Slow Cooker Chicken Stew: Comfort in a Bowl

There’s something undeniably comforting about a hearty, slow-cooked chicken stew. When the weather turns cold or when you’re craving a wholesome meal, this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is the answer. Filled with tender chicken, savory herbs, and a medley of vegetables, this stew offers warmth, comfort, and incredible flavor in every bite. Best of all, using a slow cooker means you can set it, forget it, and come home to a delicious meal ready to be served.

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🛒 Ingredients

This stew is made with simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a nourishing and flavorful dish:

For the Chicken Stew:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil: Used to sear the chicken and develop rich flavor.
• 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces: Chicken thighs are perfect for slow-cooking because they become incredibly tender and flavorful over time. If you prefer, you can use chicken breasts, but thighs tend to be juicier in a slow-cooked dish.
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour: The flour helps thicken the stew, giving it that hearty texture we all love.
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme: Adds a warm, earthy flavor to the stew.
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary: Rosemary brings a fragrant, woodsy aroma that complements the chicken beautifully.
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to season: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients in the stew.
• 6 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic adds a deep, savory flavor.
• 1 onion, diced: Onions provide a sweet and savory base for the stew.
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced: Carrots add a touch of sweetness and color to the stew.
• 2 large potatoes, cut into ½-inch cubes (1 pound): Potatoes make the stew hearty and filling, soaking up all the flavors of the broth and herbs.
• 3 cups chicken broth: The liquid base of the stew, chicken broth adds a rich, savory depth of flavor.
• 1 bay leaf: A bay leaf adds subtle earthy and herbal notes that round out the flavors of the stew.
• ½ cup milk: Milk adds creaminess to the stew, giving it a velvety texture.
• 1 cup frozen green peas: Peas add a burst of color and sweetness to the dish.
• Black pepper, to season: Adds a touch of heat and balances the flavors.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Let’s break down the steps to create this delicious slow cooker chicken stew.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Dice the chicken: Begin by placing your chicken thighs on a cutting board and cutting them into 1-inch pieces. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. This step helps to enhance the flavor of the chicken as it cooks.
2. Sear the chicken: In a large skillet, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes, allowing it to brown on all sides. Note that you don’t need to cook the chicken all the way through at this point; you’re just searing it to lock in the juices and add flavor. If your slow cooker has a removable stovetop-safe pot, you can use it to sear the chicken directly on the stovetop before returning it to the slow cooker base.Why sear the chicken? Searing the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker builds flavor and helps the chicken hold its shape during the long cooking process. The caramelization that occurs during searing adds a depth of flavor that you wouldn’t get from raw chicken alone.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

1. Coat the chicken: Once the chicken is seared, transfer it to the slow cooker. Sprinkle the chicken with 3 tablespoons of flour, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir everything together until the chicken is well coated in the flour and herbs. This coating will help thicken the stew as it cooks.
2. Add garlic and vegetables: Now, add the minced garlic, diced onion, sliced carrots, and cubed potatoes to the slow cooker. Stir to combine everything. These vegetables will soften and absorb all the flavors as they cook, making the stew hearty and satisfying.Tip: You can add other vegetables to the stew if you like. For example, celery, parsnips, or sweet potatoes would make great additions. Just keep in mind that certain vegetables, like zucchini or bell peppers, might become too soft if cooked for too long, so it’s best to add them later in the cooking process.

Step 3: Add the Broth

1. Pour in the broth: Once all the vegetables are in the slow cooker, pour in 3 cups of chicken broth. The broth acts as the base of the stew, adding moisture and flavor as it cooks. Make sure all the ingredients are submerged in the broth.
2. Add the bay leaf: Drop a bay leaf into the slow cooker. The bay leaf will add an extra layer of earthy flavor as the stew simmers. Just remember to remove it before serving.

Step 4: Slow Cook

1. Cover and cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The long, slow cooking process allows the chicken to become tender and the flavors to meld together. The vegetables will soften, and the broth will thicken into a rich stew.Why slow cook? Slow cooking is perfect for dishes like this stew because it allows the ingredients to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in tender chicken and perfectly cooked vegetables. It also gives the herbs and spices plenty of time to infuse their flavors into the dish.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches

1. Stir in the peas and milk: Once the stew has finished cooking, stir in 1 cup of frozen green peas and ½ cup of milk. The peas add a pop of color and a touch of sweetness, while the milk gives the stew a creamy texture. Cook the stew on high for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the peas are warmed through.Adjusting the consistency: At this point, you can also adjust the thickness of the stew. If it’s too thin, you can stir in a bit more flour to thicken it up. If it’s too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it up to your desired consistency.

Step 6: Season and Serve

1. Taste and adjust: Before serving, taste the stew and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt and pepper if necessary to suit your taste.
2. Serve hot: Ladle the stew into bowls and serve it hot. This stew is perfect on its own, but you can also serve it with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a more substantial meal.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is a complete meal in itself, but if you’re looking to round out the dish, here are a few serving suggestions:

1. Crusty Bread: Serve the stew with a slice of crusty bread or a dinner roll to soak up all that delicious broth.
2. Rice or Mashed Potatoes: If you want to make the meal even heartier, serve the stew over a bed of rice or mashed potatoes. The creamy stew pairs beautifully with these starchy sides.
3. Fresh Salad: Balance the richness of the stew with a light, fresh salad on the side. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette would be a great contrast to the savory flavors of the stew.
4. Biscuits: Warm, fluffy biscuits are another great accompaniment to this stew. They can be used to scoop up the stew or eaten on the side.

📝 Tips and Tricks

To make sure your chicken stew turns out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:

1. Don’t Skip the Searing: Searing the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker is key to developing flavor. While it’s tempting to skip this step, the caramelization that occurs during searing adds a depth of flavor that you won’t get if you simply add raw chicken to the slow cooker.
2. Layer the Ingredients: When adding ingredients to the slow cooker, layer them in a way that ensures even cooking. Start with the meat, then add the vegetables, and finally pour in the broth. This helps to distribute the flavors evenly throughout the stew.
3. Adjust the Seasonings: The seasoning in this stew is simple but effective. However, feel free to adjust the thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper to suit your taste. If you like a little heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
4. Experiment with Vegetables: Don’t be afraid to switch up the vegetables in the stew. Root vegetables like parsnips, turnips, or rutabaga work well in this dish. You can also add leafy greens like spinach or kale at the end of cooking for a boost of color and nutrition.
5. Make it Creamy: For an even creamier stew, you can add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half along with the milk. This will give the stew an extra rich and velvety texture.
6. Freezing the Stew: This stew freezes beautifully, making it a great option for meal prep. Simply let the stew cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the stew in the fridge overnight and warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave.

🥄 Variations

This slow cooker chicken stew recipe is incredibly versatile. Here are a few variations you can try:

1. Chicken and Dumplings: Add some homemade or store-bought dumplings to the stew during the last hour of cooking for a comforting chicken and dumplings twist.
2. Herbed Chicken Stew: Switch up the herbs in the recipe by using fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley. Fresh herbs will add a brighter flavor to the stew.
3. Spicy Chicken Stew: Add a kick of heat by stirring in a teaspoon of smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or a diced jalapeño pepper.
4. Creamy Mushroom Chicken Stew: Add sliced mushrooms to the stew along with the other vegetables. The mushrooms will add a rich, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the chicken and herbs.
5. Lemon Chicken Stew: For a bright, zesty twist, add the juice of one lemon and a handful of chopped fresh parsley to the stew just before serving.

🥘 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Prepare: The slow cooker does most of the work for you, so you can set it and forget it. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
• Wholesome and Hearty: This stew is packed with protein, vegetables, and hearty potatoes, making it a satisfying and nourishing meal.
• Versatile: The recipe is easy to customize to your taste preferences. Swap out the vegetables, adjust the seasonings, or add a splash of cream for a richer stew.
• Meal Prep Friendly: This stew makes great leftovers and can be easily frozen for future meals.

With this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew, you’ll have a warm, comforting meal waiting for you at the end of a long day. The tender chicken, flavorful broth, and hearty vegetables make this stew a go-to recipe for anyone who loves a good, home-cooked meal.