How to Make Curry Chicken

Spice up your life with this Caribbean classic!

Curry chicken is easily one of my top five favorite recipes! It’s spicy, flavorful, and delicious. Growing up in Brooklyn had me hip to some of the best West Indian restaurants in the world. There are several ways you can make this dish ranging from the classic Jamaican way to the Trinidadian version. Speaking from personal experience, this version is my favorite.

A recipe that only gets better with time

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression to marinate until you lose patience (credit: The Golden Balance). Curry chicken is one of those recipes that I highly encourage you to let it marinate as long as you can. The flavor profile from the seasoning blend to the green seasoning mixed in with the slow building curry will give your taste buds the party it deserves.

Trigger warning: This version is very starch heavy

I add carrots and potatoes to mine to give it a bit of texture and balance. Additionally, I put this on top of some homemade yellow rice. Yes, I know, you’re probably hitting me with the bombastic side eye wondering why so much starch. All I can say to that is, because…

• The flavor– Every chef and cook knows that a great curry (hence why I didn’t say good) takes time! The flavor for this recipe gets better with time!
• The spice levels– You can customize the spice tolerance for this recipe to your liking. I like mine spicy so the recipe you’ll see calls for a specific measurement of peppers. Use your best judgment to determine your spice levels.

Grocery List for the Curry Chicken

• Chicken drums (I had about 15)
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• All Purpose Seasoning (I got mine from Station 1923, a Black woman owned business. Get the link here- https://station1923.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoonWf-TpZ1qpitVKnBnOwyTX5vL7gUuRRkqQkyn6sbPRoXd1KsT
• Green Seasoning (Here’s the recipe in full- https://cookingwithpatlee.com/recipe/how-to-make-authentic-green-seasoning/
• Curry powder (I use Chief’s Brand. It’s a Trinidadian blend of curry, spices, and turmeric. Get the link here-https://www.amazon.com/Chief-Curry-Powder-Trinidad-Tobago/dp/B0D4B56BDY/ref=sr_1_2?crid=23J53KG2V2I8Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.f1Bl4QFOru0zQ082HrzDOQhalQT1pqOBzLytVAvB_T3wWoXEuABtobxOP_Bu0-VFf1oBwgaOFpBbOGHfixvrLSxmmB5xqpIGGdTi5TIjEZLTyA0M8ODUlOX912IiFE4vPSdTYNi2cOz74g5Hvb3lt4urXXWcjPt3iz-xo5L2Wj-3gDlgAUQ8FYI9nMm2-ebowDzRO76UBXz1kvOH7t7cAiC7FNsFCPOjP8uO8YI8Dwu5n4DmMvvaJeurUAUtBGUdnYVJT3bRmhfyle7j8yDAbFjlaXt_5QTbkmU014VXMq8.3lir5VxoBMmu6wNPDv6rzC6SIguyjNJ4BDisoFKAE7M&dib_tag=se&keywords=chiefs+curry&qid=1786299672&sprefix=%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-2
• Turmeric
• Hot water
• Russet potatoes
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Thyme
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Oil

• As mentioned earlier, the longer you let this sit and marinate, the better the flavor.

Print Recipe

How to Make Curry Chicken

Author: Patrick Lee

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 60 mins Total Time 1 hr 15 mins

Servings: 8

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

This curry chicken is a one of kind recipe that brings together spice and flavor in ways you can't imagine! Check out this simple way to make one of the best dishes you'll ever have!

Ingredients

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Servings

• 15 chicken drumsticks
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp garlic powder
• 3 tbsp onion powder
• 0.5 cup green seasoning
• 4 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tbsp turmeric
• 2 tbsp all-purpose seasoning
• Hot water
• 2 russet potatoes (diced)
• 1 large carrot (diced)
• ¹⁄₂ cup tomatoes
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper (including the seeds)
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 cups chicken broth

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, add your cleaned chicken drumsticks.

2. Season with all-purpose seasoning, black pepper, garlic and onion powder, and green seasoning.

3. Mix until well combined and let it marinate for at least an hour (overnight for best results).
4. Take your turmeric and curry powder adding it to a small bowl.
5. Mix in with hot water a little bit at a time until it forms a paste.
6. Once the chicken is done marinating, turn the stove onto medium.
7. Add your 2 tbsp oil to a Dutch oven or large pot.
8. Add the curry.
9. Mix it with the oil and let it cook 2-3 minutes.
10. Once that cooks, add in the chicken.
11. Continue to mix until the curry coats the chicken completely.
12. Cook for about 8 minutes occasionally stirring.

13. Add in the tomatoes, bay leaves, thyme, and scotch bonnet pepper.

14. Mix until well combined.

15. Add in 3-4 cups of chicken broth to the pot and turn to medium low.

16. Cover with a lid and cook for about 10 minutes.
17. After 10 minutes, remove the lid.
18. Stir and add more water, enough to immerse the curry chicken.
19. Cook for another 10-15 minutes.
20. Remove the lid and add your potatoes and carrots.
21. Season to taste with salt, pepper.

22. Cover and cook for another 30 minutes. Or until the potatoes and carrots are softened, and the chicken is falling off the bone.

23. Serve with rice and enjoy!

Keywords: Caribbean Curry Chicken, Curry Chicken, Caribbean Food, Caribbean Recipes, Jamaican Food, Jamaican Curry Chicken, West Indian Food, West Indian Recipes, Curry Recipes, Chicken Recipes, Green Seasoning, Caribbean Cooking, Sunday Dinner, Food History, Caribbean Food Culture

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