Description
This easy slow cooker chicken stew is the ultimate comfort food with minimal effort. Tender chicken, soft vegetables, and savory broth simmer together for a hearty meal that cooks itself while you go about your day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
- 4 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Aromatics and Vegetables: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the carrots and celery. There’s no need for perfect knife skills—rustic chunks work beautifully in stews.
- Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place chicken thighs at the bottom of your crock pot. Scatter the chopped onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and potatoes over the chicken. Add the thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk the tomato paste into the chicken broth until dissolved, then pour this mixture over everything in the pot.
- Cook to Perfection: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fork-tender and easily shreddable. About 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the flour with ¼ cup of the hot stew liquid to create a slurry. Stir this back into the crock pot along with the frozen peas and shredded chicken. Cook for another 30 minutes on HIGH until slightly thickened.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the bay leaf. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
Store cooled stew in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months (leave out potatoes if planning long-term freezing). Reheat gently on stovetop, adding broth if needed. The flavors deepen overnight, making excellent leftovers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 7g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 24g