This delicious slow cooker chicken stew recipe is perfect for those who crave a hearty and satisfying dinner on a cold day. With tender chicken, red kidney beans, and savory herbs, this crock pot chicken stew is a comfort food classic that is easy to make and perfect for a busy weeknight.
Stew has been around as long as we have had the ability to cook in some kind of pot. Stew is a hearty and comforting meal that typically includes meat or poultry, vegetables, and a flavorful broth. Stew recipes are incredibly versatile and can be flavorful and healthy main dishes.
This slow cooker chicken stew recipe is packed with tender chicken thighs, flavorful vegetables, and kidney beans in a rich broth, seasoned with fragrant herbs and spices.
Slow cooker recipes are easy to make because they need minimal prep, so they are perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. If you’re looking for a delicious and effortless chicken stew recipe, this one works!
Ingredients:
• Olive Oil – Or use vegetable oil.
• Onion – Or you can use onion powder, or shallots.
• Celery – Or use fennel, or other veggies.
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs – You can substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts for the chicken thighs if you prefer.
• Salt and Black Pepper – Staple seasonings.
• Bay Leaf – Bay leaves add a subtle herbal mintyness and bitterness that brightens the heaviness of stew. It won’t taste minty or bitter, it’s very subtle.
• Fresh Thyme, Rosemary, Dried Sage – Fresh herbs and/or dried herbs can be used. Poultry seasoning or Italian seasoning can be used if you don’t have thyme, rosemary, or sage.
• Fresh Garlic – Adds a great savory flavor. Use jarred garlic, minced, or garlic powder in place of fresh.
• Chicken Broth – I normally use a low sodium broth or chicken stock, but you can use regular broth and adjust the salt in the recipe to taste.
• Canned Red Kidney Beans – You can use any canned beans that you like.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes – If you don’t have Yukon Golds, just use any type of potato you have on hand, red potatoes, baby potatoes, or russet potatoes. Keep in mind that different varieties may have different cook times.
• Better Than Bouillon® – Enhances the chicken flavor. If you don’t have chicken Better Than Bouillon®, you can substitute 2 chicken bouillon cubes instead.
• Corn Starch and Cold Water – To make a corn starch slurry that will thicken the stew. This is optional.
• Fresh Kale – I add this after the stew finishes cooking. You can also add fresh baby spinach, canned green beans, frozen peas or other frozen vegetables.
There are many ways to make a crock pot chicken stew recipe. You can create unique flavor profiles by switching up the ingredients. Here are a few variations you may want to try:
- Creamy Chicken Stew: Make a creamy white sauce with butter, a little flour, and half and half or heavy cream and you’ll have a delicious white chicken stew.
- Spicy Chicken Stew: If you like a little spicy heat, add some diced jalapeños, oregano, chili powder, and cumin to your chicken stew in place of the rosemary and thyme. You can also use hot sauce or cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
- Coconut Chicken Stew: Use coconut milk as the base for your chicken stew, and add some ginger, lemongrass, and curry powder for an Asian-inspired flavor. You can also include some diced sweet potatoes and bell peppers for a pop of color and sweetness.
Vegetarian and Vegan Stew Options
• Vegetable Stew: Omit the meat and add a variety of veggies, including carrots, onions, potatoes, beans, and mushrooms. Use a flavorful vegetable broth.
• Lentil Stew: Lentils add plant-based protein and a thick consistency. Vegan lentil stew features green or brown lentils and vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, onions, and celery.
• Chickpea Stew: Another protein-packed vegan stew option includes chickpeas, spinach, sweet potatoes, and onions.
• Mushroom Stew: This meaty-textured vegetarian stew combines earthy mushrooms with vegetables like onions, carrots, and potatoes.
• Vegan Beef Stew: Using seitan or other meat substitutes can create a similar texture and flavor to chicken stew, with carrots, potatoes, garlic, peppers, and onions.
Instructions: