Authentic Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

I'm Jamaican and this is the way my Mama made brown stew chicken. It's traditionally served with rice and peas, sliced tomatoes / avocado and fried ripe plantain. If you cut the chicken into very small pieces, you'll need to reduce the cooking times. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  small whole chicken, cut into portions
• 1  large tomatoes, chopped
• 3 -4  stalks scallions, chopped
• 1  large onion, chopped
• 2  garlic cloves, chopped
• 1  hot pepper, chopped (scotch bonnet)
• 1  medium carrot, chopped finely
• 1  limes or 1⁄4 cup lime juice
• 3 -4  sprigs fresh thyme or 2  teaspoons dried thyme
• 1  teaspoon pimiento or 1  teaspoon allspice, cracked
• 2  tablespoons soy sauce
• 1⁄2 tablespoon flour or 2  teaspoons cornstarch
• 2  cups unsweetened coconut milk
• 1  tablespoon coconut oil

Directions

1. Squeeze lime over chicken and rub well. Drain off excess lime juice.
2. Combine tomato, scallion, onion, garlic, pepper, thyme, pimento and soy sauce in a large bowl with the chicken pieces. Cover and marinate at least one hour.
3. Heat oil in a dutch pot or large saucepan. Shake off the seasonings as you remove each piece of chicken from the marinade. Reserve the marinade for sauce.
4. Lightly brown the chicken a few pieces at a time in very hot oil. Place browned chicken pieces on a plate to rest while you brown the remaining pieces.
5. Drain off excess oil and return the chicken to the pan. Pour the marinade over the chicken and add the carrots. Stir and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
6. Mix flour and coconut milk and add to stew, stirring constantly. Turn heat down to minimum and cook another 20 minutes or until tender.