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This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is the perfect meal for a cozy night in. With minimal prep time, this stew cooks all day, making it an easy and delicious dinner option. Add a side of crusty bread and you've got a complete meal that the whole family will love.
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Slow cooker chicken stew is a hearty and comforting meal that can be easily prepared with minimal effort. Using a slow cooker to make chicken stew allows the flavors to meld together over time, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish.
It also frees up time to attend to other tasks since the slow cooker does all the work.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. This recipe requires minimal prep time and the slow cooker does all the work, making it a hassle-free meal to prepare.
- Comforting and satisfying. The combination of tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and savory broth make this dish a filling and satisfying comfort food.
- Convenient. Using a slow cooker allows you to cook this dish all day while you attend to other tasks, making it a great option for busy weeknights or when you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.
- Leftovers. This recipe makes enough for leftovers, which can be enjoyed the next day for lunch or dinner. The flavors may even develop and become more intense as they sit, making it even more delicious the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- All-Purpose Flour: Used to coat the chicken and thicken the stew. It also adds a slight thickness to the broth.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a savory flavor to the stew.
- Dried Thyme: An aromatic herb that adds a warm, earthy flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the chicken and vegetables.
- Ground Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spicy note to the dish and complements the other flavors.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: They hold up well to slow cooking without becoming tough or dry.
- Chicken Broth: The base of the stew and adds a rich, savory flavor.
- Baby Potatoes: Adds a mild, earthy flavor and a creamy texture to the dish.
- Baby Carrots: Adds a vibrant orange color to the stew.
- Celery: Adds a subtle, fresh flavor.
- Onion: Adds a sweet, aromatic flavor.
- Peas: Add a slightly sweet flavor and a pop of green color to the dish.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1:
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
Step 2:
Place the chicken in the flour mixture. Toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the flour mixture.
Step 3:
Add the chicken broth, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion to the slow cooker. Stir everything together.
Step 4:
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Step 5:
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen peas.
Step 6:
Once the chicken and vegetables are tender, serve the stew hot and enjoy!
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are more flavorful and tender than chicken breasts and they hold up well to slow cooking.
- Coat the chicken in flour. Coating the chicken in flour helps to thicken the stew and adds a nice texture to the chicken. It also helps to seal in the moisture and flavor of the chicken.
- Season to taste. The seasoning in this recipe is just a guide, so feel free to adjust the salt, pepper, and thyme to suit your taste.
- Serve with crusty bread. Slow cooker chicken stew is perfect served with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
Variations
- Add different vegetables: You can mix and match the vegetables in this recipe to suit your preferences. Try adding mushrooms, bell peppers, or butternut squash for a different flavor and texture.
- Use a different protein: While chicken is the star of this recipe, you can use other meats like beef, pork, or lamb for a different flavor. You can also make this recipe vegetarian by using vegetable broth and adding more vegetables like sweet potatoes or parsnips.
- Spice it up: If you like your food spicy, you can add chili powder, cumin, or red pepper flakes to the recipe. Be sure to adjust the amount of spice to suit your taste.
- Add herbs: If you prefer a more herbaceous flavor, you can add fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, or parsley to the stew.
- Make it creamy: For a creamier stew, you can add a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk towards the end of the cooking time.
Storing
Storing: Allow the stew to cool to room temperature. Transfer the stew to an airtight container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Seal the container tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Recipe FAQ's
It's not recommended to freeze the stew with potatoes as they can become mushy upon thawing. However, you can freeze the stew without the potatoes for up to 3 months. To thaw the stew, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Once thawed, reheat the stew on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Yes, you can add wine to the stew for additional flavor. Use a dry white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, and add it in place of some of the chicken broth.
Yes, you can make this recipe on the stovetop. Follow the recipe as written, but instead of adding everything to the slow cooker, add the ingredients to a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring the stew to a simmer over medium-low heat and let it cook for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
While fresh vegetables will give you the best flavor and texture, you can use canned vegetables in a pinch. Just make sure to drain and rinse them before adding them to the stew.
If you want to thicken the stew, you can mix some cornstarch with cold water and add it to the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Alternatively, you can remove some of the vegetables and puree them in a blender, then stir the puree back into the stew.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-2” pieces
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound baby red potatoes cut into quarters
- 12 ounces baby carrots
- 4 stalks celery cut into 1” pieces
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the flour, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Place the chicken in the flour mixture. Toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the flour mixture.
- Add the chicken broth, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion to the slow cooker. Stir everything together.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen peas.
- Once the chicken and vegetables are tender, serve the stew hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are more flavorful and tender than chicken breasts and they hold up well to slow cooking.
- Coat the chicken in flour. Coating the chicken in flour helps to thicken the stew and adds a nice texture to the chicken. It also helps to seal in the moisture and flavor of the chicken.
- Season to taste. The seasoning in this recipe is just a guide, so feel free to adjust the salt, pepper, and thyme to suit your taste.
- Serve with crusty bread. Slow cooker chicken stew is perfect served with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are more flavorful and tender than chicken breasts and they hold up well to slow cooking.
- Coat the chicken in flour. Coating the chicken in flour helps to thicken the stew and adds a nice texture to the chicken. It also helps to seal in the moisture and flavor of the chicken.
- Season to taste. The seasoning in this recipe is just a guide, so feel free to adjust the salt, pepper, and thyme to suit your taste.
Serve with crusty bread. Slow cooker chicken stew is perfect served with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth. - Storing: Allow the stew to cool to room temperature. Transfer the stew to an airtight container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Seal the container tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Biana
This Chicken Stew looks delicious! A great supper for winter.
Kristen
This stew was super tasty and easy to make. Will make it again!
Jen
Interesting that you coat the chicken before putting in rather than thickening after. Love this idea!