Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is what I make when the day gets away from me and I still want dinner to feel like a hug in a bowl. It’s the no-stress, toss-it-in-and-go kind of meal that makes your kitchen smell amazing for hours. If you love simple slow cooker meals, take a peek at my other favorites in these crockpot recipes for fresh ideas. Today I’m sharing exactly how I do it, with all my best tips to get tender chicken, chunky veggies, and a rich broth. Nothing fancy, just real comfort that tastes like home.
Why This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Is the Perfect Cozy Dinner
On busy workdays or chilly weekends, a pot of stew simmering away is pure relief. This version is creamy without heavy cream, veggie-forward without tasting “healthy,” and hearty enough to satisfy everyone at the table. It reheats like a dream for lunches, and the flavor only gets better the next day. If you like classic comfort, try my cozy beef stew in a crock pot too. Either way, you’re set for a warm, low-effort meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
- Chicken: Boneless skinless thighs are best for tenderness, but breasts work too.
- Potatoes: Yukon gold or red potatoes hold shape and have great texture.
- Carrots and celery: For that classic stew base.
- Onion and garlic: Flavor foundations.
- Peas: Stir in at the end for sweetness and color.
- Chicken broth: Low sodium lets you control the salt.
- Tomato paste: Adds depth and a subtle tang.
- Bay leaf, thyme, parsley: Go-to herbs for stew.
- Olive oil and butter: A little fat helps richness and mouthfeel.
- Flour or cornstarch: For thickening.
- Salt and pepper: Season in layers for best flavor.
Optional: a splash of milk or half-and-half at the end for extra creaminess. Keep it light or make it silky — your call.
Optional Add-Ins for Extra Flavor
Want a little twist? A dash of Worcestershire, a spoon of Dijon, or a bit of smoked paprika gives a deeper, savory vibe. A handful of mushrooms adds umami. A squeeze of lemon brightens everything right before serving. Little moves, big payoff.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Stew (Step-by-Step)
Prep
Cut chicken into bite-size chunks. Chop your potatoes and carrots into larger pieces so they keep their shape. Dice onion and celery, mince garlic.
Layer
To the slow cooker, add onion, celery, carrots, potatoes, garlic, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Nestle in the chicken. Pour in broth to just cover the ingredients.
Cook
Cook on Low 6 to 7 hours or on High 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and veggies are soft but not falling apart.
Finish
Stir in peas in the last 15 minutes. Thicken with a quick slurry of flour or cornstarch and water, or mash a few potatoes right in the pot. Add a small knob of butter and chopped parsley to finish.
That’s it. Minimal fuss, maximum comfort.
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
- Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
A hearty and comforting chicken stew made in a slow cooker, perfect for busy days, full of tender chicken, chunky vegetables, and a rich broth.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts (Thighs are recommended for tenderness.)
- 4 medium Yukon gold or red potatoes (Cut into larger chunks.)
- 2 medium Carrots (Chopped into larger pieces.)
- 2 stalks Celery (Diced.)
- 1 medium Onion (Diced.)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced.)
- 4 cups Low sodium chicken broth (To cover the ingredients.)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste (For depth of flavor.)
- 1 bay leaf Bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme (Or to taste.)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh parsley (Chopped, added at the end.)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil (For added richness.)
- 1 tablespoon Butter (For added richness.)
- 2 tablespoons Flour or cornstarch (For thickening.)
- to taste Salt and pepper (Season in layers.)
- 1 cup Frozen peas (Stirred in at the end.)
- optional Splash of milk or half-and-half (For extra creaminess at the end.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks. Chop your potatoes and carrots into larger pieces, and dice onion and celery. Mince garlic.
Layering Ingredients
- In the slow cooker, add onion, celery, carrots, potatoes, garlic, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Nestle in the chicken and pour in the broth to just cover the ingredients.
Cooking
- Cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours or on High for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and vegetables are soft but not falling apart.
Finishing Touches
- Stir in peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Thicken with a slurry of flour or cornstarch mixed with water, or mash a few potatoes right in the pot. Add a small knob of butter and chopped parsley to finish.
Notes
Keep veggies chunky and season throughout the cooking process. Brighten flavor with a squeeze of lemon before serving. Can be customized with optional add-ins for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Comfort Food