Go Back
Hearty homemade chicken stew with vegetables in a warm, rustic bowl

Chicken Stew (Classic + Jamaican Brown Stew Variation)

A hearty, comforting chicken stew recipe that can be made classic or transformed into a bold Jamaican-style brown stew. Perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, and slow cooker nights.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Caribbean
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

For Classic Chicken Stew
  • 1 kg chicken (bone-in or boneless, cut into pieces)
  • 2 cups diced potatoes
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 peas
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp oil or butter
Optional Jamaican-Style Brown Stew Variation
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (for caramelizing)
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • ½ tsp Scotch bonnet pepper (optional)
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

Equipment

  • Large cooking pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Knife & chopping board
  • Crock pot (optional)

Method
 

Classic Chicken Stew
  1. Brown the Chicken
  2. Sauté Aromatics
  3. Build the Stew Base
  4. Add Broth & Simmer
  5. Finish with Peas
Jamaican Style Brown Stew Chicken (Variation)
  1. Caramelize Sugar
  2. Brown the Chicken in Caramel
  3. Add Aromatics & Spices
  4. Simmer With Broth
  5. Serve Hot

Video

Notes

Hearty homemade chicken stew with vegetables in a warm, rustic bowl
A comforting bowl of homemade chicken stew filled with rich flavors and fresh vegetables.
  • Thickening the Stew:
    For a naturally thicker stew, mash a few cooked potato pieces directly into the broth. You can also add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water).
  • Best Chicken to Use:
    Chicken thighs give the richest flavor and stay juicy. Bone-in chicken also deepens the broth taste.
  • Vegetable Variations:
    Add mushrooms, sweet potatoes, green beans, or corn for extra texture and nutrients.
  • Enhancing Flavor:
    Brown the chicken well before adding liquids — this step builds deep, hearty flavor in the stew.
  • Salt Levels:
    If using regular (not low-sodium) broth, reduce added salt until the end to avoid over-salting.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly:
    The stew tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer Instructions:
    Let the stew cool completely before storing. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat slowly on the stove.
  • Crock Pot Tip:
    For the best slow-cooker flavor, brown the chicken first — it prevents the stew from tasting flat.
  • Jamaican Variation Note:
    When making brown stew chicken, caramelize the sugar slowly and watch closely — proper browning creates the signature deep Jamaican flavor.
  • Heat Control:
    Scotch bonnet pepper adds spice to the Jamaican version; adjust or omit based on your heat tolerance.
QR Code linking back to recipe