There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm, hearty bowl of chicken stew that simmers all day, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas. This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe is an absolute favorite for busy days when you want rich, tender chicken and perfectly cooked vegetables without standing over the stove. With simple, wholesome ingredients and an easy process, this stew turns out velvety, flavorful, and just begging to be savored with loved ones. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become your go-to comfort food that’s as satisfying as it is straightforward to prepare.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each component in this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor and texture, ensuring every spoonful feels balanced and hearty. From fragrant herbs to creamy milk and fresh vegetables, these ingredients harmonize perfectly without any fuss.
- Olive oil: Helps brown the chicken, creating rich flavor through caramelization.
- Chicken thighs: Perfect for slow cooking thanks to their tenderness and ability to stay juicy.
- All-purpose flour: Coats the chicken to help thicken the stew naturally.
- Dried thyme: Adds an earthy, slightly minty note that complements chicken wonderfully.
- Dried rosemary: Provides a pine-like aroma and depth to the dish.
- Salt: Essential to enhance all the natural flavors throughout the stew.
- Garlic cloves: Brings a savory punch and aromatic foundation.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and texture to balance the vegetables.
- Carrots: Offer subtle sweetness and beautiful color.
- Potatoes: Bring heartiness and soak up the stew’s delicious broth.
- Chicken broth: Serves as the flavorful liquid base, tying all ingredients together.
- Bay leaf: Infuses a gentle herbal complexity while simmering.
- Milk: Stirred in at the end for creaminess and to mellow out the broth.
- Green peas: Introduce a pop of color and a hint of sweetness.
- Black pepper: Adds subtle heat and rounds out the seasoning.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by seasoning your chicken thigh pieces generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Proper seasoning at this stage boosts the flavor at every bite and ensures the meat isn’t bland once cooked.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and carefully brown the chicken pieces. This step locks in juices and creates a beautiful golden crust that adds rich, savory notes to the stew.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
In a bowl, toss the browned chicken with all-purpose flour, dried thyme, rosemary, and a pinch of salt. This coating helps create a velvety texture as the flour thickens the stew liquid during cooking.
Step 4: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Transfer the coated chicken to your slow cooker along with minced garlic, diced onion, sliced carrots, and cubed potatoes. Pour the chicken broth over everything and drop in a bay leaf for subtle herbal depth.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Set your slow cooker on low and let it work its magic for 7 to 8 hours. If you’re short on time, high for 3 to 4 hours works too, but the low setting really develops the flavors and tenderizes the chicken flawlessly.
Step 6: Add Final Touches
About 10-15 minutes before serving, stir in the frozen green peas and milk. This step adds freshness, creaminess, and lifts all the savory elements into a perfectly balanced stew. Finish by adjusting salt and pepper to your taste.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the stew into bowls and get ready for a soothing, warm meal that feels like a big hug in every bite. The blend of tender chicken, earthy vegetables, and creamy broth hits all the right notes any day of the year.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe
Garnishes
Brighten up the stew with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme leaves. A little swirl of sour cream or a dash of grated Parmesan can add an amazing creamy or cheesy finish that makes each serving special.
Side Dishes
Although this stew is hearty by itself, pairing it with warm crusty bread or buttery dinner rolls is perfect for soaking up the luscious broth. A crisp green salad or steamed green beans also offer a fresh contrast to the rich stew.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy, rustic presentation, serve the stew in individual ceramic bowls with a few sprigs of fresh herbs on top. You can also turn it into a pot pie by spooning it into puff pastry shells for an extra fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Flavors meld even more as it sits, making leftovers incredibly tasty.
Freezing
To freeze, allow the stew to cool completely, transfer it into freezer-safe containers, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for convenience on busy days.
Reheating
Reheat gently over low heat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. Stir occasionally to keep the texture smooth and prevent sticking. You may want to add a splash of broth or milk if it feels too thick.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
You can substitute chicken breast, but thighs stay juicier and more tender in slow cooking. Breast meat tends to dry out, so adjust cooking time accordingly if you choose to use it.
Do I need to brown the chicken first?
Browning adds fantastic flavor and texture to the stew, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this step. The stew will still be delicious, just slightly less rich.
Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize with celery, parsnips, or mushrooms for additional flavors and textures. Just keep the timing in mind for vegetables that cook faster.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, swap the milk for coconut milk or a dairy-free alternative to keep the creamy touch without dairy. It changes the flavor slightly but remains delicious.
How thick should the stew be?
The stew should be thick enough to coat a spoon but still pourable. If it’s too thin, continue cooking uncovered for a short time or add a slurry of flour and water to thicken.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe enough for anyone craving a fuss-free yet soul-satisfying meal. It’s the kind of dish that fills your home with warmth and welcomes people to gather around the table with happy hearts and full bellies. Give it a try — your cozy dinner nights just found their new star.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for a cozy meal. Tender chicken thighs are seared and coated with herbs and flour before slow cooking with vegetables and chicken broth, resulting in a flavorful, rich stew. The addition of milk and green peas towards the end adds creaminess and a pop of fresh color, making it a balanced and delicious slow-cooked meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to season
- Black pepper, to season
Vegetables
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 large potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 1 pound)
- 1 cup green peas, frozen
Liquids and Seasonings
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper evenly to ensure they are well-flavored before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides to develop flavor and color, about 3-5 minutes. This step locks in moisture and adds depth to the stew.
- Coat Chicken: In a mixing bowl, toss the browned chicken pieces with flour, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until they are evenly coated. This coating helps thicken the stew as it cooks.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the coated chicken, minced garlic, diced onion, sliced carrots, and cubed potatoes into the slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf, which will infuse the stew with a subtle aromatic flavor.
- Cook Stew: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Final Touches: Stir in the frozen green peas and milk. Continue cooking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes on low until the peas are heated through and the stew is creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaf, give the stew a final stir to blend all flavors, and serve hot for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a thicker stew, you can increase the flour coating or cook uncovered in the last hour to reduce liquid.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute the milk with coconut milk or an alternative plant-based milk.
- Using chicken thighs keeps the meat moist and flavorful compared to chicken breasts which can dry out in slow cooking.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like celery or parsnips for additional flavor and texture.
