Easy Caribbean Curry Chicken for Beginners
Learn how to make easy Caribbean curry chicken with boneless chicken thighs, potatoes, and simple pantry ingredients. This small-batch recipe is perfect for beginners and delivers authentic Caribbean flavor without requiring homemade green seasoning.
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Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 427kcal
Equipment
- Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a lid
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1½ pounds chicken thighs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4 large thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ medium onion finely chopped, divided
- 1 plum tomato chopped
- 1 scallion chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic about 4 cloves
- 4 sprigs thyme fresh or or 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- Hot pepper minced, to taste
- 4 tablespoons green seasoning optional, divided
For the Curry
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Remaining ½ medium onion sliced
- 2 tablespoons Lala's curry powder or other Caribbean curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ cup water
- 1 potato about 6 ounces after peeling, cut into thin wedges
- 1 to 2 cups hot water if needed
- 1 tbsp chopped scallion to finish, or 4–5 chopped culantro (bandania/chadon beni) leaves, or chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the chicken. Season with the salt, pepper, chopped onion, tomato, scallion, garlic, thyme, hot pepper, and optional 2 tbs green seasoning.
- Heat the oil and cook the sliced onion until softened and the edges are brown.
- Add the curry powder, turmeric, optional remaining 2 tbs green seasoning, and ½ cup water. Cook, stirring continuously, for 3 to 5 minutes until the curry becomes grainy and fragrant and the oil begins to separate.
- Add the chicken and potatoes. Stir over medium-low heat, uncovered, for about 5 minutes.
- Cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.
- Add hot water if more sauce is desired and simmer for a few minutes.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning--add salt if required.
- Finish with chopped scallion, culantro, or cilantro and serve.
Notes
Cooking the curry until it becomes grainy is one of the secrets to authentic Caribbean flavor.
Homemade green seasoning is optional.
Boneless chicken thighs stay tender and juicy, making this an excellent recipe for beginners.
Leftovers taste even better the next day.
Nutrition
Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 580mg | Potassium: 588mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 357IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 3mg