Chicken stew is like soup’s older, heartier cousin – an easy one-pot meal that pairs perfectly with some crusty bread for sopping up all that delectable gravy!
Roux, or flour paste cooked in butter, thickens broth as it simmers. Additionally, making a quick cornstarch slurry and adding it directly into your broth can further thicken its consistency as it cooks.
1. Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Crock pot chicken stew is an easy, comforting way to fill your belly! Packed full of tender chicken pieces, chunks of potatoes, fresh carrot and green bean chunks and pops, plus flavor from garlic, bay leaves, paprika and poultry seasoning, it will leave your tastebuds satisfied and your soul satiated!
At the end of this crockpot recipe for Southern Chicken Stew, some cream is added for extra richness and cream-free soupiness. If desired, more broth may be added instead for more soup-like texture.
Boneless chicken thighs make for the ideal protein source in this slow cooker chicken stew recipe as they stay moist while simmering, saving both money and time! For extra heat, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of paprika or Cajun seasoning before beginning. Make ahead: this slow cooker chicken stew can be stored for several days in the fridge before being frozen up to three months for future enjoyment! To reheat, simply microwave on medium-low heat or warm up on the stovetop when ready to eat!
2. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chicken Stew
This slow cooker chicken stew is full of flavor and texture from sweet potatoes and chickpeas, providing an enjoyable bite while providing ample protein and B vitamin support – perfect for an autumn evening dinner!
Browned chicken adds an abundance of richness to this broth thickened with flour instead of cornstarch, while this recipe incorporates many aromatic herbs and spices like poultry seasoning, thyme, paprika and fresh parsley for additional flavor.
Use a slow cooker and combine all the ingredients except beans and chicken for high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours, using either setting. Remove approximately one coffee cup worth of potatoes with a fork to slightly mash (this helps thicken up the stew), before returning them back into the soup with stir. Taste for salt before tasting for flavor before serving! This dish also freezes well – simply allow it to completely cool before sealing into an airtight resealable freezer bag marked with date/time/placement on date/time labeled date/time for best results!
3. Slow Cooker Green Bean Chicken Stew
Slow cooker chicken stew takes on a healthier twist in this comforting dinner recipe! Packed full of tender shredded chicken, hearty vegetables and potatoes with just the right amount of creaminess makes for a flavorful yet filling experience that will become a family favorite! Give this classic slow cooker recipe a try now – your family won’t thank you for it!
Flour used to coat browned chicken thighs is used to thicken the broth into a rich gravy, and adds flavor and texture. Classic mirepoix of onions, carrots and celery is added for flavor and texture, with garlic cloves and pinch of paprika also rounding out flavors nicely. Plus there’s poultry seasonings like thyme and sage added for additional comforting flavor!
Like its sweet potato version, this hearty stew is ideal for cool weather nights! Easy to prepare and an excellent freezer meal option. Add fresh parsley at the end for extra color and taste, serving alongside crusty bread for a satisfying weeknight dinner option!
4. Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Stew
Serve this hearty stew with saltine crackers as the ideal winter meal!
Add chicken, potatoes, cream of chicken soup, carrots, celery, garlic salt, peppercorns, and bouillon to a slow cooker and mix well before placing on low for 6-8 hours. After this period, stir in frozen mixed vegetables for another hour of cooking time.
Add an extra creamy touch by whisking cornstarch with heavy cream before stirring into your stew pot. This will thicken it a bit; however if you prefer your stew thinner simply skip this step.
I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe because they retain more moisture when simmering, although you could also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or even leftover shredded meat from store-bought rotisserie chickens. For an added punch, add paprika or cayenne pepper in addition to salt and black pepper for an spicier stew experience! This savory stew tastes even better the second day – make sure you enjoy those leftovers!