There’s nothing quite as comforting as a bowl of homemade stew bubbling away, filling your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas—and this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe delivers all the coziness and heartiness you could want from a classic family dinner. Each spoonful brings unbelievably tender chicken, sweet and earthy vegetables, and a luxuriously savory broth that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours (because, well, it has!). Whether you need an easy weeknight meal or want to feed a hungry crowd, this recipe is guaranteed to become your go-to for fuss-free comfort food.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This stew keeps things delightfully simple, relying on pantry staples and humble fresh ingredients to build incredible flavor. Each contributes something unique—from velvety potatoes that soak up every drop of broth to aromatic herbs that elevate the entire dish. Don’t skip a thing; each part has its role!

Chicken thighs: Juicy and flavorful, chicken thighs hold up beautifully in the slow cooker and stay incredibly tender.
Potatoes: They add heartiness and help create a thick, stew-like texture as they break down slightly during cooking.
Carrots: Classic for stew, they add sweetness and a gorgeous pop of color.
Celery: Essential for that traditional stew base flavor and a crisp-tender bite.
Onion: Melt-in-your-mouth and fragrant, onions are indispensable for depth and savoriness.
Garlic: A couple cloves go a long way toward building unforgettable, aromatic broth.
Frozen peas: Tossed in at the end for fresh color and a little burst of sweetness in every bite.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Provides a savory, simmered base without being too salty—homemade or store-bought both work perfectly.
Tomato paste: Just a couple spoonfuls add richness and terrific color to your broth.
Dried thyme: Brings in earthiness and pairs beautifully with chicken and veggies.
Dried rosemary: Offers piney, woodsy aroma that makes your kitchen smell like a cozy cabin.
Bay leaves: Essential for classic stew flavor, but remember to fish them out before serving!
Salt: Adds flavor and helps everything taste like its best self.
Black pepper: For that mellow kick and balance without overpowering the other ingredients.
All-purpose flour: Used as a thickener at the end for a perfectly creamy, velvety stew (swap for cornstarch if you need gluten-free).
Water: Whisked with flour, it makes a slurry that thickens without any clumps.
Olive oil: For browning the chicken, which adds a layer of savory, caramelized flavor you can’t get any other way.
Chopped fresh parsley (optional): Sprinkled on top for brightness, color, and a final fresh flourish.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Start by heating the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Give the chicken pieces a generous seasoning of salt and pepper, then sear them until they’re golden on both sides, about three minutes per side. This little extra step adds big flavor—it’s what helps lock in all those savory juices and develops a delicious, golden crust that makes the finished stew irresistible. Once browned, move the chicken to the waiting slow cooker.

Step 2: Load Up the Slow Cooker

Now comes the fun part: layer in the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic with your seared chicken. Next, pour in the chicken broth and stir in the tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Mix everything together so the flavors begin to mingle and the vegetables are evenly distributed. All that’s left is to pop the lid on, set your slow cooker, and let it work its magic!

Step 3: Let It Simmer Low and Slow

Cover and cook the stew on low for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours. This gentle, all-day simmer is the secret behind perfectly tender chicken and meltingly soft vegetables. As your kitchen fills with the most tantalizing aroma, you’ll know something wonderful is underway.

Step 4: Thicken the Stew and Add the Peas

About 30 minutes before you want to eat, whisk the flour and water together to make a smooth slurry. Stir this into the bubbling stew, along with the frozen peas. Let everything continue to cook with the lid on until the broth thickens up to the ideal, luscious consistency. This is when the stew truly comes together—you’ll notice it become creamy, hearty, and even more comforting.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Right before serving, don’t forget to remove the bay leaves! Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if needed—sometimes an extra pinch of salt or black pepper is all you need. For the grand finale, sprinkle a handful of fresh chopped parsley over the top for bright color and an inviting, garden-fresh aroma. Then ladle generous portions into bowls and get ready to enjoy every last drop.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe

Garnishes

A simple sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley adds a gentle pop of green and brings a welcome note of freshness to the warm, earthy flavors of the stew. If you want to turn up the flavor even more, try a light dusting of grated parmesan or a swirl of good-quality olive oil to finish each serving.

Side Dishes

This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe is endlessly satisfying on its own, but it’s even better with a crusty slice of sourdough for dunking or a mound of fluffy white rice to soak up all those juices. Egg noodles or mashed potatoes also make fantastic partners—think of them as a blank canvas for every velvety spoonful of stew.

Creative Ways to Present

Try dishing your stew into mini bread bowls for a dinner party wow factor or ladle it over polenta for a rustic Italian twist. For casual gatherings, serve the stew family-style straight from the slow cooker—the aroma alone will have everyone eager to dig in! Individual ramekins or mugs can turn leftovers into something brand new and totally adorable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer any leftover stew to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You’ll love how the flavors meld and deepen after sitting overnight—it’s just as comforting, if not more, the next day.

Freezing

This stew is a meal-prep hero! Spoon into freezer-safe containers (leave a little space for expansion) and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re craving comfort, just thaw and reheat—a total lifesaver on busy nights.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the stew gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if needed to loosen the texture, and taste for seasoning before serving. It’s also easy to microwave individual portions for a speedy lunch.

FAQs

What’s the best type Main Course

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal—they stay tender and juicy in the slow cooker, but you can also use chicken breast if you prefer a leaner option. Either cut works perfectly in this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe.

Can I prepare this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep all the vegetables and even sear the chicken a day ahead. Store everything in the fridge, then assemble and cook when you’re ready. It’s a fantastic trick for stress-free entertaining or busy weeknights.

How do I make this recipe gluten-free?

Just swap the all-purpose flour for cornstarch in the thickening step. Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with water instead of the flour slurry. Voilà—your Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe is now gluten-free!

Is it necessary to brown the chicken first?

While you can technically skip this step, searing the chicken adds a deeper, richer flavor. If you’re short on time, you can add the chicken straight to the slow cooker, but that golden crust really makes a difference!

Can I freeze leftovers with the potatoes and carrots?

Yes—this stew freezes and reheats beautifully! The potatoes and carrots may soften slightly, but the flavors only improve over time. Be sure to let the stew cool completely before packaging it for the freezer.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about letting a Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe bubble away and then sitting down to a bowl that feels like home in every bite. If you love hearty, soul-warming meals that come together with minimum fuss, this recipe is the one to try—don’t be surprised if it becomes a family favorite!

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew recipe is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for a cozy dinner. Tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, and peas simmered in a flavorful broth until deliciously tender.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Stew:

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
3 large carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen peas
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons olive oil
Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear chicken pieces until lightly browned.
Prepare Slow Cooker: Transfer chicken to slow cooker, add vegetables, broth, herbs, and spices. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
Thicken Stew: Make a slurry with flour and water, add peas to stew, and cook until thickened.
Finish and Serve: Adjust seasoning, remove bay leaves, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.