Easy Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe for Cozy Nights

Comfort meets convenience in this hearty slow cooker chicken stew that promises to warm your soul on chilly evenings.

Cold days call for something deeply satisfying and packed with flavor.

Tender chicken pieces mingle with colorful vegetables, creating a robust and nourishing meal.

Each spoonful delivers rich, aromatic goodness that feels like a culinary hug.

The slow cooking process allows ingredients to blend seamlessly, developing deep, complex flavors.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, transforming into a delightful one-pot wonder.

This stew offers a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and savory seasonings that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to savor every comforting bite of this classic, homestyle dish.

Why Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Is A Comfort Food

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• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy chilled or at room temperature, making this dessert adaptable for various serving preferences and occasions like birthdays, dinner parties, or weekend gatherings.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that becomes succulent and flavorful when slow-cooked with herbs and spices.

• Garlic, Onion: Provide a robust and deep flavor foundation for the stew.
• Carrots, Potatoes: Add hearty texture and natural sweetness to the dish.

• Chicken Broth: Creates a rich and savory base for the stew's liquid.
• Milk: Adds creaminess and smooths out the overall flavor profile.
• Frozen Peas: Bring a fresh, bright green color and light sweetness to the stew.
• Bay Leaf: Contributes a subtle, earthy background note.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the stew and provides a light coating for the chicken.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Classic herbs that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the dish's taste.

• Olive Oil: Helps brown the chicken and adds a mild, fruity undertone.

Clear Instructions For Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Step 1: Brown the Chicken

Grab chicken thighs and generously sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium flame.

Sear chicken pieces until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust, which takes about 5-7 minutes. You want the outside crispy and caramelized, but not completely cooked through.

Step 2: Create Flavor Coating

• Flour
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Salt

Thoroughly coat the browned chicken pieces with this fragrant mixture, ensuring even coverage.

Step 3: Build the Slow Cooker Base

Transfer seasoned chicken into your slow cooker.

• Minced garlic
• Diced onion
• Sliced carrots
• Cubed potatoes

Pour chicken broth over everything and toss in a bay leaf for extra depth of flavor.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover and let the magic happen.

Cook on low setting for 6-7 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when chicken becomes meltingly tender and vegetables are completely soft.

Step 5: Final Flavor Boost

Thirty minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf. Stir in milk and frozen peas.

Continue cooking until peas are warmed through, about 20-30 minutes.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Ladle the rich, comforting stew into bowls.

Enjoy the warm, satisfying meal that brings everyone together.

Helpful Tips To Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Brown the chicken first to develop deep, rich flavors that will elevate the entire stew's taste profile.
• Add frozen peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking to maintain their bright color and crisp texture.
• Use flour coating on chicken as a natural thickener, creating a more luxurious and silky sauce without extra steps.
• Swap dried thyme and rosemary with fresh herbs for a more vibrant and aromatic stew – use half the amount of fresh herbs compared to dried.
• Replace whole milk with unsweetened almond or coconut milk for a dairy-free version that still provides creamy richness.

Creative Twists To Try With Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Vegetarian Hearty Stew: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, cubed and pan-fried for similar texture. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a complete plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Swap wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend for coating. Ensure all ingredients like broth are certified gluten-free to prevent cross-contamination.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Substitute thyme and rosemary with oregano, add kalamata olives, and include diced zucchini. Finish with crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Protein Stew: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets, use fewer carrots, and increase protein content by adding extra chicken or incorporating chopped bacon during initial browning stage.

Best Pairings To Serve With Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Pair with Rustic Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir or Côtes du Rhône to complement the hearty chicken stew's rich flavors and warmth.
• Serve with Crusty Artisan Bread: Select a hearty sourdough or rustic French bread to soak up the delicious stew broth and add textural contrast.
• Create Fresh Herb Salad: Toss mixed greens with light vinaigrette featuring fresh parsley, dill, and lemon to cut through the stew's richness and provide a bright, crisp side dish.
• Match with Crisp Craft Beer: Select a wheat beer or light amber ale to balance the stew's robust profile and enhance the meal's comfort food experience.

Tips To Store Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Fresh

• Store leftover chicken stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place stew in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until warmed through to 165°F.

FAQs

• Is it okay to use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breast, but chicken thighs are more flavorful and tender. Just be careful not to overcook, as breast meat can dry out more quickly.

• Can I make this stew without a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Use a large Dutch oven or heavy pot. Brown the chicken, add ingredients, and simmer on low heat for about 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

• How can I thicken the stew if it's too runny?

Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will help create a thicker, more robust consistency.

• Are there any protein alternatives for this recipe?

You can replace chicken with beef chuck roast or lamb shoulder.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty slow cooker chicken stew brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Rich layers of tender chicken, robust vegetables, and savory herbs create a soul-warming meal that connects you with home-style cooking in every delicious spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 large potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (1 pound)
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• 6 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to season
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup milk

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Instructions

1. Elevate chicken thighs with a robust seasoning blend, creating a golden exterior through careful searing in olive oil over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until exterior develops a crisp, caramelized texture.
2. Craft a fragrant spice mixture combining flour, thyme, rosemary, and salt, meticulously coating the browned chicken to enhance flavor complexity and create a delicate thickening agent.
3. Strategically layer ingredients in the slow cooker, arranging seared chicken alongside aromatic garlic, sweet onions, hearty carrots, and substantial potato cubes, then introduce chicken broth and a singular bay leaf for depth.
4. Allow slow cooker to transform ingredients, maintaining low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, ensuring chicken becomes supremely tender and vegetables achieve perfect doneness.
5. Introduce final flavor enhancements 30 minutes before completion by removing bay leaf, incorporating milk and vibrant green peas, gently simmering to integrate ingredients and warm frozen vegetables.
6. Present the rustic stew in warm bowls, offering a comforting, farm-to-table dining experience that celebrates slow-cooked, wholesome ingredients.

Notes

• Enhance chicken flavor by marinating thighs in herbs and spices for 30 minutes before browning, allowing deeper taste penetration.
• Select bone-in chicken thighs for richer, more succulent stew texture, as bones contribute additional depth and moisture during slow cooking.
• Customize stew consistency by adjusting liquid volume – add extra broth for thinner stew or reduce liquid for thicker, heartier version.
• Create gluten-free variation by substituting regular flour with cornstarch or almond flour, maintaining same coating technique for chicken.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg