighs), along with carrots and potatoes.

What can I use instead of Jamaican curry powder? ›

You can sometimes substitute Indian Curry for Jamaican curry as long as you are mindful that Indian curry can be hotter, so you may need to use less. You may need to add some Jamaican spices and flavors like allspice and thyme to give it that extra required flavor.

What is the nicest curry from an Indian? ›

Here are the top 10 most popular Indian curries that you should definitely give a try!
  1. Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani): ...
  2. Chicken Tikka Masala: ...
  3. Paneer Tikka Masala (Makhani): ...
  4. Rogan Josh: ...
  5. Chana Masala: ...
  6. Saag (Palak) Paneer: ...
  7. Dal Makhani: ...
  8. Kadai Chicken:
Aug 27, 2023

Is chicken breast or thigh better for curry? ›

You want to extract the all flavours from the chicken, to give the curry more depth. But between breasts and thighs, I'll go for thighs - bone in. The meat is more tender, there's plenty of fat and the bones give more depth.

What are the three types of curry? ›

From phal curry based in the UK to madras curry originating from Madras, there are many curry dishes throughout the world with a history as flavorful as the meal itself. Though there are many dishes, curry itself can typically be broken down into three types: red, green, and yellow.

Do you cook chicken before adding to curry? ›

You should have a rich, flavoursome sauce, add your RAW chicken into the sauce, keep the heat medium high and seal the chicken in the sauce, stir constantly and create the deep flavour in the chicken.

Do Guyanese people say curry chicken or chicken curry? ›

Even radio broadcasters in Guyana and the region, from time to time, would chit-chat on same. Anyhow, the reality is that in their present forms, only one is correct and that is chicken curry. It can also be used in the reverse form; however, it would have to be stated as curried chicken.

Is chicken curry healthy or unhealthy? ›

Made up of meat and vegetables in a spiced sauce, usually accompanied by rice, curry can potentially claim 'good for you' status. The vegetables contain lots of minerals and nutrients, and turmeric – the main spice in most curry powders – has anti-inflammatory effects.

What is the difference between Jamaican and Indian goat curry? ›

Jamaican curry goat uses curry powder with well-balanced ingredients compared to Indian curry, where the spices are usually added one at a time while cooking. The latter curry recipes risk some spices having a bigger kick than others, which can be affect the quality of the taste.

Why is Jamaican food so similar to Indian? ›

Caribbean's were introduced with roti, Chana, Goat curry and other Indian dished to blend with their flavors, by 19th-century Indian workers, faithfully recreating favorite dishes in their new Caribbean homes.

Is Jamaican Jerk the same as Jamaican curry? ›

They're very different. Jerk is BBQ, which tends to be spicy, salty, often a bit sweet, with allspice. Curry is a saucy dish that comes in MANY forms, which tend to be more savory IMO, often having cardamom & turmeric.

Why is Jamaican food similar to Indian food? ›

Development of the cuisine

East Indian and Chinese influences can be found in Jamaican cuisine like roti, curried dishes, chow mein and sweet and sour meats as a result of indentured labourers who replaced slaves after emancipation.

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