Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe
A hearty and comforting Slow Cooker Chicken Stew packed with tender chicken thighs, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a cozy meal, this stew requires minimal prep and slowly simmers to develop rich flavors, making it an easy and satisfying dish for any day of the week.
- Author: Nethan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-8 hours (depending on slow cooker setting)
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish, Stew
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to season
- Black pepper, to season
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 large potatoes, cut into ½-inch cubes (1 pound)
- 1 cup green peas, frozen
Liquids and Fat
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Prepare the Chicken: Place chicken thighs on a cutting board and cut into 1-inch pieces. Season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes, browning on all sides. This step adds depth of flavor by caramelizing the surface. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared chicken to the slow cooker. Add the flour, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and salt, stirring well to coat the chicken evenly with the flour and herbs.
- Add Vegetables and Broth: Mix in the minced garlic, diced onion, sliced carrots, and cubed potatoes. Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This slow cooking process tenderizes the chicken and infuses flavors throughout the stew.
- Finish with Peas and Milk: After cooking, stir in the frozen green peas and milk. Continue cooking on high for an additional 10-15 minutes until the peas are heated through. Adjust the stew’s thickness by adding more flour if too thin, or more chicken broth if too thick.
- Season to Taste: Taste the stew and add more salt and pepper as needed to suit your preferences.
- Serve and Store: Serve the stew hot for a delicious meal. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- To thicken the stew, mix a small amount of flour with cold water to make a slurry and stir it in, then cook for a few minutes until thickened.
- If your slow cooker has a removable pot that is stovetop safe, you can sear the chicken directly in it for easy cleanup.
- You may substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but thighs provide more flavor and tenderness.
- Frozen peas can be added directly without thawing.
- Adjust cooking times if your slow cooker runs hot or cold.
- This stew freezes well; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 230g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken stew, easy chicken stew recipe, healthy chicken stew, slow cooker dinner, comforting stew