Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe

Introduction

A Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is the ultimate comfort dish—packed with hearty vegetables, tender chicken, and aromatic herbs all gently simmered to perfection. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends at home, this one-pot meal practically cooks itself while you get on with your day. The depth of flavor achieved from slow cooking makes this recipe a family favorite, and the leftovers taste even better the next day.

Why This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Is a Must-Make

The genius of this recipe lies in its simplicity and guaranteed success. By letting your slow cooker do the work, you’ll easily achieve melt-in-your-mouth chicken and perfectly tender veggies in a deeply flavorful broth. It’s a crowd pleaser that’s healthy, budget-friendly, and highly adaptable for whatever you have in your pantry—delivering maximum taste with minimal effort.

Getting the Heartiest Stew Base

The key to a delicious chicken stew is in layering flavors right from the start. Sautéing onions and garlic before adding them to your slow cooker helps amplify their sweetness and depth. Opt for bone-in, skinless chicken thighs for the richest flavor, though chicken breasts work beautifully for a lighter option. Plump potatoes, carrots, celery, and peas are classic additions, and a splash of broth brings everything together in a rich, satisfying sauce.

Tips for Building Flavor

Want to boost the flavor even more? Add a sprig or two of fresh thyme, a bay leaf, or a dash of smoked paprika for subtle complexity. For added creaminess, stir in a splash of half-and-half or coconut milk at the end of cooking. And don’t forget to taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper just before serving.

Serving Suggestions for Your Chicken Stew

Serve your stew steaming hot with a slice of crusty bread or over a bed of fluffy rice. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme adds a pop of color and freshness. Paired with a light green salad, this meal becomes a wholesome, well-rounded option for any night of the week.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 hearty servings. Each serving provides an excellent balance of lean protein and vegetables, usually containing approximately 300 to 350 calories per bowl (nutrition will vary based on added vegetables or thickening agents). It’s a nutritious, satisfying option you can feel good about enjoying any day.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a smart shopping list—every ingredient sorted by store section, making grocery trips smarter, faster, and frustration-free.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant and beginning to soften. (This step is optional but adds extra flavor!)
2. Add the sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker. Place the chicken, potatoes, carrots, and celery in the slow cooker as well.
3. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth to cover.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken and vegetables are tender.
5. About 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf and shred the chicken with two forks directly in the cooker. Stir in frozen peas and half-and-half or coconut milk, if using.
6. Cook for another 30 minutes on high, until the peas are heated through and stew is thickened slightly.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or thyme if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

A Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is an ideal addition to your weekly meal plan. Save and schedule this recipe to effortlessly plan when to prepare it and generate intelligent shopping lists that combine all your chosen recipes for the week.

Planning Benefits:

– Instantly calculates the exact total amounts needed for all planned meals
– Groups all ingredients by their grocery section for streamlined trips
– Helps avoid duplicate purchases and ensures you never forget an item
– Makes weekly menu planning quick, efficient, and reliable

Pro tip: Use CookifyAI’s scheduling tool to plan several slow cooker recipes during the week. You’ll always know exactly what to buy, keeping shopping trips short and meal prep stress-free.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
Total Time: 6.5 to 7.5 hours (including prep)

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew (Recap)

This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew recipe is the answer for anyone craving a nourishing, flavorful meal with minimal hands-on time. Thanks to the ease of slow cooking and a blend of simple, wholesome ingredients, you’ll enjoy a stew that’s rich, hearty, and perfect for meal planning all week long.