If you’re searching for a comforting, hearty meal that practically makes itself while filling your home with irresistible aromas, this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe will become your new best friend. Tender chunks of chicken thighs simmer slowly with a colorful medley of veggies, herbs, and a savory broth that thickens into a luscious, warming stew. It’s the perfect dish for busy days when you want wholesome nourishment waiting for you without the fuss, delivering tastes and textures that feel like a big, cozy hug in a bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its accessible, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a stew bursting with flavor, texture, and color. Each component plays a vital role, from the juicy chicken thighs providing rich protein to the vibrant vegetables offering natural sweetness and earthiness.
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs: These stay tender and juicy throughout the slow cooking process, adding rich flavor.
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced: They soak up the broth beautifully, thickening the stew as they cook.
- 3 large carrots, sliced: Add natural sweetness and a slight crunch to balance the dish.
- 2 celery stalks, sliced: Bring a fresh, aromatic note that lifts the stew.
- 1 medium onion, chopped: Builds a savory base flavor that’s essential for depth.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Adds warmth and a hint of pungency to round out flavors.
- 1 cup frozen peas: Stirred in at the end for color and a sweet pop of freshness.
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth: The stew’s soul, providing moisture and savory richness.
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste: Offers subtle acidity and helps deepen the stew’s color and flavor.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: A classic herb that complements poultry perfectly.
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary: Adds an earthy, woodsy fragrance that’s wonderful with chicken.
- 2 bay leaves: Infuse the broth slowly with subtle herbal undertones.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors without overpowering.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds just the right amount of mild heat.
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Used in a slurry to thicken the stew nicely.
- 3 tablespoons water: Helps create the flour slurry to achieve the perfect consistency.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: For searing the chicken, locking in flavor and color.
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish: Brightens the dish and adds fresh herbal notes.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season your chicken chunks generously with salt and pepper. Now, here’s the secret to deep flavor: sear each piece until it gets that beautiful golden crust, about 3 minutes per side. This step adds incredible richness and texture to the stew that you just can’t get by skipping it.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Transfer all the seared chicken pieces into your slow cooker. Toss in the chopped potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Pour in the chicken broth and stir in the tomato paste along with thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good mix so those flavors start mingling even before the slow cooking begins.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Pop the lid on and set your slow cooker to low for 7 to 8 hours, or if you’re short on time, crank it to high for 4 to 5 hours. Cooking slowly allows the chicken and vegetables to become tender and deliciously infused with all those herbs and savory broth notes.
Step 4: Thicken the Stew
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, whisk together the flour and water in a small bowl to create a smooth slurry. Stir this into your stew along with the peas, then cover again and cook until the stew thickens to a rich and satisfying consistency. Remember to remove the bay leaves before serving for the best taste.
Step 5: Final Seasoning and Garnish
Give your stew a quick taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top if you like that fresh, herbaceous burst to elevate the presentation and flavor. Your Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe is now ready to warm your soul!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley is a classic finishing touch that provides a lively green color and fresh taste contrast. You can also add a sprinkle of cracked black pepper or a dash of grated Parmesan for extra warmth. A tiny drizzle of good olive oil right before serving can bring silky richness as well.
Side Dishes
This stew shines on its own but pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth. Serving over fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes is another excellent choice, especially when you want a heartier meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For casual dinners, ladle the stew into rustic bowls with a sprig of parsley on top. If you’re entertaining, serve it in mini bread bowls or alongside a fresh, crisp green salad to balance the comforting richness. Adding a side of roasted Brussels sprouts or steamed green beans can introduce a fresh crunch and vibrant color.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool the leftover stew to room temperature before transferring to airtight containers. Stored in the fridge, it will stay fresh and tasty for 3 to 4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making the next-day meal even better.
Freezing
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe freezes beautifully! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some headspace as it will expand. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just beware of freezing if you have used dairy thickening agents, but the flour slurry here works well for freezing.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen stew overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, microwave individual servings on medium power, stirring halfway to heat evenly. If the stew thickened too much during storage, a splash of chicken broth or water will bring it back to the perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts will work fine but tend to be leaner and can dry out if cooked too long. Keep an eye on them or opt for shorter cook times on high to maintain juiciness in your Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe.
Is it possible to make this stew vegetarian?
Sure thing! Swap out the chicken for hearty mushrooms or plant-based meat alternatives and replace chicken broth with vegetable broth. The herbs and veggies will still create a flavorful and satisfying stew.
Can I prepare this recipe without searing the chicken?
You can skip searing, and the stew will still taste delicious. However, searing adds layers of caramelized flavor and a richer color, definitely worth the extra few minutes if you can.
What can I use instead of all-purpose flour to thicken the stew?
Cornstarch is an excellent gluten-free alternative. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water for a slurry, then stir it in at the same point in the recipe to thicken your stew.
Can I add other vegetables to this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe?
Yes! Feel free to throw in green beans, parsnips, turnips, or even sweet potatoes. Just remember to chop them similarly in size for even cooking and adjust cooking time if necessary.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe is a true gem for anyone who loves simple, soulful cooking with minimal effort but maximum flavor. It’s an all-in-one meal that brings warmth, comfort, and satisfaction, making it perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a bowl of home-cooked goodness. Grab your slow cooker, gather these ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a stew that’s as nourishing as it is delicious. You won’t regret it!
Print
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (on low)
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is a hearty and comforting dish packed with tender chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots, celery, and peas, all simmered in a flavorful broth enriched with herbs and tomato paste. Perfect for a cozy meal, it utilizes slow cooking to meld the ingredients into a rich, savory stew with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Protein
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
Vegetables
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 large carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Liquids and Seasonings
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Thickener
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons water
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken chunks with salt and pepper, then sear them for about 3 minutes per side until lightly browned. This step adds flavor and texture.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker. Add diced potatoes, sliced carrots, celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, tomato paste, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir everything well to combine.
- Slow Cook the Stew: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. The chicken and vegetables should become tender and flavors meld together beautifully.
- Thicken the Stew: About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together the flour and water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the stew along with the frozen peas. Cover again and continue cooking until the stew thickens slightly and the peas are cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaves, adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For added depth of flavor, deglaze the skillet with a splash of white wine after browning the chicken, and add the wine along with the other ingredients to the slow cooker.
- This stew pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or can be served over steamed rice for a more filling meal.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with cornstarch as the thickening agent.
