Description

This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Made with tender chunks of chicken, fresh vegetables, and fragrant herbs, it simmers slowly to develop rich flavors. The option to add cream or thicken with cornstarch allows you to customize the texture to your preference. Gluten-free and adaptable for dairy-free diets, this stew is both nourishing and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks

Vegetables

4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Flavorings

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Ingredients

1/4 cup heavy cream (for a creamier stew)
2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

Garnish

Chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Prepare ingredients: Cut the chicken into chunks. Peel and slice carrots; peel and dice potatoes; slice celery; chop onion; mince garlic. Having all ingredients prepped makes assembly easier.
Combine in slow cooker: Add chicken, carrots, potatoes, celery, onion, and garlic into the slow cooker. Stir in chicken broth, tomato paste, dried thyme, dried rosemary, paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine flavors.
Cook the stew: Cover the slow cooker. Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through. Slow cooking allows flavors to meld beautifully.
Thicken if desired: About 30 minutes before serving, if you prefer a thicker stew, stir in the cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) and cook uncovered. This will give your stew a pleasing thickness.
Add cream for richness: Just before serving, stir in the heavy cream if using, to create a creamy texture and richer flavor. This step is optional and can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
Final touches and serve: Remove the bay leaf from the stew. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve the stew warm for a cozy meal.

Notes

Using chicken thighs adds more flavor and keeps the meat tender, but chicken breasts work well if you prefer leaner meat.
The stew can easily be made dairy-free by omitting the heavy cream without sacrificing taste.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze beautifully for future meals.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
Calories: 350
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 520mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 100mg