Heartwarming Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe You Need Now

Cold days call for hearty slow cooker chicken stew that warms you from the inside out.

Nothing beats walking into a kitchen filled with rich, comforting aromas.

Tender meat and colorful vegetables simmer gently throughout the day, creating magic without much effort.

Home cooks know this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal preparation time.

Robust seasonings blend seamlessly, promising a meal that satisfies deep hunger and soothes weary souls.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques make this stew accessible for anyone wanting a delicious, stress-free dinner.

You’ll want to ladle this soul-warming creation into bowls and savor every delectable spoonful.

Reasons to Love Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Perfect for busy families and home cooks seeking delicious, minimal-effort meals.
• Slow cooker method allows you to toss ingredients together and walk away, returning to a fully cooked, hearty meal without constant monitoring.
• Uses affordable ingredients like chicken, root vegetables, and pantry staples, delivering restaurant-quality flavor at a fraction of the cost.
• Ideal for cold days, providing a nutritious one-pot solution that fills the kitchen with comforting aromas and satisfies hunger with minimal cleanup.

What Goes Into Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Chicken: Tender meat for the hearty stew's main protein source. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best for easy eating.

• Potatoes, Carrots, Celery, Onion, Garlic: Classic vegetable combination for depth of flavor and nutrition. Fresh, firm vegetables provide the best texture and taste.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for basic seasoning and enhancing overall flavor.
• Flour: Helps coat chicken and thicken the stew naturally.
• Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid base for the slow-cooked stew. Low-sodium options recommended for better control of salt levels.
• Tomato Paste: Adds rich, deep tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides umami and complex savory notes.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Classic herbs that complement chicken and vegetables perfectly.
• Bay Leaf: Adds subtle background flavor to the entire dish.

• Frozen Peas: Bright green vegetable for color and sweet taste. Added near the end to maintain texture.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds fresh color and light herb flavor to finish the dish.

How to Put Together Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Step 1: Prep and Season Chicken

Grab chicken pieces and shower them with salt and pepper. Roll the chicken in flour until completely coated, creating a delightful crispy exterior that will lock in amazing flavors.

• Chicken pieces
• Salt
• Black pepper
• All-purpose flour

Step 2: Layer Vegetable Foundation

Drop seasoned chicken into the slow cooker, then add a colorful mix of chopped vegetables that will create a robust base for the stew.

• Diced potatoes
• Sliced carrots
• Chopped celery
• Diced onion
• Minced garlic

Step 3: Create Liquid Magic

Whisk together a flavor-packed liquid blend that will transform simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal. Pour this magical mixture over the chicken and vegetables.

• Chicken broth
• Tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh rosemary
• Bay leaf

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and let it work its culinary magic. Low and slow cooking will tenderize the chicken and marry all the incredible flavors together.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken falls apart and vegetables are fork-tender.

Step 5: Add Fresh Green Brightness

Near the end of cooking, toss in vibrant green peas to add a pop of color and fresh texture to the stew.

Stir in frozen peas about 30 minutes before serving.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Pluck out the bay leaf and sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Ladle this comforting stew into deep bowls and watch everyone’s eyes light up with anticipation.

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Expert Tips for Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Flour Coating Trick: Lightly dust chicken pieces with flour to create a thicker, more luxurious stew sauce that helps seal in moisture and adds subtle richness.
• Herb Enhancement Strategy: Use fresh rosemary and thyme for more vibrant flavor compared to dried herbs, chopping them finely to release maximum aromatic oils.
• Vegetable Timing Technique: Add delicate vegetables like frozen peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain their bright color and crisp texture.
• Broth Depth Booster: Swap water with chicken broth to intensify the overall flavor profile, creating a more complex and satisfying stew base.
• Freezer-Friendly Tip: Store leftover stew in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator or freeze for 2-3 months, ensuring a convenient meal option for busy days.

How to Keep Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Fresh

• Store leftover chicken stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Pour stew into a pot, add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture, and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

What to Serve With Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Select robust red wines like Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon that complement the stew's rich, meaty flavors and stand up to its hearty texture.
• Choose malty amber ales or dark porters that echo the stew's warm, comforting profile and enhance its savory chicken and vegetable notes.
• Pair with crisp green salads featuring tangy vinaigrettes or citrusy herb dressings to cut through the stew's deep, warming qualities and add refreshing contrast.
• Serve alongside warm, rustic sourdough or crusty French bread to soak up the delicious broth and provide a delightful textural counterpoint to the tender chicken and vegetables.

Switch-Ups for Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Gluten-Free Chicken Stew: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend for coating chicken. Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce to ensure dietary compatibility.
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Swap chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and add extra protein-rich legumes like white beans for substance.
• Low-Sodium Version: Reduce salt content by using low-sodium chicken broth. Select fresh herbs instead of pre-packaged seasonings and control sodium levels through homemade seasoning blends.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Incorporate Mediterranean herbs like oregano and basil. Add kalamata olives and replace bay leaf with lemon zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty “slow cooker chicken stew” delivers comforting flavors that dance between rustic charm and home-style warmth. Tender chicken, rich vegetables, and aromatic herbs promise a satisfying meal that wraps you in culinary embrace.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks

Vegetables:

• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 3 cups chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the main protein by generously seasoning chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then delicately dust with a light coating of flour for enhanced texture and flavor.
2. Transfer the flour-coated chicken into the slow cooker, creating a hearty base layer, then strategically arrange diced potatoes, sliced carrots, chopped celery, minced onion, and crushed garlic for a robust vegetable foundation.
3. Craft a savory liquid foundation by whisking chicken broth with tangy tomato paste, umami-rich Worcestershire sauce, aromatic thyme, earthy rosemary, and a single bay leaf to develop complex flavor profiles.
4. Gently pour the herbal broth mixture over the layered ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and even distribution of seasonings throughout the slow cooker.
5. Secure the lid and allow the stew to simmer on low temperature for 6-8 hours or accelerate cooking on high setting for 3-4 hours, allowing ingredients to tenderize and meld together harmoniously.
6. Approximately half an hour before serving, introduce vibrant frozen peas to maintain their bright color and crisp texture.
7. Conclude the cooking process by carefully extracting the bay leaf and garnishing with freshly chopped parsley, presenting a rustic and inviting chicken stew ready to be savored.

Notes

• Ensure even coating by shaking chicken pieces in a sealed plastic bag with flour for uniform coverage.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help flour adhere better and create a light, crispy exterior.
• Use bone-in chicken thighs for richer flavor and more tender meat that won’t dry out during slow cooking.
• Add root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for extra depth and nutritional variety in the stew.
• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, using firm tofu or chickpeas instead of chicken.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium broth and controlling salt during seasoning stages.
• Enhance flavor by quickly searing chicken in a hot pan before adding to slow cooker for deeper caramelization.
• If watching carbohydrates, replace potatoes with cauliflower or turnips for a lower-glycemic alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 650mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 80mg