Jamaica Chicken
A flavorful Jamaican-inspired chicken dish with sweet brown sugar, tomatoes, and spices, perfect for comforting family dinners or entertaining guests with bold flavors.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 lb. roasting chicken or skinless boneless chicken ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. butter ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. light brown sugar ⓘ
- 2 medium onions, chopped medium fine ⓘ
- 2 (1 lb.) cans stewed tomatoes ⓘ
- 1/2 to 1 c. thinly sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar ⓘ
- 3 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 3/4 tsp. dried thyme ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat butter; add sugar and stir until bubbly.
- Add chicken and brown on both sides, adjusting heat so butter mixture does not scorch.
- Add onions and cook until transparent.
- Stir in stewed tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf.
- Cover and simmer, turning chicken as necessary, until it is tender, 30 to 45 minutes.
- Skim fat from sauce if desired.
- Serve chicken with sauce over rice or noodles.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the spices and vinegar overnight. If you prefer a bit of heat, add some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. You can substitute the stewed tomatoes with diced tomatoes if you want a chunkier sauce. Fresh thyme can replace dried for a more robust taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Jamaica Chicken over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce. Complement the dish with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables. It pairs beautifully with Fruit Rice Mix, making it a vibrant meal option.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Jamaica Chicken contains roughly 1139 calories, with 8g protein, 264g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (147% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (53% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (52% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1872mg per serving (81% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use skinless chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken?
Yes, skinless chicken thighs work well in this recipe. They will cook faster than a whole chicken, so reduce the simmering time to about 20-30 minutes, or until fully cooked and tender.
How do I make this dish gluten-free?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you ensure that the canned tomatoes and any other ingredients you use don't contain gluten. Always check labels to confirm gluten-free status.
What can I use instead of red wine vinegar?
If you don't have red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be good substitutes. Both will provide a similar tangy flavor, but adjust the amount to taste as they can vary in acidity.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).