Jamaican Chicken Soup Caribbean

This vibrant Jamaican Chicken Soup comes steaming straight from my family’s kitchen memories bringing warmth with every spoonful. It is a savory feast featuring tender chicken, golden yams, dumplings, and Caribbean spices for that nostalgic island flavor and soothing comfort. There is nothing like the aroma of bubbling soup wafting from the pot as everyone gathers around the table.

Every time I make this, it instantly takes me back to cozy Sundays spent with family The kitchen hums with laughter and the familiar scent of thyme and pimento.

Ingredients

• Chicken pieces on the bone: Adds rich flavor and body to your broth Look for legs or thighs with skin trimmed but bone intact for best results
• Carrots: Sliced for their gentle sweetness Choose firm and bright for maximum flavor
• Potatoes: Diced for heartiness Opt for waxy varieties to hold their shape
• Yellow yam: Classic Caribbean starch Provides color and substance Select a firm smooth tuber without blemishes
• Green bananas: Essential for the unique flavor and a subtle vegetal note Make sure they are truly green for proper texture
• Corn: Sweet and juicy bursts in every bite Fresh corn on the cob delivers authentic texture
• Chayote or chocho: Delicate crunch and mildness Totally optional but recommended for authenticity Choose unblemished pale green chayote
• Scallions: Fresh herbal lift Chop only the green parts for a milder onion note
• Thyme: Woody, citrusy Best if fresh Snip from a bush or buy a small bunch
• Onion: Layered flavor for your base Finely chop for even distribution
• Garlic: Minced for aromatic depth Select plump juicy cloves
• Scotch bonnet pepper: True Jamaican heat Use whole for gentle warmth or sliced for bold spice Always handle with care and avoid touching your face
• Water or chicken stock: Deepens flavor Broth takes on more body with stock but water keeps it clean and light
• Jamaican cock soup mix or chicken bouillon and all purpose seasoning: Adds that signature yellow color and savory notes Check your mix label for MSG or allergens if sensitive
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Seasonings to round it all out Use sea salt and grind your pepper fresh if possible
• All purpose flour for dumplings: Make your soup extra filling Use unbleached flour for best texture
• Salt in dumplings: Just a pinch enhances flavor
• Water in dumplings: Add slowly and knead to the right toughness

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken and Broth:

Rinse and clean chicken pieces thoroughly trimming any excess fat Place them in a large soup pot with water or chicken stock Bring to a rolling boil while skimming off any foam to ensure a clear broth

Establish the Flavor Base:

Reduce the heat to medium Add chopped onion minced garlic scallions and thyme Sprigs Simmer gently for fifteen minutes to allow the flavors to infuse the broth This step lays the aromatic foundation

Add the Roots and Veggies:

Add yam carrots potatoes green bananas corn and chayote to the pot Sprinkle in the soup mix or alternative bouillon and all purpose seasoning Season with salt and black pepper Stir everything so vegetables are evenly distributed in the liquid

Shape and Make Dumplings:

While the vegetables cook Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl Slowly drizzle in water stirring continuously to form a stiff but pliable dough Pinch off marble sized pieces and roll them between your palms until you get thin spindle shapes commonly called spinners

Simmer with Dumplings and Scotch Bonnet:

Add the shaped dumplings into the simmering soup Drop in the whole Scotch bonnet pepper for flavor and mild heat Cover the pot and simmer for forty to fifty minutes so the chicken turns tender and the vegetables are fork soft The soup will thicken naturally as it cooks

Taste and Adjust:

Remove the Scotch bonnet pepper for a gentler heat Profile Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning if necessary with extra salt or black pepper

Serve:

Ladle the hot soup into bowls Garnish with extra chopped scallions or a sprig of fresh thyme if desired Serve immediately while steaming for the full effect of coziness

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Once I doubled this soup for a big family reunion and not a single drop was left My uncle who prides himself on his own soup quietly snuck seconds When you serve this in a big pot everyone makes a beeline for their favorite dumpling.

Storage Tips

Once cooled store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge It lasts up to four days and flavors meld and deepen with time Always bring it to a gentle simmer before serving again so the chicken stays tender If you want to freeze portion into smaller containers and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap yam for sweet potato or even regular russet potato for convenience No chayote available Use more carrot or celery to bulk things up Gluten free flour works for dumplings just add an extra splash of water to help the dough hold together If you are out of cock soup mix use chicken bouillon and a pinch of turmeric for the classic yellow color.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in wide bowls with a slab of crusty Jamaican hard dough bread or basic white bread The soup is equally good poured over steamed white rice A squeeze of fresh lime juice over your bowl brightens all the flavors My kids sometimes load theirs up with extra dumplings for a main meal.

Cultural Context

Jamaican Chicken Soup is known as a classic Saturday meal across the island With roots in both African and colonial traditions the soup showcases indigenous root vegetables like yam and green bananas while also making use of affordable cuts of chicken It is as much a comfort food as it is a celebration dish for big family gatherings Holidays and cool rainy evenings are not the same without it.

Seasonal Adaptations

In colder weather add more starchy vegetables for a thicker stew Sub fresh pumpkin chunks for added sweetness during fall months Try local greens like callaloo for a fresh twist in springtime The key to this recipe is its adaptability Jamaican cooks tradition ally use what is on hand.

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Let this Jamaican Chicken Soup bring joyous warmth to your table Everyone will be reaching for seconds with a smile.

Recipe FAQ

→ What makes Jamaican chicken soup unique?

The combination of tropical root vegetables, green bananas, aromatic herbs, and gentle heat from Scotch bonnet pepper sets it apart from other soups.

→ Can I make dumplings gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute gluten-free flour for the dumplings, adjusting water as needed to reach a stiff dough consistency.

→ How spicy is the final dish?

Using a whole Scotch bonnet pepper keeps the heat mild; slicing the pepper will increase the spice level to suit your taste.

→ Are there vegetarian modifications?

Omit the chicken and use vegetable stock, then add extra root vegetables or plantains for a satisfying vegetarian variation.

→ What bread pairs well with this soup?

Traditional Jamaican hard dough bread is a popular accompaniment, adding hearty texture and flavor to your meal.

→ What tools are essential for preparation?

A large soup pot, chef’s knife, cutting board, mixing bowl, and wooden spoon are useful for preparing this comforting dish.