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
Scale
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.
