What Is Chicken Souse?

Chicken Souse is a simple yet tasty Bahamian stew that highlights the island’s fresh ingredients and traditional spices. Unlike typical stews, Chicken Souse is a broth-based dish featuring bone-in chicken pieces simmered to perfection with potatoes, onions, lime, allspice, and hot peppers. It’s light yet warming, perfect for Bahamian mornings and beachside lunches.

In the Bahamas, “souse” refers to a type of broth-based dish usually made with chicken or other meats like pork or sheep’s tongue, seasoned and slow-cooked to infuse each ingredient with intense flavours.

How to Enjoy Chicken Souse Like a Local

Chicken Souse is best enjoyed with a few common side dishes that add flavour and variety. Here’s how to enjoy it like a Bahamian:

• With Johnny Cake: A traditional Bahamian bread, Johnny Cake is a dense, slightly sweet bread often served with Chicken Souse to soak up the delicious broth.
  
  

• Paired with Bahamian Hot Sauce: Many locals add a dash of Bahamian hot sauce, made with local peppers, for an extra layer of heat and flavour.
  
  

• Alongside Grits or Rice: A side of rice or creamy grits adds texture and can turn Chicken Souse into a more substantial meal.
  
  

• With Extra Lime: Many Bahamians like to squeeze additional lime over their Chicken Souse just before eating for an extra punch of citrusy freshness.

Where to Find the Best Chicken Souse in the Bahamas

Chicken Souse is widely available across the Bahamas. Many locals and tourists flock to Nassau’s Arawak Cay Fish Fry, where vendors serve freshly made Chicken Souse alongside other Bahamian specialties. Local cafes, roadside stands, and breakfast spots across the islands also offer Chicken Souse, often as a weekend breakfast special. For a truly authentic experience, seek out vendors who make their Chicken Souse fresh each morning, as Bahamians believe it tastes best when served piping hot and fragrant.

Tips for Trying Bahamian Chicken Souse

• Look for Fresh Ingredients: Chicken Souse tastes best when made with fresh chicken and lime. If possible, find a vendor who prepares it fresh for the best experience.
  
  

• Don’t Skip the Johnny Cake: The combination of Chicken Souse and Johnny Cake is a Bahamian classic, so be sure to try it together.
  
  

• Add Heat Carefully: If you’re not accustomed to spicy food, add Bahamian hot sauce in small amounts. A little goes a long way in enhancing the dish’s flavours without overpowering them.
  
  

• Enjoy It Hot: Chicken Souse is best enjoyed piping hot, as the flavors of the spices and lime come through more vividly.