Description
Hearty slow cooker chicken stew combines tender chicken, root vegetables, and herbs for a comforting meal. Rich flavors meld together, creating a satisfying dish you can enjoy with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
- 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
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and a light flour dusting, creating an even, delicate exterior for maximum flavor absorption.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Layer seasoned chicken as the foundational element, strategically positioning diced potatoes, chopped carrots, sliced celery, minced onion, and crushed garlic to create a vibrant, textured culinary landscape.
- Liquid Infusion: Whisk chicken broth with tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf to craft a robust, aromatic liquid that will permeate every ingredient with complex flavors.
- Cooking Process: Pour the herb-infused broth over the layered ingredients, ensuring complete coverage, then seal the slow cooker and allow the stew to simmer on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes supremely tender and vegetables reach optimal softness.
- Final Touches: Introduce green peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking, then remove the bay leaf and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, transforming the hearty stew into a visually appealing and aromatic dish ready to be savored.
Notes
- Flour Coating Technique: Dust chicken lightly and evenly with flour to create a delicate barrier that helps seal in moisture and develops a subtle golden crust during slow cooking.
- Layering Strategy: Arrange vegetables strategically around chicken to distribute flavors evenly and ensure each ingredient absorbs the rich, aromatic broth during the cooking process.
- Herb Infusion Tip: Use fresh herbs when possible for more vibrant flavor; dried herbs work well too but add them early to allow full flavor development throughout the cooking time.
- Dietary Modification Option: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version, or replace chicken with firm tofu or plant-based protein for a vegetarian alternative without compromising the stew’s hearty texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg