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Home » Recipes

How To Make INCREDIBLY Delicious Haitian Chicken!

Published: Oct 14, 2021 · Modified: Sep 23, 2023 by Grace · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about how to make INCREDIBLY Delicious Haitian Chicken!

Haitian Chicken in a cast iron skillet in a savory red sauce with lime wedges and slices of red bell pepper.
Epis is the perfect marinade for Haitian chicken!

Haitian Chicken aka Poul Nan Sos (Haitian Chicken in Sauce)

Please allow me to begin by saying that Haitian Chicken is BLOW YOUR MIND DELICIOUS! This is basically stewed chicken done the Haitian way...and I think it must be one of the BEST chicken dishes in world cuisine!

Haitian cuisine is a Creole cuisine, and Haitians use fresh herbs, peppers, bouillon cubes, and a seasoning base called epis. Poul Nan Sos incorporates all of these ingredients which combine to give you this absolute taste sensation that I keep going on about!

So let's get to the nitty gritty on how to make this fantastic dish!

Jump to:
  • Haitian Chicken aka Poul Nan Sos (Haitian Chicken in Sauce)
  • Ingredients You Will Need To Make Haitian Chicken
  • 3 Steps To Haitian Chicken Heaven!
  • What To Serve With Haitian Chicken
  • Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy!
  • How To Make Incredibly Delicious Haitian Chicken!

Ingredients You Will Need To Make Haitian Chicken

So these are the ingredients you will need to make Haitian Chicken in Sauce:

  • Chicken drumsticks
  • Lime
  • Vegetable oil
  • Bouillon cubes (please use Maggi just as the Haitians do!)
  • Pepper
  • Goya Adobo seasoning
  • Haitian epis
  • Chicken broth
  • Onion
  • Red bell pepper
  • Tomato paste
Black pepper, a bottle of Haitian epis, Goya Adobo seasoning, and maggi seasoning cubes
Black pepper, Haitian epis, Goya seasoning, and Maggi bouillon cubes

What is Haitian Epis?

You likely are familiar with most of the above ingredients, however Haitian epis might be new to you. Epis is a widely used seasoning base in Haitian cuisine. It seems that there are many variations of epis recipes, but they generally contain herbs, peppers, garlic, and yes, bouillon cubes. 😃. The epis is used to add flavor to rice, soups, stews, as well used as a marinade for various meats and fish. Think of it as similar to sofrito, which is used in Hispanic cuisine.

In this recipe for Poul nan Sos, I use Haitian epis as part of the marinade for the chicken. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you make your own epis! It's super easy and you'll want to add it to everything!

A glass bottle with green Haitian epis held by someone's hand.
A green version of epis with green bell pepper.
Two glass jars filled with Haitian epis with some parsley on the side.
A reddish version of epis with red bell pepper.

My recipe for epis can be found at "How To Make Delish Haitian Epis." The pictures above show one version made with green bell peppers, and another with red bell peppers. This accounts for the difference in color.

If you prefer to buy some ready made epis, I found some for sale on Etsy.com. This one from OrganicIslandGarden looks great!

Once you have some Haitian epis, we are now ready to proceed with making this awesome chicken dish!

3 Steps To Haitian Chicken Heaven!

Ok, so it does take a little time to make this dish, but believe me it is TOTALLY worth it! Here are the 3 steps:

1. Clean The Chicken

I learned that many Haitians will clean not only chicken, but other types of meat as well. After researching, it seems that this is to get rid of any harmful bacteria that would make anyone sick. Please remember that in Haiti, the standards for food are not the same as in the United States, where I am. Technically if you have refrigeration and you are assured that the chicken you are buying is wholesome and safe, you can skip this step. HOWEVER, I recommend experiencing the preparation of this dish as Haitians would and it's interesting and fun! Plus I have to believe this process makes the chicken taste better!

Start by removing as much skin from the drumsticks as possible. Make some cuts into the meat (this is so the marinade can penetrate) and then rub the drumsticks with skins from a lime that has been juiced (reserve lime juice for later).

Chicken drumsticks and limes

Next remove the lime skins and add hot water to the drumsticks for around 45 seconds.

Chicken drumsticks in water in a glass bowl

The last step of the cleaning involves draining the hot water off and rinsing the chicken with cold water. That's it! Interesting and fun! 😃

2. Marinade The Chicken

Now it's time to add the most FANTASTIC marinade to your chicken! The marinade will consist of some Haitian epis, black pepper, bouillon cube, Adobo seasoning, lime juice, and let's throw in those lime skins as well.

Chicken drumsticks with seasoning on top for a marinade

Stir to combine everything and allow to marinate in your fridge for minimum of one hour, and up to overnight. I actually marinated my chicken for around 5-6 hours and I found that sufficient.

Chicken drumsticks in Haitian marinade

3. Cook The Chicken

After marinating, it's time to get the chicken on the stove! You will simply brown the drumsticks, then add chicken broth, onion, habanero pepper, red bell pepper, and tomato paste. Lastly bring to the boil, lower the heat, and cook covered for around 30 - 45 minutes until the chicken is tender and absolutely glorious.

Chicken drumsticks cooking in a cast iron skillet
Chicken drumsticks with sliced red pepper, habanero pepper, and diced onion
Haitian Chicken in a cast iron skillet

And now, your divine Haitian Chicken is ready to serve!!

What To Serve With Haitian Chicken

Haitian Chicken with Haitian rice and beans on a white plate

Haitian Chicken is best served with Haitian Rice and Beans! Great with fried plantain as well!

I do hope you will take the time to enjoy preparing and eating this Haitian Chicken dish! It just might become one of your favorites!

Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy!

Awesome Belizean Rice and Beans!

Belizean Rice and Beans in a bowl

How To Cook Delicious Belizean Stewed Chicken

Belizean Stewed Chicken

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Jwi manje ou! (Enjoy your food in Haitian Creole)

Grace

Haitian Chicken in a cast iron skillet in a savory red sauce with lime wedges and slices of red bell pepper.

How To Make Incredibly Delicious Haitian Chicken!

Grace
Absolutely bursting with flavor! This Haitian Chicken dish is totally worth taking the time to enjoy preparing it as well as eating it! This may become your new FAVE chicken dish!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Marinating Time 5 hours hrs
Total Time 5 hours hrs 55 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Haitian
Servings 3 people
Calories 469 kcal

Equipment

  • Cast iron pan with cover preferred, or large skillet with cover

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb chicken drumsticks
  • 1 lime juiced; reserve juice and lime skins
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1-3 Habanero peppers sliced; deseed if you prefer a less spicy dish; use 1-3 according to how you like your heat!
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup chicken broth low salt or unsalted is preferred
  • salt to taste

Marinade Ingredients

  • 2 ts black pepper
  • 1 bouillon cube Maggi is preferred!
  • ⅓ cup Haitian epis
  • 1 tablespoon Adobo seasoning use Goya if possible - cut this to ½ tablespoon if you are watching your salt

Instructions
 

Clean The Chicken

  • Start by removing as much skin from the drumsticks as possible. Make some cuts into the meat (this is so the marinade can penetrate) and then rub the drumsticks with skins from a lime that has been juiced (reserve lime juice for later).
    Chicken drumsticks and limes
  • Next remove the lime skins and add hot water to cover the drumsticks for around 45 seconds. Then drain the hot water off and rinse with cold water.
    Chicken drumsticks in water in a glass bowl

Marinade The Chicken

  • Add the Haitian epis, black pepper, bouillon cube, Adobo seasoning, lime juice, and lime skins to the cleaned and rinsed chicken. Stir to combine the ingredients as well as you can, cover, and allow to marinate in your fridge for a minimum of one hour and up to overnight. I marinated mine for 5-6 hours and that worked just great!
    Chicken drumsticks in Haitian marinade

Cook The Chicken

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet on medium high. Remove the chicken from the fridge, and brown the chicken in the hot oil. (All contents from the marinade including the lime skins should be added to the skillet at this time).
    Chicken drumsticks cooking in a cast iron skillet
  • Once the chicken is browned, add chicken broth, onion, habanero pepper, red bell pepper, and tomato paste. Stir to combine, and bring to the boil. Then lower the heat, and cook covered for around 30-45 minutes until the chicken is tender. Taste and add salt if you would like.
    Chicken drumsticks with sliced red pepper, habanero pepper, and diced onion
  • Your divine Haitian Chicken is now ready to serve!
    Haitian Chicken in a cast iron skillet

Notes

This recipe calls for Habanero peppers which are quite spicy.  If you do not like spicy food, feel free to leave this out.  If you want to enjoy some heat but not too much, you can deseed the peppers and of course vary the amount that you will use.
You actually can skip the "Cleaning The Chicken" step, BUT I highly recommend going through this step so you can enjoy the full experience of making Haitian Chicken.
Enjoy this with some Haitian Rice and Beans and fried plantains!
Cheers! Grace

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 39gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 186mgSodium: 644mgPotassium: 844mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1545IUVitamin C: 67mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Chicken, chicken drumsticks, haitian chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Neghie

    September 05, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    Love seeing people experience and actually cooking Haitian food these days I grew up eating it, but never really learned how to cook it. With Haitian mothers, they approach cook teaching this stuff like an apprenticeship. This recipe looks like it Che is out. I’ll try my hand at it and see what my mom thinks!

    Reply
    • Grace

      September 05, 2022 at 11:09 pm

      Hi there! Thank you so very very much for your comments. I can imagine that Haitian mothers are very serious about and take great delight in teaching Haitian cooking.❤️. If you do try this out I would be honored if you could let me know what you and your mom think about it! Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again Neghie! I hope you have a lovely week! Grace

      Reply
  2. Tonia Emmett

    May 01, 2023 at 8:21 pm

    5 stars
    I made it for the first time tonight. I marinated the drumsticks overnight—used the epis. It is so delicious!!! I became interested in Haitian cooking when two new teachers became my hall mates at the middle school where I teach. I told them I was bringing Haitian chicken and beans and rice for lunch tomorrow. Hope they love it as much as I do! Thank you for the recipe!!!

    Reply
    • Grace

      May 01, 2023 at 10:20 pm

      Hi Tonia! Oh my goodness I am so so delighted to hear that you loved the Haitian chicken! From the bottom of my heart thanks so much for taking a chance on this recipe and for taking the time to provide feedback. I truly hope that your hall mates enjoy the foods as well! Thank you again Tonia I'm truly grateful! Grace

      Reply

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Hi I’m Grace Stewart! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions!  Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go.  My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too.  

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Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

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