Chicken with djon djon (Poule ak Djon Djon, or Poulet au Djon-Djon, or Chicken with Dried Black Mushrooms) is a traditional Haitian stew made with chicken, Djon Djon Mushrooms, and a variety of spices. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for Sunday dinner or a casual dinner with family or friends.

The Djon Djon mushrooms are a type of mushroom that is native to Haiti and have a slightly earthy flavor. This is what gives the dish its color. The mushrooms are soaked, boiled, and mixed with the seasoned chicken pieces. Once the chicken pieces are fully cooked, this dish is usually served with rice and beans, white rice with red beans puree, black bean puree, green peas puree, or white beans puree.

Many dishes prepared with djon djon mushrooms are either prepared with dried mushrooms or with the DJon DJon cubes. Another way to make the sauce is to grind it into a powder, which can be used to flavor the stew.

This traditional Haitian dish contains spices such as garlic, parsley, onion, bell pepper, thyme, and scotch bonnet pepper. The scotch bonnet pepper adds a bit of heat to the stew, but you can adjust the amount to your liking.

The chicken pieces are typically cooked in a pan until brown, which helps to tenderize the meat and shorten the cooking time when it is time to simmer with the djon djon mixture. The stew is then served with your favorite side dish.

Here is the recipe for this chicken stew with djon djon:

Here are some of the key ingredients of Chicken with Djon Djon:

Pieces of Chicken (bone-in or boneless) (chicken legs or thighs or a mixture) (or a whole chicken cut into pieces)
Garlic Cloves: adds a pungent and savory flavor to the stew.
Parsley: for a slightly peppery and umami taste.
Onion: adds a sweetness and depth of flavor to the stew.
Haitian djon djon mushrooms: This key ingredient gives the stew a unique flavor. You can find djon djon powder at most Caribbean grocery stores or online marketplaces such as Amazon.
Thyme: adds a herbaceous flavor to the stew.
Vinegar:
Salt and Ground Black Pepper to taste
Scotch bonnet pepper (optional): Scotch bonnet pepper adds a bit of heat to the stew. You can adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to your liking.
Olive oil: for moisture and to brown the chicken
Green bell pepper or Red Bell Pepper: adds a bit of sweetness and acidity to the stew.

Instructions:

The chicken pieces are cleaned with lemon, lime juice, or vinegar. After cleaning, the chicken is marinated with fresh herbs and spices for at least 4 hours.
After the chicken is marinated, it is browned until golden and set aside.
There are a couple of options to prepare the dried djon djon mushrooms. Either soak the mushrooms for a couple of hours (this can be done while the chicken pieces are marinating). The mixture is then blended in a mixture and poured into the pan with the chicken pieces to simmer. A quick option is to boil the mushrooms, let them cool, and then blend.
The browned chicken pieces are simmered until fully cooked. The bell pepper slices are added during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Serve hot over rice and with Haitian pikliz if you would like.

Notes and Tips for Chicken with Djon Djon:

It is best to brown the chicken pieces in a Dutch oven or a heavy bottom large pan with a lid. The pan will be useful for simmering this savory stew until the chicken is cooked through.
Can you make this hearty dish with chicken breast? Yes, you can. Cut or slice the chicken breast into cubes. Season and then sear in a pan with hot oil. Make the DJon DJon sauce first, and then add the chicken to the pan. You will have to adjust the cooking mushroom liquid as chicken breast does not take long to cook.
You can adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to your liking. If you don’t like heat, you can omit the pepper altogether. Or you can use NouBess Hot and Spicy Sauce.
Serve this aromatic stew with Haitian pikliz, a pickled vegetable condiment. Pikliz is a great way to add a bit of acidity and heat to this Caribbean classic stew.
Can you use chicken broth to make the stew? Yes, you can by soaking the djon djon in it. Just clean the djon djon mushroom well first.
Can you use Djon DJon Maggi Cubes? Yes, you can. Dilute the cubes first in water and cook the chicken in the broth.
Can you use Haitian Epis to marinate the chicken pieces? Yes, you can.
How about using other seasonings and spices? Yes, you can. You can create your own seasoning blend. Don’t forget to follow the rules of Caribbean cuisine the make this comfort food.
Can you customize this recipe? Absolutely! This is a very easy and simple recipe to follow. Make it your own by playing around with the seasoning.

Chicken with Djon Djon is a delicious and hearty stew that is perfect for any day of the week. It is also a great way to introduce yourself to Haitian cuisine.

Chicken with Djon Djon: A Traditional and Savory Haitian Stew

Chicken with Djon Djon is a delicious and hearty stew that is perfect for any day of the week.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Marination 4

Course Main Dishes

Cuisine Caribbean

Servings

Calories 309 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

6 Chicken pieces legs or thighs or a combination of both.
1 tbsp olive oil plus more if needed
6 cloves garlic finely crushed
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 medium onion finely sliced (red or white)
1 cup cleaned Haitian Dried Djon Djon Mushrooms
2 Sprigs of Thyme
1 tbsp vinegar red wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Hot pepper (Scotch Bonnet or Habanero Pepper)

Instructions

Clean the chicken pieces first. Skin and rinse the chicken with lime juice, lemon juice or vinegar adde to the water – similar to a water bath. Rinse again and pat dry.
Put the chicken pisces into a bowl. Add garlic, thyme, parsley, red wine vinegar (or lemon juice), hot pepper, onion, salt and pepper to taste. Marinate 4 hours or in advance a day before.
Put the dried Djon Djon mushroom in 2 cups of water, and soak for 4 hours or overnight.
Drain chicken and save seasoning.
In a Dutch oven or heavy button saucepan, heat oil over high heat. Add chicken. Cook until well browned. Put chicken aside and keep hot.
Blend the Djon Djon mushrooms in a blender. Drain and set aside.
In the Dutch oven or saucepan, add the leftover marinade and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the chicken pieces back to the pan and pour the Djon Djon broth. Season to taste and let simmer for 30-45 minutes.
Five minutes before removing the pan from the stovetop, add the bell peppers slices. Do not let them overcook.
Remove the pan when the chicken pieces are fully cooked and serve with rice.

Notes

- It is best to brown the chicken pieces in a Dutch oven or a heavy bottom large pan with a lid. The pan will be useful for simmering this savory stew until the chicken is cooked through.

- Can you make this hearty dish with chicken breast? Yes, you can. Cut or slice the chicken breast into cubes. Season and then sear in a pan with hot oil. Make the DJon DJon sauce first, and then add the chicken to the pan. You will have to adjust the cooking mushroom liquid as chicken breast does not take long to cook.

- You can adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to your liking. If you don’t like heat, you can omit the pepper altogether. Or you can use NouBess Hot and Spicy Sauce.

- Serve this aromatic stew with Haitian pikliz, a pickled vegetable condiment. Pikliz is a great way to add a bit of acidity and heat to this Caribbean classic stew.

- Can you use chicken broth to make the stew? Yes, you can by soaking the djon djon in it. Just clean the djon djon mushroom well first.

- Can you use Djon DJon Maggi Cubes? Yes, you can. Dilute the cubes first in water and cook the chicken in the broth.

- Can you use Haitian Epis to marinate the chicken pieces? Yes, you can. To make this dish with Epis, season the chicken with the mixture for a couple of hours. Brown the pieces and make the djon djon stew.

- How about using other seasonings and spices? Yes, you can. You can create your own seasoning blend. Don’t forget to follow the rules of Caribbean cuisine the make this comfort food.

- Can you customize this recipe? Absolutely! This is a very easy and simple recipe to follow. Make it your own by playing around with the seasoning.

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 22gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 110mgPotassium: 310mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 247IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg

Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.

Keyword Chicken with Djon Djon, Djon Djon, Haitian Cuisine, Haitian Dish, Poule ak djon djon, Poulet au Djon Djon

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Tried this recipe?Mention @noubesscaribbean or tag #noubesscaribbean!

Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.

Time to stock up your Pantry! Shop Noubess.comCheck out Noubess Shop!

Chicken with Djon Djon: A Delicious and Savory Haitian Stew

Here is the recipe for this chicken stew with djon djon: