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Chicken Country Captain

If you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying Chicken Country Captain, then you are in for a real treat! This delicious recipe includes chicken, onions, garlic, peppers, raisins, almonds, and curry powder for a classic southern flavor combination.

A serving of chicken country captain over white rice on a serving plate.

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Chicken Country Captain is a delicious southern recipe that dates back to the early 19th century. It originated in the coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina, so if you are not from either of those states, you may have missed an opportunity to experience this incredible recipe. It’s a wonderful example of an “old school” southern dish with complex flavors that keep you coming back for more.

🥄 Craig Claiborne – Southern Cook Extraordinaire

The Chicken Country Captain recipe I’m sharing here is, with slight personal adaptations, Craig Claiborne‘s Country Captain recipe from his wonderful cookbook, Southern Cooking. Mr. Claiborne was a nationally known food writer for The New York Times and author of many cookbooks. He was born and raised in Mississippi and had a lifelong association with southern cooking, having learned the fundamentals in the kitchen of his mother’s boardinghouse.

If you love southern cuisine and don’t already have a copy of Southern Cooking, please try to find one straight away. Every recipe in it is familiar to me from my own experience with southern cooking and the stories of Mr. Claiborne’s growing up and learning to cook are just priceless.

Regarding Country Captain, Mr. Claiborne says:

“No one knows precisely the origin of the dish known throughout Georgia and much of the South as country captain. The theory is that it was introduced to the port of Savannah by the captain of a vessel that plied the spice route from India in the early 1800s.”

Makes sense to me. The combination of curry with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and garlic could easily have come from that part of the world.

A serving of chicken country captain over white rice on a serving plate.

❤️ Why You’ll Love this Recipe


  • It’s an important part of traditional southern foodways.
  • A lovely alternative to the usual chicken recipes.
  • It can be served with rice for a complete meal. Sides, other than perhaps a simple salad, are simply not necessary.
  • It’s a wonderful example of the sweet and savory combination that southerners often enjoy.

🍳 Equipment You’ll Need


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  • Cutting Board – this bamboo cutting board is cheap, durable, and made from renewable materials.
  • Knife – an absolute must-have for every cook is good knives.

🛒 Ingredient Notes


Ingredients needed for making the recipe.

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  • Raisins – Traditional recipes actually call for currants, not raisins. If you have currants, please do use them. Otherwise, raisins, either dark or golden raisins, are an acceptable compromise.
  • Chicken – My preference is to use a small frying chicken cut into eight pieces. However, all breasts or all thighs are perfectly fine. Whichever you choose, you’ll need a total of about three pounds.
  • Onion, green bell pepper, garlic – This combination of aromatic vegetables provides the base for the very flavorful sauce. 
  • Curry powder – I do realize that there is a wide range of curry powders available to cooks today. However, at the time this recipe originated, the selection was not so wide. For an authentic flavor from the time period, I recommend the widely available McCormick brand of curry powder.
  • Canned tomatoes – My preference is canned Roma (or plum) tomatoes. Others will suffice if those are not available.

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🔪 How to Make Chicken Country Captain


  1. Put the raisins into a small bowl with enough very hot tap water to cover them completely. Let them sit in the hot water and get nice and plump while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
  2. Prepare the chicken by salting and peppering it very well on both sides. Dredge it in flour and shake off the excess.
  3. Over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of the butter along with the oil in a skillet or Dutch oven large enough to fit all the chicken in a single layer. Brown the chicken on all sides. Remove it and set it aside.
  4. Pour out the cooking oil and wipe the skillet. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
  1. (continued) To the butter, add the onion, green peppers, garlic, and curry powder.
  2. Cook and stir the mixture until the vegetables are wilted. Add the tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture up to a boil and add the chicken pieces back to the pan. Cover and cook until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 20 minutes.
  3. When the chicken is cooked through, drain the water from the raisins and add them to the skillet.
  4. Serve with cooked white or saffron rice, toasted almonds, and chutney (if desired) on the side.
Finished recipe in a stainless skillet.

🔀 Substitutions & Additions


  • If you have currants available to you, feel free to use them in place of the raisins for an even more authentic recipe.
  • Replace the canned tomatoes with diced fresh tomatoes if you like. Fresh tomatoes should be “dead ripe.” In other words, they should be so ripe that you’re afraid they’ll go bad by tomorrow if you don’t use them right now 😊
  • Although green bell peppers are typical for this recipe, you can substitute red, orange, or yellow in their place. Keep in mind, however, that green bell peppers do have a distinctive flavor and although the other colors are delicious, they will change the flavor profile of the finished recipe.

🍽️ How to Serve


Chicken Country Captain is typically served over steamed white rice topped with toasted almonds and chutney on the side. If you’d like to offer a green vegetable, I’d suggest steamed broccoli or braised green beans.

🍚 Storage Information


Completely cooled leftovers may be stored in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Or freeze for up to two months. To reheat, warm over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating if frozen.

A serving of chicken country captain over white rice on a serving plate.

❓ Questions About Chicken Country Captain


Why is it called chicken country captain?

Because of the international trade influence at the ports of Savannah and Charleston during the early 1800s when this recipe originated, the name “country captain” probably came from the East India Company’s terminology used to refer to the captain of a “country ship,” meaning a vessel from India that traded in the Georgia-South Carolina coastal area.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of bone-in chicken for this recipe?

I prefer to use a bone-in, frying chicken for this recipe, but if chicken breasts are what you have on hand, you can easily substitute those. Keep in mind that this may impact the cooking time as breast meat cooks more quickly than dark meat. You can also use skinless chicken thighs.

Why do I have to soak the raisins?

It’s not absolutely crucial to soak the raisins, but it does give them a head start on becoming as plump and juicy as possible.

Lana Stuart.

Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

📖 Recipe

A serving of chicken country captain over white rice on a serving plate.

Chicken Country Captain

Chicken Country Captain is a classic southern recipe bursting with the flavors of onions, garlic, peppers, raisins, and curry powder!
5 from 6 votes
Print It Rate It Save
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Southern, Vintage
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 400kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • ½ cup raisins
  • 1 frying chicken (about 3 pounds, cut into serving pieces)
  • 1 cup flour
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 tablespoons butter divided
  • 2 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 large green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 2 cups canned tomatoes chopped

For serving:

  • Cooked rice
  • Toasted silvered almonds
  • Chutney optional

Instructions

  • Put the raisins into a small bowl with enough very hot tap water to cover them completely. Let them sit in the hot water and get nice and plump while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
  • Prepare the chicken by salting and peppering it very well on both sides. Dredge it in flour and shake off the excess.
  • Over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of the butter along with the oil in a skillet or Dutch oven large enough to fit all the chicken in a single layer. Brown the chicken on all sides. Remove it and set it aside.
  • Pour out the cooking oil and wipe the skillet. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, the onion, green peppers, garlic, and curry powder.
  • Cook and stir the mixture until the vegetables are wilted. Add the tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture up to a boil and add the chicken pieces back to the pan. Cover and cook until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 20 minutes.
  • When the chicken is cooked through, drain the water from the raisins and add them to the skillet.
  • Serve with cooked white or saffron rice, toasted almonds, and chutney (if desired) on the side.

Notes

  • Use currants in place of raisins for an even more authentic recipe.
  • Completely cooled leftovers may be stored in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Or freeze for up to two months. To reheat, warm over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating if frozen.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 400kcal | Carbohydrates 26g | Protein 21g | Fat 24g | Saturated Fat 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat 4g | Monounsaturated Fat 10g | Trans Fat 0.3g | Cholesterol 86mg | Sodium 196mg | Potassium 510mg | Fiber 3g | Sugar 4g | Vitamin A 501IU | Vitamin C 21mg | Calcium 47mg | Iron 3mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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— This post was originally published on November 3, 2010. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.

Chicken Country Captain is a true old South classic. Chicken, onions, garlic, peppers and curry powder with raisins and toasted almonds. https://www.lanascooking.com/chicken-country-captain/

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29 Comments

  1. One of my favorite dish to serve for company especially if they are not from the south. My family hails from SC and this has always been one of everyones favorite suppers.

  2. gabriella says:

    Hi! Lana. i like your article “chicken country captain”. I will try it as soon as possible.
    This is amazing and a different recipe and looks too sopecial.
    Thanks.

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Great, Gabriella! I hope you enjoy the recipe.

  3. I’ve been making a version of this dish for almost fifty years but it has been a couple of years since I’ve made it. My husband loves it! So I guess better get with it. Thank you for the reminder.

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      You’re welcome, Pat!

  4. Betty Ann @Mango_Queen says:

    Oh my goodness, your Chicken Country Captain just took my breath away and makes me want to go to the kitchen right now to get cooking. Your recipe sounds a lot like a dish my mom used to make for us when I was growing up. I must try yours. Glad I found the link to your delightful blog via Monica Bhide today. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Thank you, Betty Ann. This is a really old, traditional Southern recipe. Hope you enjoy it!

  5. Susan Daugherty says:

    This recipe looks and sounds great. However, like a few other bloggers I would have to leave out the raisins or currants. Can anyone think of a substitute for these? Everything looks like it would make a great vegetable dish. Thank you.

    1. Hi Susan, you could just leave out the raisins/currants and not substitute anything. It wouldn’t be true country captain, but it would still be a fantastic chicken dish.

  6. Rosie Slosek says:

    FYI – currants in this case are a kind of dried grape, just like raisins and sultanas.

    The kind that are berries come prefixed with ‘black’, ‘red’, ‘white’ etc.

  7. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    What a fantastic looking meal! I love almost anything Southern…it’s always hearty and full of soul :)

  8. Hi Lana!
    I made this last night and it turned out perfect!
    So good……so easy.
    I’m going to send you a box of currants! Can’t have you going without lol

    1. I’m so glad you made it and enjoyed it, Teri. Please do send the currants – we can’t get them anywhere around here!

  9. I’m happy to say after seeing this wonderful dish, I did some searching, and found a used, hardcover copy of Craig Claiborne’s Southern Cooking, on amazon Canada for $2.12. I certainly lucked out on the cost of the book as the next copy on the list, was almost $30. Many thanks for the heads up on the cookbook Lana!
    I’m looking forward to reading about & trying, the rest of the dishes you love so much!

    1. What a bargain, Jocelyn! If you enjoy southern food or are a fan of Craig Claiborne you’re going to really love that cookbook.

  10. well if, govenors, presidents, chefs, sea captains like it, this thing must be pretty tasty – actually, I have had this a few times, not a good sounding as your recipe…. I think most folks try to over-spice it….

  11. I am loosing my mind—Mary Beth Busby published it when her husband was govenor of GA.

  12. This was one of President F D Roosevelt’s favorite. The cook at his house in Warm Springs, GA was famous for it. It is featured in a recipe book that Mrs. George Busby published when her husband, George Busby was govenor of Georgia. I have never made it but know that it is a favorite among folks in this area of the country. I believe that it is usually served over rice. Looks wonderful.

  13. Bored Cook says:

    This looks wonderful, Lana. Never heard of it before but it looks perfect for the rainy and cold day we are having here today. Perfect comfort food dish I’m sure. Would you send some over?

    Pam

  14. Todd Stone says:

    Finally! This looks exactly like the country captain I used to get at Carr’s Steakhouse in Albany in the mid 80’s. It was so good. Since then, I have never seen it on a menu at a restaurant anywhere. You’ve inspired me to make it.

    1. Oh, my goodness! I haven’t thought about Carr’s in years. But didn’t they have the best menu!? Too bad it’s gone now along with so many great old places in Albany. Makes me sad.

  15. Jennifer @ Jane Deere says:

    This looks great! All of the flavors layered in this look like they would compliment the chicken really well. I have never had this, so I’m just going to have to make it. Thanks for sharing!

  16. Never had it before, but saw it on TV one day and MM and I said we needed to try that! This looks like the perfect recipe to go with!!!!

    1. Suzanne – If you try it, let me know how you like it!

  17. Cookin' Canuck says:

    What a pretty dish! Okay, I will admit that I have never had chicken country captain, but it looks as though it’s a “must try”.

    1. Dara – though I’m not at all familiar with Indian cuisine, I believe this would be akin to a chicken curry. Probably came to this area with a ship sailing the spice route in the late 1700s-early 1800s.

  18. I got my Country Captain recipe from James Beard when I was in High School – 35+ years ago. Went to a demonstration he did as a Field Trip. I’d never heard of him before that – but it was a great excuse to miss school for a day so I signed up. He showed us how to cut up a whole chicken and gave us the Country Captain recipe. I had not idea it was a Southern ‘thing’….just very yummy. My family has enjoyed it for many years. I have to admit – I leave out the raisins/currants – love the peppers, onions and spices – but personally I’m not a fan of cooked raisins. If I’m making something I don’t want to be tempted to eat – I leave the raisins in…but if I want to enjoy it – the raisins stay out. That’s one of the great perks of being ‘the cook’ in our home. I think we need to have this again – soon!

    1. Shenna – I’m going to have to look up Mr. Beard’s recipe. I’m sure it must be wonderful. He never did anything that was less than fantastic!