Jamaican Chicken and Cabbage Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Jamaican Chicken and Cabbage recipe featuring tender marinated chicken thighs sautéed with aromatic spices and sautéed cabbage and carrots, creating a hearty, spicy, and colorful one-pan dish perfect for a quick, comforting meal.
- Author: Sana
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts if preferred)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon thyme (fresh or dried)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (preferably green or red)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon Scotch bonnet pepper (or another hot pepper, finely chopped)
- 1 small cabbage, shredded
- 1 large carrot, julienned
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
- Season the Chicken: Begin by seasoning the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, allspice, and a little thyme. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Heat the Oil: Warm the vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add sliced onion, bell pepper, and Scotch bonnet pepper; sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add Garlic and Ginger: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add Cabbage and Carrot: Add shredded cabbage and julienned carrot, mixing well to combine all the vegetables.
- Pour in Broth: Pour in chicken broth or water and add remaining thyme; stir to evenly incorporate the liquid and herbs.
- Re-add Chicken and Simmer: Nestle the cooked chicken thighs back into the vegetable mixture. Cover the pan and cook for another 5-7 minutes to soften the cabbage and meld the flavors.
- Finish with Optional Add-ins: Stir in brown sugar and vinegar if desired, then adjust salt and pepper to taste to balance sweetness and acidity.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the Jamaican chicken and cabbage hot, accompanied by rice, fried plantains, or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat; breasts can be substituted for a leaner option.
- Adjust the Scotch bonnet pepper amount based on your heat preference, as it can be quite spicy.
- Including brown sugar and vinegar is optional but adds a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Serve with traditional Jamaican sides like rice and peas or fried plantains for an authentic experience.
- This recipe can be adapted to use other vegetables like kale or spinach in place of cabbage.
Keywords: Jamaican chicken and cabbage, spicy chicken recipe, Caribbean cuisine, one-pan chicken dish, healthy Jamaican meal