SLOW COOKER CHICKEN STEW PERFECTION

Imagine coming home after a long, chilly day to the comforting aroma of a hearty, flavorful stew. With this Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe, that dream can be your reality! This recipe is incredibly simple, packed with wholesome ingredients, and requires minimal effort – letting your slow cooker do all the hard work while you relax. Get ready to enjoy a bowl of pure comfort food that will warm you from the inside out!

Gathering Your Garden Goodness

Here’s what you’ll need to create this soul-satisfying stew. Don’t worry if you’re missing a few things; the beauty of stew is its adaptability!

For the Hearty Base:

• Chicken Thighs: 2 lbs, boneless, skinless (or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces). Thighs provide richer flavor!
• Yellow Onion: 1 large, chopped.
• Carrots: 2 cups, chopped.
• Celery: 1 cup, chopped.
• Garlic: 4 cloves, minced. The more, the merrier, I always say!
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: 2 lbs, peeled and cubed. They hold their shape beautifully in the slow cooker.

For the Flavor Boost:

• Chicken Broth: 6 cups. Low sodium is best so you can control the salt.
• Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons. Adds depth and richness.
• Dried Thyme: 1 teaspoon.
• Dried Rosemary: 1/2 teaspoon.
• Bay Leaf: 1. Adds subtle flavor. Remember to remove it before serving!
• Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (for searing, optional).

Optional Toppings (for extra yum!):

• Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish.
• Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop adds creaminess.
• Crusty Bread: For dipping and soaking up all that delicious broth.

Step-by-Step to Stew Sensation

Let’s get this easy slow cooker chicken stew recipe started! It’s so simple, you’ll be amazed at how little effort it takes to create such a flavorful meal.

Preparing the Ingredients:

1. Chop all your vegetables: onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Mince the garlic.
2. If using chicken thighs, cut them into 1-inch pieces (if they aren’t already).

Building the Flavor (Optional but Recommended):

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Sear the chicken in batches until lightly browned on all sides. This step adds a beautiful depth of flavor to the stew, but you can skip it if you’re short on time – it will still be delicious!

Slow Cooker Assembly:

1. Place the chopped onion, carrots, and celery in the bottom of your slow cooker. This creates a nice base for the chicken to sit on.
2. Add the minced garlic, potatoes, and seared chicken (or uncooked chicken, if skipping the searing step).
3. Pour in the chicken broth and stir in the tomato paste, dried thyme, and dried rosemary.
4. Add the bay leaf.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Slow Cooking Magic:

1. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be very tender and easily shreddable with a fork.

Finishing Touches:

1. Once the stew is cooked, remove the bay leaf.
2. Give the stew a good stir. If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the slow cooker.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. You might need a little more salt or pepper.

Serving and Enjoying:

1. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, if desired.
2. Don’t forget the crusty bread for soaking up all that amazing broth!

Why This Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe Works

So, what makes this particular CHICKEN STEW so special? It’s all about the combination of simple ingredients, slow cooking magic, and the flexibility to customize it to your liking. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a rich and complex taste that you just can’t achieve with quicker cooking methods. Plus, using chicken thighs adds an extra layer of flavor and keeps the chicken incredibly moist and tender.

Secret Ingredients for Next-Level Flavor

Want to take your slow cooker chicken stew to the next level? Here are a few of my favorite secret ingredients:

• A splash of Worcestershire sauce: Adds a savory umami flavor. Just a tablespoon or two will do!
• A pinch of red pepper flakes: For a subtle kick of heat.
• A squeeze of lemon juice: Brightens up the flavors at the end of cooking.
• A Parmesan rind: Added during cooking, it imparts a delicious cheesy depth (remove before serving).

Making it Your Own: Customization Options

The beauty of stew is that it’s incredibly adaptable! Feel free to swap out ingredients based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences.

• Vegetables: Add other vegetables like peas, green beans, corn, or mushrooms.
• Beans: Stir in a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or kidney beans for extra protein and fiber.
• Herbs: Experiment with different herbs like oregano, basil, or sage.
• Spice: Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.

Tips and Tricks for Slow Cooker Success

Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure your easy slow cooker chicken stew recipe turns out perfectly every time:

• Don’t overfill the slow cooker: Overfilling can lead to uneven cooking.
• Resist the urge to lift the lid: Each time you lift the lid, you release heat and increase the cooking time.
• If the stew is too watery: Remove the lid during the last hour of cooking to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. You can also whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking to thicken it.
• If the stew is too thick: Add a little more chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.

What to Serve With Your Chicken Stew Masterpiece

While this slow cooker chicken stew is delicious on its own, it’s even better when paired with the right side dishes. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Crusty bread: For dipping and soaking up all that delicious broth. I mentioned it before, but it’s worth repeating!
• A simple side salad: A light and refreshing salad provides a nice contrast to the richness of the stew.
• Cornbread: A classic pairing for any stew!
• Mashed potatoes or rice: For a heartier meal.

A Delicious Diversion: Stews That Resemble Soups

If you are in the mood for a stew-like soup, consider trying a CHICKEN LASAGNA SOUP! Its creamy, cheesy flavors will blow you away.

A Note on Storage and Leftovers

Leftover slow cooker chicken stew can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes well for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, simply microwave or simmer on the stovetop until heated through. Freezing is a great way to have a comforting meal ready when you’re short on time!

Beyond Stew: Other Chicken Soup Sensations

This Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe is a fantastic starting point, but don’t stop there! If you’re a fan of chicken soup, be sure to check out some of my other favorite recipes, like LEMON CHICKEN ORZO SOUP for a bright and tangy flavor, or maybe even some THAI CHICKEN SOUP MAGIC if you are feeling adventurous!

And let’s not forget about the classics! CREAMY ITALIAN CHICKEN SOUP and CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP always hit the spot.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Perfection

This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for a chilly day. Made with simple ingredients like chicken thighs, vegetables, and herbs, this recipe requires minimal effort and yields a hearty and satisfying stew that the whole family will love. Let your slow cooker do the work and come home to a delicious, home-cooked meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cups carrots, chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 6 cups chicken broth, low sodium
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil optional, for searing
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt optional, for topping

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Large skillet (optional)
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Ladle

Method

 

1. Prepare the ingredients: Chop the onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Mince the garlic. Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces if they aren’t already.
2. Optional: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Optional: Sear the chicken in batches until lightly browned on all sides. This step adds flavor to the stew, but can be skipped.
4. Place the chopped onion, carrots, and celery in the bottom of your slow cooker.
5. Add the minced garlic, potatoes, and seared chicken (or uncooked chicken, if skipping the searing step).
6. Pour in the chicken broth and stir in the tomato paste, dried thyme, and dried rosemary.
7. Add the bay leaf.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be very tender and easily shreddable with a fork.
10. Once the stew is cooked, remove the bay leaf.
11. Give the stew a good stir. If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the slow cooker.
12. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
13. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, if desired.

Notes

For a richer flavor, sear the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. If the stew is too watery at the end of cooking, remove the lid and cook on high for 30-60 minutes to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. Leftover stew can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2-3 months. A splash of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of red pepper flakes, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a Parmesan rind (removed before serving) can add a unique depth of flavor. Consider adding other vegetables like peas, green beans, corn, or mushrooms, or stir in a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or kidney beans for extra protein and fiber.