JAMAICAN CURRY CHICKEN (Beginner-Friendly & Flavorful)

Ingredients

• 2–5 lbs chicken (cut-up)
• 2 tbsp Jamaican curry powder (Chief, Betapac, or your brand)
• 2 tbsp Chicken seasoning (Maggie )
• (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp Jerk seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Scotch bonnet powder
• 4–6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium onion, chopped
• 1–2 stalks scallion
• 1 sprig thyme
• 1/2 Green bell pepper
• 1 small piece ginger
• 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper (whole or sliced)
• 1 tsp pimento berries (about 6–8)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1–2 potatoes, peeled & cut
• 1 cup water if needed
• Additional 1 tbsp curry powder for “burning the curry”

Instructions

1. Clean & Season the Chicken
Wash chicken with lemon/vinegar + water. Drain well.
Add curry powder, chicken seasoning , Jerk seasoning or all-purpose seasoning., scotch bonnet pepper,
Add garlic, onion and pimento berries.
Rub everything in so chicken is fully coated.
Let it marinate 30 minutes or overnight for deeper flavor.

2. Burn the Curry (the Jamaican way)
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pot on medium.
Add 1 tbsp curry powder to the oil and stir until it turns dark, fragrant, and grainy about 1 minute.
This step wakes up the curry flavor and prevents raw curry taste.

3. Cook Chicken
Add seasoned chicken
Cover and let the chicken spring its own water for 15 minutes.

4. After that
Add potatoes, scallion, thyme, green bell pepper, scotch bonnet pepper and 1 cup water if needed
Stir well and cover the pot.

5. Simmer to Perfection
Cook on medium-low for 20–25 minutes until:
Chicken is tender
Potatoes are soft
Gravy is thick and rich
If you need more gravy, add a splash of hot water.

TOTAL COOKING TIME
35–40 minutes
(15 minutes springing its own water + 20–25 minutes simmer)