Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe
If you’re looking for a recipe that practically cooks itself while filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas, let me introduce you to Slow Cooker Chicken Stew. Packed with juicy chicken, colorful veggies, and a savory herb-infused broth, this stew is the ultimate cozy meal for busy families or anyone craving comfort food without fuss. It’s hearty, wholesome, and impossibly easy — the kind of dish you’ll want to revisit all season long.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This list may look simple, but each ingredient has a starring role in Slow Cooker Chicken Stew. From the tender chicken to the garden-fresh vegetables and warm, fragrant herbs, every element contributes a unique layer of flavor, hearty texture, or bright color that makes this stew so special.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: These offer rich flavor and stay juicy through long, slow cooking.
- Carrots: Sweet and colorful, they add both vibrance and natural sweetness to the stew.
- Potatoes: They soak up the flavors and bring satisfying heft to every spoonful.
- Celery: Offers a gentle crunch and aromatic undertones that round out the vegetable base.
- Yellow Onion: Classic in stews, it melts into the broth for subtle sweetness and depth.
- Garlic: Adds that cozy, savory punch that makes any stew feel homemade.
- Diced Tomatoes with Juice: The tomatoes give a gentle acidity and a splash of color, plus extra juiciness.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: The flavor foundation, ensuring each bite is rich but not overly salty.
- Dried Thyme: Earthy herbal notes that pair beautifully with chicken and vegetables.
- Dried Rosemary: Bold, piney flavor that makes the stew unmistakably comforting.
- Bay Leaf: An old-fashioned touch that infuses the broth with gentle, savory fragrance.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for bringing out the flavors of every ingredient.
- Cornstarch mixed with Water (optional): This quick slurry thickens the stew for a truly hearty consistency.
- Frozen Peas: Stirred in at the end, they offer sweet pops of green and freshen up the whole pot.
- Fresh Parsley: A vibrant, herbal garnish that brings just the right finishing touch.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Step 1: Load Up the Slow Cooker
Begin by adding the chicken thighs (already cut into bite-sized chunks), carrots, potatoes, celery, onion, and minced garlic into your slow cooker. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with all that juicy goodness, followed by the chicken broth. Scatter in the thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, and season generously with salt and pepper. A gentle stir combines everything and sets the stage for major flavor magic as it cooks.
Step 2: Let It All Simmer
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook — either on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for about 4 to 5 hours. As the hours tick by, the chicken will become fall-apart tender and the vegetables melt-into-your-mouth delicious. It’s the sort of hands-off cooking we all dream about on a busy weeknight.
Step 3: Thicken and Brighten
If you like your stew extra thick and hearty, stir together the cornstarch and water to make a quick slurry. About 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf and mix in the slurry, along with the frozen peas. The stew will thicken and the peas will cook perfectly — still vibrantly green and bursting with flavor.
Step 4: Taste and Finish
Give the stew a taste and adjust the seasoning as you like. Sometimes just a pinch more salt or a turn of freshly ground pepper is all it takes to make the flavors sing. Serve your Slow Cooker Chicken Stew piping hot, sprinkled with plenty of fresh parsley for that extra hit of color and freshness.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley on top isn’t just for looks — it adds a burst of herbal aroma that wakes up all the flavors in the pot. If you’re a fan of a little zing, a squeeze of fresh lemon just before serving can brighten the dish even more. For a different twist, try topping each bowl with a grating of Parmesan or a drizzle of quality olive oil.
Side Dishes
This stew is so flavorful and hearty, it could easily stand alone, but pairing it with something simple like warm crusty bread or tender dinner rolls is always a good idea. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette offers a nice contrast to the rich stew, while a side of steamed rice or fluffy couscous makes it ultra-satisfying on the hungriest of days.
Creative Ways to Present
For family gatherings or casual entertaining, serve your Slow Cooker Chicken Stew in deep bowls with a basket of homemade biscuits on the side. You can also ladle it over creamy mashed potatoes for a stick-to-your-ribs meal, or present it in hollowed-out bread bowls for a fun and rustic touch. If you want to impress guests, try serving individual portions in mini cocottes or ramekins, garnished to the nines.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover Slow Cooker Chicken Stew cool to room temperature before storing. Transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator — it will stay delicious for up to 4 days. That means lunches are sorted, and some say the flavors deepen even more overnight.
Freezing
This stew is a champion freezer meal. Pack cooled portions into freeze-safe containers, leaving just a little space for expansion. Pop them in the freezer and you’ll have a comforting meal ready to go for up to 3 months! Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best texture.
Reheating
Whether you’re reheating from the fridge or after thawing, just pour the stew into a saucepan and warm it gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if it looks a bit thick. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through to heat evenly.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work just fine in this recipe, but keep in mind they tend to be leaner and can become a bit drier after long, slow cooking. Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender, making them my preferred choice for Slow Cooker Chicken Stew.
Is it okay to add more vegetables?
Yes, please make this stew your own! Chopped green beans, bell peppers, or corn are delicious tweaks. If you add quick-cooking veggies, wait until the last hour so they don’t get too soft.
How do I thicken the stew if I skip the cornstarch?
If you’re avoiding cornstarch, you can mash a few of the cooked potatoes right in the pot and stir them back into the stew. This natural thickener works wonders and keeps the texture satisfying.
Can I cook Slow Cooker Chicken Stew overnight?
Definitely! Set your slow cooker on low before you head to bed — you’ll wake up to the lovely aroma of home-cooked stew, ready for lunch, dinner, or even to portion out for meal prep.
Is Slow Cooker Chicken Stew gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, provided you use gluten-free chicken broth and check that any store-bought seasonings or add-ins are safe. It’s a great option for just about everyone at the table.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re inspired to scoop up a big bowl of homemade Slow Cooker Chicken Stew. It’s a truly comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that couldn’t be simpler — perfect for cozy nights or make-ahead meals. Give it a try, and I’m sure it’ll become a staple in your kitchen just as it has in mine!
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Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is a hearty and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken, vegetables, and flavorful herbs simmer together in the slow cooker for a delicious dish that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Chicken Stew:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Place the chicken, carrots, potatoes, celery, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper into a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cook the Stew: Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the chicken is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Thicken the Stew: About 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf and stir in the cornstarch slurry if you want a thicker stew. Add the frozen peas and stir well.
- Finish and Serve: Cover and cook for the remaining time until peas are heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, sear the chicken and sauté the onions and garlic before adding to the slow cooker.
- You can substitute sweet potatoes for regular potatoes, or add green beans or corn for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
