Looking for more stew recipes? Try my Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew, Crockpot Chicken Stew or this Classic Beef Stew! If there’s any meal that will warm you right through, it’s this easy and hearty Chicken Stew! (My kids would be so thrilled with my unintentional rhyme 😉 ) Sure, we love all one pot meals here — you can’t beat a delicious meal that comes together with minimal pots. Those beasts can take forever to scrub! But this Chicken Stew is special enough for a Sunday dinner with family, and just as welcome after a busy day of school or work. It’s just so cozy, and cozy is pretty much my favorite word these days. Some of our other favorite cozy meals? This Instant Pot Pot Roast, this Crockpot Creamy Italian Chicken and Potatoes, and this Rigatoni Pasta Bake are always hits around here! Stew is one of those recipes that gives you a lot of flexibility, so don’t be afraid to reach deep into the back of your vegetable drawer and throw in a few additions you just need to get out of the fridge. Just be sure to include a bag of your favorite Little Potatoes — they make this stew even easier because they come washed and ready to cook! Simply halve and throw in the pot — they are the perfect vehicle for soaking up all of that deliciousness. I’ve included lots of extra tips below for making it your own down below. Need a crockpot version for a busy day? Try my Crockpot Chicken Stew!
Tips for making the BEST chicken stew you’ve ever had:
Chicken Thighs over Chicken Breasts: It’s true that most of my chicken recipes here call for chicken breasts. They’re lean, easy to cook and often go on sale. But chicken thighs have a richer flavor, and for this chicken stew, that is exactly what we want. Brown the chicken first: browning the chicken adds a ton of flavor (and if you want to maximize that flavor and you’re not lazy like me, use skin on chicken). It’s actually okay if the chicken sticks a little when you’re browning — there should be some bits on the bottom that will be soaked up into the sauce to give it big flavor. However, we don’t want to cook it too much so that it becomes tough! Use a dutch oven if you have one: an enamel coated, cast iron dutch oven conducts heat incredibly well, and is my favorite vessel for cooking something like soup or stew. Simmer it slow: We want a low bubble in the dutch oven, not a rolling boil. You will bring your broth up to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and cover, cooking until everything is tender. Cooking stew too quickly can result in tough chicken.
Variations on this easy Chicken Stew recipe:
Swap the chicken: you can easily swap the thighs for breasts and all will be well. You can even get a little more creative and swap the chicken for really any protein, or none at all, and leave it vegetarian. Swap the vegetables: carrots, onions and celery (called a mirepoix), along with the chicken, make up the flavor base for this stew and many other soups, stews, and other recipes. You can always swap them for others, or add in additional vegetables if you need to get them out of the fridge. Adjust the seasoning: the herbs and spices used here are traditionally used in chicken stew, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improvise 😉 Dive into your spice cupboard and see what inspires you! Swap the last ½ cup of broth for cream for a luxuriously creamy chicken stew.
How to prep this Chicken Stew ahead:
Another thing we love about this chicken stew is how easy it is to prep ahead. It refrigerates perfectly (I don’t generally recommend freezing potatoes, so I would keep this stew out of the freezer) for up to 3-4 days, provided your ingredients are fresh when you start. Cook the stew completely, then let cool briefly at room temperature (not more than 1 hour), then cover and refrigerate. To reheat, simply place the pot on the stove top over medium-low heat, and stir often until warmed through.
How to make it in the Crockpot:
To make this stew in the crockpot, you can brown the chicken and vegetables and deglaze, then add to the crockpot with the remaining ingredients, or you can simply skip the browning and throw everything in. I prefer to cook chicken in the slow cooker in wholes rather than pieces, so I recommend cooking the stew with whole thighs for 4-5 hours on low until everything is cooked through, then remove the thighs to shred or chop.
How to make it in the Instant Pot:
Making this chicken stew in the Instant Pot is just as easy! You can follow the original steps to brown the chicken and deglaze right in the Instant Pot on saute, then add in the remaining ingredients. Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes if your chicken is chopped, or 8 minutes if your chicken thighs are whole. *This post is generously sponsored by The Little Potato Company and I was compensated for my time in creating this recipe. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Recipe Rebel possible! Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again. Register Now Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
