Jamaican Festy Cock Stew

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) chicken, cut into pieces 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped 2 onions, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 bell peppers, diced 2 bell peppers, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers, seeded and minced 2 scotch bonnet peppers, seeded and minced
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the onions and garlic to the pot and sauté until they become translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they are browned on all sides.
4. 4.
   Stir in the bell peppers, tomatoes, scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, bay leaves, allspice, paprika, and brown sugar. Cook for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Pour in the chicken broth and season with salt and pepper.
6. 6.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 1 hour or until the chicken is tender and the flavors have developed.
7. 7.
   Adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. 8.
   Serve the Festy Cock Stew hot with rice and peas.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — For the best flavor and tenderness, use bone-in chicken pieces such as thighs and drumsticks.
• Scotch bonnet peppers — Adjust the amount of peppers according to your spice tolerance. Be cautious as they are very hot. Consider wearing gloves while handling them.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, marinate the chicken in the spice mixture overnight before cooking.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken pieces from the pot once they are cooked and simmer the sauce on medium heat until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Serve the Festy Cock Stew with a side of Jamaican-style rice and peas for a complete and authentic meal.

Serving advice

Garnish the Festy Cock Stew with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley for a burst of freshness. Serve it alongside a generous portion of fluffy rice and peas to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Presentation advice

Serve the Festy Cock Stew in individual bowls, allowing the vibrant colors of the stew to shine through. Place a sprig of fresh thyme on top of each serving for an elegant touch.