On a wintry day, a comforting and creamy stew can be just the thing to warm you up and nourish you from within. This classic southern chicken stew recipe is easy to prepare and packed full of nutritious vegetables, potatoes and chicken for optimal enjoyment!
Brown the chicken and saute the vegetables until softened, before stirring in flour and simmering to thicken the broth. Add chicken, potatoes, and red pepper for a tasty meal that is sure to please any crowd!
1. Chicken and Green Beans
Classic Southern stew perfect for rainy days – easy and flavorful enough for home preparation! A wonderful comfort dish you can make right away.
This recipe adds an innovative spin to classic chicken stew by substituting smoked turkey bacon for pork in this dish, not only adding extra layers of flavor but also decreasing overall fat levels in this recipe.
Green beans add an abundance of essential vitamins A and C, folic acid and fiber – not to mention antioxidants! Before including green beans in your meal plan, be sure to snap their ends rather than cutting or chopping them, so they stay crisp-tender. Also remember to cook until the very end for optimal results!
2. Chicken and Potatoes
In this easy yet flavorful chicken thigh dish, boneless skinless chicken thighs work best as they remain firm when simmering in a flavorful broth. But feel free to experiment by using boneless skinless breasts or even an entire rotisserie chicken instead!
This recipe requires more effort, but is still relatively quick and straightforward. Browned chicken pieces are cooked in a hearty stew of potatoes, vegetables and cream for extra richness.
This classic Southern chicken and gravy dish combines pan seared chicken pieces with rich, creamy gravy flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg to add extra depth of flavor. Serve this meal to impress guests when entertaining!
3. Chicken and Vegetables
Braising chicken carcasses before separating its meat creates a rich and flavorful chicken stock, with additional flavors intensified as it reduces. Re-introducing skin, bones and cartilage back into the stock only intensifies it further.
If you don’t have time to spend boiling and reducing a whole chicken, why not opt for store-bought rotisserie chicken instead? Simply add it at the end of your cooking time so it stays juicy while also providing flavor! This option saves both time and effort when compared to traditional methods of preparation!
Stir in one cup of frozen peas or green beans for added color and texture, garnish with chopped parsley or paprika, and serve with saltine crackers for an easy family dinner that is both healthy and comforting. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for three to four days and can easily be reheated when desired.
4. Chicken and Rice
No matter the time of year or the occasion, this hearty southern chicken stew recipe will surely warm you up! Perfect for busy weeknight dinner rotations.
Boil water, add chicken pieces and simmer until the skin and bones can be easily removed when cool enough to handle. Strain and reserve 2 cups of the cooking liquid as an additional asset.
Add milk, butter, thyme, Cajun seasoning and parsley to the strained broth and bring back to a boil before reducing to low simmer until rice has cooked completely. For thicker soup texture try making a cornstarch slurry to thicken it further if desired – taste before making adjustments if necessary!
5. Chicken and Greens
This chicken stew is inspired by traditional beef stew, yet includes plenty of veggies and potatoes, along with cream for an irresistibly creamy finish. Perfect with saltines!
To make the stew, heat vegetable oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven and add chicken pieces until they’re browned on both sides. Add onions, bell peppers and celery; continue cooking until translucent before stirring in flour to form a dark chocolate-colored roux (see my post on how to create one for more details).
Add chicken and the remaining cooking liquid, stirring until tender. After taking out of the pot and setting aside, stir milk and butter into the remaining cooking liquid until evenly mixed in.