Rich in flavors, the recipe for chicken colombo transports you to the French Caribbean islands with its unique fragrances and tender meat. An emblematic dish of Antillean cuisine, this recipe is the result of a blend of tasty spices and fresh ingredients.
Discover the key ingredients to make your chicken colombo successful
To prepare a chicken colombo (for 4 people) worthy of the name, you must first get some essential ingredients:
- Chicken: Approximately 800 grams to 1 kg of chicken, whether it’s thighs, drumsticks or a whole chicken cut into pieces.
- Potatoes : 3 to 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes.
- Eggplants : 1 to 2 medium eggplants, diced.
- Zucchini : 2 medium zucchini, diced.
- Lemon juice: The juice of 1 to 2 lemons to marinate the chicken and/or to drizzle over the finished dish.
- Spices : 2 to 3 tablespoons of colombo powder, adjust according to your taste for the spice.
- Herbs: 1 bunch of green onions, finely chopped to garnish the dish before serving.
Preparing chicken colombo: an easy and quick recipe
Making a chicken colombo is simple and does not require much time:
Cut and marinate the meat
Cut your chicken into pieces and then put it in a deep dish with the equivalent of two tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix well and let it marinate for about 1 hour under a plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
Prepare the vegetables and spices
Meanwhile, rinse your vegetables and cut them into pieces (potatoes, eggplants, zucchinis). Set aside. In a frying pan, lightly toast the ingredients that make up your colombo powder: coriander, cumin, ferula, clove, fenugreek, black mustard, black pepper, turmeric, paprika, salt
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Sauté the vegetables and the chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or casserole dish on medium-high heat. Add the sliced green onions and sauté for a few minutes until they become translucent. Before cooking the marinated chicken, add the vegetables and sauté them until they are tender.
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Add the chicken and let it simmer
When your vegetables are nicely browned, add the chicken with its marinade and the mixture of previously roasted spices. Sauté all together to add character to your dish. Then pour water into your casserole dish to cover all the ingredients, bring to a boil and reduce the heat to achieve a gentle simmer for about 45 minutes.
Best practices for enjoying your chicken colombo at its best
Serve with rice for a touch of freshness and crunch
This spicy dish is usually served with steamed white rice. It allows you to somewhat lessen the spice level and fully enjoy the flavors of each ingredient.
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Garnish before serving for even more flavor
To add a final local touch to your recipe, sprinkle your chicken colombo with chopped fresh coriander or minced green onions. You can also add a few thin slices of lemon for extra zest and exoticism.
Enjoy without moderation!
Invite friends, family, or the neighborhood and announce to them that the chicken colombo is on the table. Enjoy their company around this fragrant dish that brings the warmth of the West Indies to the forefront.