This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chunks of chicken, hearty vegetables, and aromatic herbs simmered to perfection. It’s a simple, wholesome dish perfect for any day, offering a warm and filling meal with minimal effort. Pair it with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for an extra cozy experience.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken chunks and brown on all sides (about 5 minutes). Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add carrots, celery, potatoes, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Stir in chicken broth, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 hours, or until the vegetables are tender and flavors meld together.
- 30 minutes before serving, stir in frozen peas.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: Approximately 290 kcal per serving
- Servings: 4
- Packed with lean protein from chicken and essential vitamins from vegetables, this stew is a hearty, low-calorie meal option. It’s naturally gluten-free if a certified gluten-free broth is used and can be modified to suit lower sodium or fat preferences.
Enjoy the rich and comforting flavors of this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew, perfect for any occasion!
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew: The Ultimate Comfort Food
When it comes to comfort food, few dishes embody warmth and simplicity like a hearty chicken stew. This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is the epitome of a classic, wholesome meal that can satisfy both the soul and the stomach. With tender chicken chunks, robust vegetables, and fragrant herbs, this dish is a delightful combination of flavors and textures that make it a go-to recipe for families and busy individuals alike.
The Appeal of Slow Cooker Meals
The slow cooker is often hailed as a culinary lifesaver, especially for those with packed schedules. The beauty of slow cooker recipes lies in their simplicity and hands-off approach. By combining ingredients and letting them simmer slowly over hours, the flavors meld together, creating a dish that is rich, well-rounded, and deeply satisfying.
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew exemplifies the best features of this cooking method. The chicken becomes incredibly tender, soaking in the essence of the broth and herbs, while the vegetables soften to perfection, offering a balance of textures. It’s a dish that brings a sense of homey comfort with minimal effort.
Why This Stew Stands Out
There are countless variations of chicken stews, but this recipe stands out for its versatility and nutritional profile. It’s a balanced meal in itself, featuring lean protein from the chicken, essential vitamins and fiber from the vegetables, and a flavorful base enhanced by aromatic herbs like thyme and rosemary. The tomato paste adds a subtle tanginess that complements the heartiness of the other ingredients, while the peas bring a pop of color and sweetness just before serving.
Moreover, this stew is highly adaptable. Whether you want to incorporate additional vegetables like parsnips, green beans, or mushrooms, or prefer to use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes for a sweeter undertone, the recipe can easily be tailored to suit personal preferences or dietary restrictions.
Pairing and Serving Suggestions
One of the joys of this stew is how easily it pairs with other foods to create a complete meal. For a cozy dinner, serve it alongside crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth or atop creamy mashed potatoes for an extra indulgent touch. If you’re looking to keep the meal lighter, consider pairing it with a simple side salad or steamed green beans.
For those hosting a gathering, this stew is an excellent choice because of its crowd-pleasing flavors and ease of preparation. Guests can serve themselves straight from the slow cooker, keeping the process relaxed and mess-free.
Nutritional Benefits
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew isn’t just about great taste—it also packs a nutritional punch. With lean chicken as its protein source and a medley of nutrient-dense vegetables like carrots, celery, and potatoes, the dish is both filling and nourishing. Each serving is approximately 290 calories, making it a relatively low-calorie meal option that doesn’t skimp on satisfaction.
For those watching their sodium intake, using a low-sodium chicken broth is an easy adjustment. Similarly, the olive oil used for browning the chicken is a heart-healthy fat, and if you’re looking to reduce calories further, you could use cooking spray or skip this step altogether. The result is a guilt-free meal that aligns with a wide range of dietary goals.
The Role of Herbs and Aromatics
Herbs and aromatics play a critical role in elevating this stew from simple to extraordinary. Dried thyme and rosemary are classic choices that complement the chicken and vegetables beautifully, adding depth and a hint of earthiness. Garlic, a cornerstone of savory cooking, enhances the flavor profile with its robust and aromatic qualities.
Tomato paste acts as a flavor booster, enriching the broth with umami and a subtle sweetness. For an extra layer of freshness, garnishing the finished stew with chopped parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note that rounds out the dish.
Tips for Success
To get the most out of this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew, here are a few tips to ensure success:
- Brown the Chicken: While it’s tempting to skip this step, searing the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker creates a richer flavor. The caramelization that occurs during browning enhances the overall depth of the stew.
- Layering Ingredients: Place hard vegetables like carrots and potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker, as they take longer to cook. The chicken and softer ingredients can go on top to ensure even cooking.
- Adjusting Consistency: If you prefer a thicker stew, consider mashing a few of the cooked potatoes before serving or adding a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and water) during the last hour of cooking.
- Flavor Boosters: For a more robust flavor, you can add a splash of white wine or a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the broth. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving can also brighten the flavors.
- Make-Ahead Option: This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. It’s an ideal make-ahead meal for busy weeks.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is more than just a meal—it’s an experience of comfort and nourishment in every bite. Its ease of preparation and versatility make it a favorite among home cooks, while its robust flavors and wholesome ingredients ensure it’s a dish you’ll return to time and time again. Whether served on a chilly winter evening or as a cozy dinner after a long day, this stew is a reminder that simple, hearty meals can often be the most satisfying.
By pairing it with crusty bread, a side salad, or simply enjoying it on its own, this recipe offers endless possibilities to suit your taste and lifestyle. So grab your slow cooker, gather your ingredients, and let the magic of slow cooking transform simple components into a dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chunks of chicken, hearty vegetables, and aromatic herbs simmered to perfection. It’s a simple, wholesome dish perfect for any day, offering a warm and filling meal with minimal effort. Pair it with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for an extra cozy experience.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken chunks and brown on all sides (about 5 minutes). Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add carrots, celery, potatoes, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Stir in chicken broth, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 hours, or until the vegetables are tender and flavors meld together.
- 30 minutes before serving, stir in frozen peas.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal per serving