Documented recipe

Martinican Chicken Colombo

A Martinican stew of chicken marinated with Colombo spices, chayote and vegetables. Serves 8, with about 35 minutes of preparation, 50 minutes of cooking and 8 hours 20 minutes of resting, including the marinade.

The chicken is chilled in a marinade of lemon, garlic and spices, then browned and simmered with Colombo, chayote, cucumber and other vegetables. Hands-on preparation times are estimates. Serve the stew hot, with white rice if you like.

Total time585 min
DifficultyIntermediate
servings8
Martinican Chicken Colombo
Image generated by the Kitchenpause team

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Method

  1. 01

    Marinate the chicken

    Place the chicken in a container with the lemon juice, half the garlic, salt, black pepper, cloves, thyme, bay leaf and cinnamon. Mix, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours.

    Ready to continue when: The chicken is coated in the marinade and has rested in the refrigerator for 8 hours.

    480 min
  2. 02

    Brown the chicken and vegetables

    Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Remove the chicken from the marinade and brown it; set it aside. Add the brown sugar and let it melt until it begins to caramelize. Add the onion, red and green peppers, and the remaining garlic, stirring until they begin to soften.

    Ready to continue when: The chicken has browned patches and the sugar has melted; the onion and peppers are beginning to soften.

    10 min
  3. 03

    Add the spices and chayote

    Return the chicken to the pot with the marinade juices. Add the Colombo spice blend, cumin, turmeric and ginger, and stir. Pour in the rum and let the flames subside. Add the chayote and enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

    Ready to continue when: The stew is gently bubbling and the chayote is beginning to soften; the chicken is covered by the liquid.

    20 min
  4. 04

    Add the remaining vegetables

    Add the cucumber, carrots, bouquet garni and whole, unpierced chili. Cover and continue simmering over low heat for about 20 minutes, until the chicken and vegetables are tender.

    Ready to continue when: The chicken and vegetables are tender when pierced, and the chili is still whole.

    20 min
  5. 05

    Rest and finish

    Remove the pot from the heat and let the stew rest for 20 minutes. Remove the bouquet garni and chili. Finish with the chopped green onion and a few sprigs of parsley, and serve hot.

    Ready to continue when: The stew has rested for 20 minutes and is finished with green onion and parsley.

    20 min

Sources and review

Content researched, cross-checked and automatically validated. Sources consulted:

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  2. Martinique cuisine: ten Creole dishes | NKOSI www.nkosiagro.com/en/blogs/blog-and-recipes/martinican-cuisine-emblematic-creole-dishes?srsl…
  3. Top 5 recipes from Martinique|Europcar en.europcar-martinique.com/discover-martinique/culture-heritage/top-5-martinican-cooking-rec…
  4. Top 10 Things to Eat in Martinique www.royalcaribbean.com/inspire/what-to-eat-in-martinique
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  6. Consumer choices in Martinique and Saint-Domingue: 1740--1780 | OpenAlex openalex.org/W2274537307
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  8. Traditional dishes – Southern Martinique sud-martinique-tourisme.com/en/taste/martiniques-cuisine/traditional-dishes/
  9. Recipes of Martinique | AZ Martinique azmartinique.com/en/all-to-know/recipes
  10. Langostinos a la Martinica ~ Las mil y una cayenas www.lasmilyunacayenas.es/2018/11/langostinos-la-martinica.html
  11. Experiencias gastronómicas en Martinica: descubre 9 actividades www.byfood.com/es/martinique-food-experiences
  12. Gastronomía en Martinica - 22 Especialidades - Guía, Vacaciones y Fines de semana www.france-voyage.com/francia-gastronomia/martinique-departement.htm
  13. Chicken Curry, Colombo Martinique-style – The Reef mechanteanemone.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/chicken-curry-colombo-martinique-style/
  14. Chicken Colombo | RICARDO www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/3839-chicken-colombo
  15. Colombo – a curry from Martinique and Guadeloupe - InDepth www.thecaterer.com/indepth/colombo--a-curry-from-martinique-and-guadeloupe
  16. Chicken colombo | AZ Martinique azmartinique.com/en/all-to-know/recipes/chicken-colombo
  17. A Taste of the Caribbean: Poulet de Colombo Recipe - Utah Stories utahstories.com/2024/07/poulet-de-colombo/
  18. Euzhan's Chicken Colombo - Martinique Gourmande martiniquegourmande.ca/en/recipes/euzhans-chicken-colombo/
  19. Chicken Colombo | en.martinique-tour.com/savor/creole-recipes-and-specialties/chicken-colombo/
  20. Martinican Colombo: Authentic Recipe and Indian History hosteltoucan.com/en/blog/martinican-colombo-authentic-recipe-and-indian-history/
  21. Chicken Colombo: A Blend of Caribbean Flavors from the French West Indies #Winophiles - Always Ravenous alwaysravenous.com/chicken-colombo-a-blend-of-caribbean-flavors-from-the-french-west-indies-…
  22. Colombo de pollo, el curry caribeño de las Antillas francesas www.directoalpaladar.com/recetas-de-carnes-y-aves/colombo-pollo-curry-caribeno-antillas-fran…
  23. Colombo de Poulet — Caribbean Recipes caribbean-recipes.com/es/recipes/colombo-de-poulet
  24. Colombo de pollo: la receta del curry caribeño de las Antillas francesas para cocinar a fuego lento – Radio Mitre radiomitre.cienradios.com/curiosidades/colombo-de-pollo-la-receta-del-curry-caribeno-de-las-…
  25. - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KdX2I9MFtA
  26. Martinique cuisine: ten Creole dishes | NKOSI www.nkosiagro.com/en/blogs/blog-and-recipes/martinican-cuisine-emblematic-creole-dishes?srsl…

State: Published after documentary validation; no “Tested” label is shown.

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