This Nourishing Jamaican Chicken Soup is a heartwarming dish packed with bold Jamaican flavors, perfect for any day but especially comforting on cold evenings or when you’re under the weather. The soup features tender chicken, hearty vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and corn, along with delicious “spinners” (dumplings), all simmered in a flavorful broth. This traditional dish is rich in nutrients and perfect for feeding the whole family.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 lbs organic chicken (drumsticks, breasts, thighs)

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning (e.g., Flavo Rice)

For the Soup:

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 3 cups organic chicken stock (low-sodium)

• 2 (16 oz) bags organic bone broth (chicken)

• 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

• ½ red onion, chopped

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• Handful fresh thyme sprigs

• 3-4 scotch bonnet peppers, chopped (or use habanero peppers)

• 2 Irish potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 4-6 mini corn on the cob

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp dried basil

• 1 tsp dried parsley

For the Jamaican “Spinners” (Dumplings):

• 1 cup organic all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup filtered cold water (plus more if needed)

• ½ tsp sea salt

Directions

1. Season the Chicken:
   Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, all-purpose seasoning, and onion powder. Coat the chicken evenly and set aside.

2. Sear the Chicken:
   In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear it for 2-3 minutes per side. Once seared, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.

3. Make the Soup:
   In the same Dutch oven, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the garlic and onions until fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes. Add the chopped carrots, season with salt, pepper, parsley, basil, turmeric, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.

4. Add the Chicken and Broth:
   Add the seared chicken back to the pot. Pour in the chicken stock, bone broth, corn, potatoes, thyme, and scotch bonnet peppers. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.

5. Make the Dumplings:
   In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and black pepper. Gradually add cold water, kneading until a stiff dough forms. Pinch off small pieces and roll them into dumplings (spinners).

6. Cook the Dumplings:
   Drop the dumplings into the boiling soup. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is tender, and the dumplings are cooked through.

7. Serve:
   Once the soup is ready, remove from heat. Serve hot with crackers or bread on the side.

Nutrients (approximate per serving)

• Calories: 766 kcal

• Protein: 51g

• Carbohydrates: 39g

• Fat: 44g

• Saturated Fat: 11g

• Cholesterol: 175mg

• Sodium: 1899mg

• Potassium: 866mg

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 5g

• Vitamin A: 6592 IU

• Vitamin C: 8mg

• Calcium: 72mg

• Iron: 5mg

Why Jamaican Chicken Soup?

Jamaican Chicken Soup, known for its vibrant flavors and comforting nature, is a staple in many Jamaican households. It’s a soup that truly nourishes, providing warmth and energy with every spoonful. The use of fresh thyme, garlic, and scotch bonnet peppers creates a unique depth of flavor that sets this dish apart. It’s a one-pot meal that combines both savory and spicy elements, making it perfect for those who love bold and hearty flavors. This recipe incorporates nutrient-dense ingredients, ensuring you’re getting a balanced meal that’s not only delicious but also good for you.

The Rich Broth

At the heart of this Jamaican Chicken Soup is its rich, flavorful broth. The chicken stock, paired with the organic bone broth, creates a deep, savory base that infuses the soup with a rich, umami flavor. The bone broth is particularly beneficial, as it’s packed with nutrients like collagen and minerals that help support joint health and digestion. The combination of these broths is essential for creating a comforting, nourishing soup that delivers both flavor and health benefits.

The Vegetables and Spices

This soup is packed with a variety of vegetables, each contributing to the dish’s flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Carrots and potatoes provide sweetness and heartiness, while the corn adds a pop of color and slight crunch. The inclusion of scotch bonnet peppers (or habanero peppers) adds the perfect amount of heat and spice, giving the soup its signature Jamaican flair. The fresh thyme, turmeric, and dried basil work together to season the soup with aromatic and earthy flavors, making each bite even more flavorful. These spices, along with garlic and onions, form a flavorful base that complements the chicken and vegetables beautifully.

The Chicken: Tender and Flavorful

For this Jamaican Chicken Soup, the chicken is seasoned and seared to add depth of flavor to the soup. The searing process locks in the juices, ensuring the chicken remains tender and flavorful when it simmers in the broth. The use of bone-in chicken (such as drumsticks, breasts, or thighs) adds richness to the soup, as the bones help infuse the broth with additional flavor. As the chicken simmers, it becomes fall-off-the-bone tender and imparts a wonderful depth to the soup.

Making the Spinners: Dumplings of Comfort

The “spinners” in this Jamaican Chicken Soup are small, hand-rolled dumplings that add a satisfying texture to the soup. Made with just flour, water, and a pinch of salt, the dumplings are rolled into small pieces and dropped into the simmering broth. As the soup cooks, the spinners absorb the rich flavors of the broth while becoming soft and pillowy. The addition of these dumplings makes the soup even more hearty, giving it a comforting, satisfying feel.

The Cooking Process: Simple and Flavorful

Making Jamaican Chicken Soup is relatively easy, despite the number of ingredients. The process begins with seasoning and searing the chicken, which adds flavor to the base of the soup. After the chicken is seared, garlic, onions, carrots, and other spices are sautéed, creating the aromatic foundation for the soup. The broth and vegetables are then added, and the soup is brought to a boil before simmering for the flavors to meld together. Meanwhile, the spinners are prepared and added to the soup in the final stages of cooking, allowing them to cook through and absorb all the flavors of the broth.

Once the soup has simmered and the chicken is tender, it’s time to serve. The soup can be enjoyed on its own or paired with crackers or bread to soak up the delicious broth. The result is a rich, flavorful soup that’s both comforting and nourishing.

Serving Suggestions for Jamaican Chicken Soup

Jamaican Chicken Soup is hearty and filling on its own, but it can also be served with a variety of sides for a more complete meal. Traditional Jamaican sides like fried dumplings, hard dough bread, or festival (fried dough) would complement the soup perfectly. For a lighter option, serve the soup with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh, crisp salad to balance out the richness of the dish. The soup pairs beautifully with a cold, refreshing beverage like Jamaican ginger beer or a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade.

Nutritional Benefits of Jamaican Chicken Soup

This soup is rich in nutrients, thanks to its combination of protein, vegetables, and flavorful broths. Each serving contains around 51 grams of protein, primarily from the chicken, making it an excellent choice for muscle repair and overall health. The vegetables in the soup—carrots, potatoes, corn—provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin A, potassium, and vitamin C. The scotch bonnet peppers, while adding heat, also provide capsaicin, which has been linked to metabolism-boosting benefits. The bone broth contributes additional collagen, which is great for skin, hair, and joint health. Overall, this soup is a well-rounded, nutrient-dense meal that can support your overall health while delivering a satisfying and comforting dish.

Why This Recipe is a Must-Try

Jamaican Chicken Soup is the perfect combination of flavor, texture, and nutrition. The tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and rich broth come together to create a dish that’s both comforting and nourishing. The addition of the spicy scotch bonnet peppers gives the soup a distinctive kick, while the spinners (dumplings) add a unique, satisfying texture. Whether you’re looking for a meal to warm you up on a chilly day or a dish to enjoy with your family, this Jamaican Chicken Soup is the perfect option. It’s simple to make, packed with bold flavors, and sure to become a favorite in your household.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this Nourishing Jamaican Chicken Soup is a flavorful, nutrient-packed dish that brings the best of Jamaican cooking to your table. With tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a flavorful broth, along with the addition of spinners for texture, this soup is both comforting and satisfying. The bold flavors, combined with the health benefits of the ingredients, make it a perfect choice for a weeknight dinner, a cozy meal on a cold day, or a special occasion. Serve it with your favorite sides, and enjoy a meal that’s both delicious and nourishing.