Brown Stew Chicken

Ingredients

CHICKEN & MARINADE

• 1 tbsp. 

  dark brown sugar

• 1 tbsp. 

  soy sauce

• 2 tsp. 

  onion or garlic powder (or 1 tsp. each)

• 1 tsp. 

  browning sauce or dark molasses

• 1 tsp. 

  freshly ground black pepper

• 1 tsp. 

  ground allspice

• 1 tsp. 

  kosher salt

• 1 tsp. 

  regular or smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp. 

  dried thyme

• 8 

  boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 lb. total)

STEW

• 2 tbsp. 

  neutral oil, divided

• 1 

  yellow onion, thinly sliced

• 1 

  red or green bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, chopped

• 1 

  medium tomato, cored, chopped

• 4 

  scallions, white and pale green parts thinly sliced

• 1 

  to 2 Scotch bonnet peppers or habanero chiles, seeds removed, chopped

• 4 

  cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 3 c. 

  low-sodium chicken broth

• 2 

  to 3 tbsp. ketchup

• 1 tbsp. 

  dark brown sugar

• 1 tbsp. 

  Worcestershire sauce

• 2 tsp. 

  finely chopped peeled ginger

• 1 tsp. 

  browning sauce or dark molasses

• 1 tsp. 

  ground allspice

• 6 

  sprigs thyme

• 1 

  bouillon cube (optional)

• 3 

  bay leaves

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tsp. 

  cornstarch (optional)

• Cooked white rice, for serving

Description

• CHICKEN & MARINADE

  1. Step 1In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix brown sugar, soy sauce, onion powder, browning sauce, black pepper, allspice, salt, paprika, and thyme until combined. Rub marinade all over chicken.
  2. Step 2Transfer chicken to a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 2 hours or, preferably, up to 12.

• STEW

  1. Step 1In a large Dutch oven or straight-sided skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Pat chicken dry. Cook half of chicken, undisturbed, until browned, about 5 minutes. Turn and cook until browned on the other side, about 5 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken and 1 tablespoon oil. (If after the first batch, the pot blackens, wipe out pot.)
  2. Step 2In same pot over medium-high heat, cook onion and bell pepper, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add tomato and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until tomato breaks down, about 5 minutes.
  3. Step 3Add scallions, Scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, broth, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, ginger, browning sauce, all spice, thyme, bouillon cube (if using), and bay leaves; season with black pepper. Scrape bottom of pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add chicken and any accumulated juices and bring to a boil. Cover pot and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until liquid is slightly reduced and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of chicken registers 160°, about 15 minutes.
  4. Step 4If you want a thicker sauce, in a small bowl, mix cornstarch and 1 teaspoon water. Add slurry, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring frequently, until desired consistency is reached, about 30 seconds.
  5. Step 5Divide rice among bowls. Spoon stew over rice.