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Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe
Ash Tyrrell

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe

If there’s one dish that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket after a long day, it’s slow cooker chicken stew. After trying this recipe for the first time, I couldn’t get over how comforting and flavorful it was. The tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and rich broth made my kitchen smell incredible as it simmered away.
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Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken thighs or breasts
  • Carrots
  • Celery stalks
  • Potatoes
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Chicken broth
  • Tomato paste
  • Thyme
  • Bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper

Method
 

  1. First, wash and chop all your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Dice the chicken so it’s ready to go. Prepping everything upfront makes assembling the stew even faster.
  2. If you have a few extra minutes, lightly brown your chicken in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. This step locks in flavor and makes the stew even more delicious. (But if you’re short on time, feel free to skip!)
  3. Start layering your ingredients into the slow cooker. Begin with the vegetables, then nestle your chicken on top. Sprinkle thyme, salt, and pepper evenly, and add the bay leaves for depth.
  4. Pour the chicken broth over the chicken and veggies, ensuring everything is evenly covered. Stir in tomato paste to give the broth a rich, savory base.
  5. Cover the slow cooker and choose your cooking setting. Low and slow for 6-8 hours works great, or cook on high for 3-4 hours if you’re in a rush. During this time, the ingredients will soften, and the flavors will meld beautifully.
  6. For a thicker stew, stir in a small cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Once done, dish out steaming bowls of stew and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic and not garlic powder for a deeper flavor.
  • Don’t skimp on the seasoning—for this stew, it’s better to slightly over-season rather than under-season.
  • If using chicken breasts instead of thighs, check the stew earlier as they tend to cook faster to stay moist.