Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe: Hearty Comfort in a Bowl

Slow cooker chicken stew crafts ordinary ingredients into a heartwarming culinary experience that speaks directly to comfort and satisfaction.

This remarkable dish captures the essence of home-cooked meals with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Tender chicken pieces mingle with robust vegetables, creating a symphony of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.

Rich, savory broths infuse every spoonful with deep, soul-satisfying warmth that feels like a gentle embrace.

Hearty and nutritious, this stew represents the perfect solution for busy individuals craving a wholesome meal without extensive kitchen preparation.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a versatile canvas for culinary creativity and personal interpretation.

Prepare to elevate your weeknight dining with a recipe that promises deliciousness and simplicity in every bite.

What You’ll Need for Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat with rich flavor, good for slow cooking and absorbing herbs and seasonings.
• Chicken Broth: Provides liquid base and enhances overall depth of flavor in the stew.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that adds foundational savory notes to the stew.
• Carrots, Potatoes: Hearty vegetables that provide texture, nutrition, and bulk to the dish.
• Frozen Peas: Adds bright color and sweet, fresh element to the finished stew.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing overall taste of the dish.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing chicken and adding a subtle richness.
• Flour: Helps thicken the stew and create a smooth sauce.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Fragrant herbs that complement chicken and add earthy undertones.
• Bay Leaf: Provides subtle background flavor during slow cooking.
• Milk: Adds creaminess and softens the stew's texture at the end of cooking.

How to Make Chicken Stew in a Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. Season thoroughly with salt and black pepper.

Step 2: Sear Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes, ensuring all sides are golden. Tip: If your slow cooker has a stovetop-safe pot, sear chicken directly in that pot.

Step 3: Coat Chicken with Seasonings

• Flour
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Salt

Stir until chicken is evenly coated with seasonings.

Step 4: Add Vegetables

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

Combine vegetables with seasoned chicken.

Step 5: Add Liquid and Cook

• Low setting: 7-8 hours
• High setting: 3-4 hours

Step 6: Final Touches

Stir in milk and frozen peas. Cook on high for 10-15 minutes until peas are heated through.

Step 7: Adjust and Serve

Fine-tune stew consistency by adding flour to thicken or broth to thin. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve piping hot and savor every spoonful!

Tips for Tender Chicken and Rich Broth

• Sear for Maximum Flavor: Brown chicken pieces thoroughly before slow cooking to develop rich, deep taste and caramelized exterior.
• Herb Selection Matters: Use fresh thyme and rosemary if possible for more vibrant, aromatic flavor profile compared to dried herbs.
• Potato Precision: Cut potatoes into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.
• Thickness Control: Keep extra flour and broth on hand to adjust stew consistency just before serving, creating perfect creamy or lighter texture.
• Pea Timing is Key: Add frozen peas at the very end to maintain bright color and prevent overcooking, ensuring they remain tender and fresh-tasting.

Storage and Reheating Tips to Keep It Tasty

• Storage
• Refrigerate leftover chicken stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep portions in sealed containers for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Ensure the stew cools completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating
• Thaw frozen stew overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth if the stew seems too thick. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated thoroughly. Check internal temperature reaches 165°.

What Complements Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Pair with Hearty Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais that complements the rich chicken stew without overpowering its delicate herb flavors.
• Crusty Bread Sidekick: Serve with a rustic sourdough or french baguette to soak up the savory broth and add delightful textural contrast to the tender chicken and vegetables.
• Fresh Green Salad Companion: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the stew's richness and provide a crisp, refreshing counterpoint to the warm, comforting dish.
• Crisp Apple Cider Beverage: Offer a chilled hard apple cider that brings subtle sweetness and acidity to balance the stew's hearty, herb-infused profile and enhance the overall dining experience.

Easy Ways to Change Up Your Chicken Stew Flavor

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace thyme and rosemary with oregano, basil, and a touch of lemon zest for a bright Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Add diced green chilies, chili powder, and cumin to transform the stew into a zesty southwestern-style dish with extra heat and complexity.
• Root Vegetable Upgrade: Swap potatoes with a mix of parsnips, turnips, and sweet potatoes for a more nutritious and colorful vegetable blend that adds depth to the classic stew.
• Creamy Mushroom Enhancement: Incorporate sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms and replace milk with heavy cream for a richer, more luxurious texture and earthy undertones.

Why Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Is Your Weeknight Savior

• Effortless One-Pot Comfort: This slow cooker chicken stew transforms mundane ingredients into a hearty, warming meal with minimal kitchen effort and cleanup.
• Rich Flavor Layering: Searing chicken first and using herbs like thyme and rosemary creates deep, complex taste profiles that develop beautifully during the long, slow cooking process.
• Flexible Cooking Convenience: The recipe offers versatile cooking options, allowing you to prepare the stew on low heat for 7-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours, perfect for busy schedules and different meal-planning needs.
• Nutrient-Packed Wholesome Meal: Packed with protein from chicken, vitamins from vegetables, and satisfying carbohydrates, this stew delivers a balanced, nutritious dinner that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty slow cooker chicken stew delivers comfort in a bowl, packed with tender chicken, root vegetables, and rich herbs from French countryside traditions. Satisfying warmth nestles between spoon and palate, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this soul-soothing culinary embrace.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 large potatoes, cut into ½-inch cubes (1 pound or 454 grams)
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• 6 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to season
• 1 bay leaf
• Black pepper, to season

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Instructions

1. Meticulously trim chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) cubes, ensuring even seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high temperature. Carefully sear chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes, rotating to achieve a golden-brown exterior that locks in robust flavors.
3. Transfer seared chicken into the slow cooker vessel, then dust with all-purpose flour, dried thyme, crushed rosemary, and an additional pinch of salt. Gently toss to create an even, herb-infused coating.
4. Incorporate freshly minced garlic, finely diced sweet onion, diagonally sliced carrots, and rustic potato cubes into the slow cooker. Thoroughly mix ingredients to distribute flavors and textures.
5. Pour low-sodium chicken broth over the mixture, then nestle a fragrant bay leaf into the stew. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow contents to simmer on low setting for 7-8 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes tender and vegetables soften.
6. In the final cooking stage, gently fold in whole milk and frozen green peas. Continue cooking on high for 10-15 minutes until peas are heated through and stew reaches desired consistency.
7. Perform a final taste evaluation, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and cracked black pepper as needed. If stew appears too thin, sprinkle extra flour; if too thick, introduce small amounts of broth.
8. Ladle into warm ceramic bowls and serve immediately, garnishing with fresh herb sprigs for an elevated presentation.

Notes

• Searing chicken before slow cooking locks in rich, deep flavors and creates a beautiful golden-brown exterior that enhances the overall taste profile of the stew.
• Coating chicken with flour helps thicken the sauce naturally and creates a silky texture that makes the stew more satisfying and hearty.
• Cooking on low heat for 7-8 hours allows ingredients to slowly meld together, developing complex, comforting flavors that transform simple ingredients into a delicious meal.
• Adding milk and frozen peas near the end of cooking prevents overcooking and maintains their fresh, vibrant taste and perfect tender-crisp texture.
• Using chicken thighs instead of breast meat ensures the stew remains incredibly moist and prevents the meat from becoming dry or tough during long cooking times.
• Flexibility in cooking time and temperature makes this recipe adaptable to different schedules, allowing you to prepare a warm, nourishing meal with minimal hands-on effort.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg