Jamaican Chicken and Pumpkin Soup

This hearty meal is warm, comforting, and flavorful. The mouthwatering fusion of flavors is perfect for a cozy family dinner, a pick-me-up on sick days, or a cold-weather meal to warm your heart.

Course Main

Cuisine Caribbean

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1 5

Servings

Calories 393kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

3 pounds (1.5k) or more chicken thighs, cut into chunks
1 medium onion, diced
2 teaspoons (4g) minced garlic
2 teaspoons (2g) fresh thyme
1 scotch bonnet pepper
1 teaspoon (2g) smoked paprika
1 bay leaf
5 cups (1.2l) or more broth (or water and bouillon)
2-3 green onions, finely sliced
1 teaspoon (2g) allspice
1 chayote, cut into large chunks
1 green plantain, peeled and cut into chunks
2-3 cups (280-420g) butternut squash, peeled and cut into large chunks
1-2 carrots, cut into large chunks
2-3 tablespoons (8-12g) parsley (optional)
1 packet cock flavored soup mix
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat a stock pot or Dutch oven with oil, then add onions, green onions, garlic, thyme, allspice, bay leaf, and scotch bonnet pepper or hot sauce. Stir for about 3 minutes to get the aromatics going. Then, add chicken, salt, and pepper, and stir for about a minute.
Pour the broth into the pot, and toss in the vegetables: plantains, squash, chayote, and carrots. Add the cock flavor and adjust the salt to taste.
Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes.
Adjust seasonings to taste, remove from heat, and serve with bread.

Notes

Chayote, also known as christophenes or chocho, is available in most supermarkets and especially in Latino or Caribbean markets.
You can also throw these ingredients minus the veggies in your crock pot and cook them on low for 5-6 hours. I like to add the vegetables about 30 minutes before I'm ready to serve the soup to keep them from getting too mushy. Speaking of mushy...
Getting the flavors right is easy, so focus on texture. Tender chicken is quite simple, but avoiding seriously mushy vegetables is more challenging. Prevent the mush by checking them every so often during the cooking process. Adjust cooking time to suit your preferred texture.
Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition