Description
Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Stew blends tender chicken, root vegetables, and aromatic herbs into a comforting meal. Rich flavors meld together, promising warmth and satisfaction when you savor each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsps flour
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Seasoning: Generously coat chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and a light flour dusting to enhance flavor and create a perfect golden exterior.
- Layering: Arrange flour-coated chicken in the slow cooker, then strategically place potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic to create a robust vegetable foundation.
- Liquid Infusion: Whisk chicken broth with tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and a bay leaf to develop a complex, aromatic liquid base that will permeate the entire dish.
- Slow Cooking: Pour the herbal broth over the layered ingredients, ensuring complete coverage, then cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken and vegetables become tender and flavors meld harmoniously.
- Final Touch: Add frozen peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking to preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture, then remove the bay leaf and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving a rustic, comforting stew.
Notes
- Enhance Chicken Coating: Lightly dust chicken with flour just before adding to prevent sogginess and create a delicate golden crust that helps seal in moisture.
- Layer Vegetables Strategically: Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and prevent smaller pieces from becoming mushy during long slow cooking process.
- Control Liquid Levels: Avoid overfilling slow cooker; maintain liquid just below ingredient tops to prevent diluting flavors and ensure proper stew consistency.
- Adapt for Dietary Needs: Substitute regular flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals without compromising texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg