Spiced Dominican Chicken Stew with Root Vegetables
A comforting Caribbean chicken stew featuring tender chicken simmered with aromatic spices and hearty root vegetables. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 75 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, diced bell pepper
- 2 large, peeled and chopped carrots
- 2 cups, peeled and cubed yuca (cassava)
- 2 medium, peeled and cubed potatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown in the oil for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove thighs and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp dried oregano, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic. Add 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the pot along with 2 cups peeled and cubed yuca, 2 peeled and cubed potatoes, and 2 large peeled and chopped carrots. Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and add 1 bay leaf.
- Step 5: Bring stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer partially covered for 45 minutes until chicken is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaf, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the stew, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Dominican Chicken Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spiced Dominican Chicken Stew with Root Vegetables?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Dominican Chicken Stew with Root Vegetables?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spiced Dominican Chicken Stew with Root Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spiced Dominican Chicken Stew with Root Vegetables?
Caribbean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
