Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty and flavorful chicken stew infused with traditional Dominican spices and fresh herbs, perfect for cozy dinners. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, yellow onion (chopped) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown chicken on all sides for 6-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 cup chopped yellow onion and 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant and tomato paste darkens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 2 bay leaves, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes. Stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Return the browned chicken thighs to the pot, nestling them into the sauce. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 35-40 minutes until chicken is tender and cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Remove bay leaves, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot with rice or crusty bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken Stew take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken Stew?

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 Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken Stew?

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 Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken Stew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken Stew?

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.

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