A Stew for a Busy Day
This chicken stew is my go-to on a busy day. I just toss everything in the pot. Then the slow cooker does all the work for me.
The smell fills the house all afternoon. It makes everyone’s stomach growl. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It feels like a warm hug from the kitchen.
A Little Secret for More Flavor
Do not skip searing the chicken. It gives the stew a much richer taste. I learned this the hard way.
Once, I was in a rush and just put raw chicken in. The stew was fine, but it was missing something. That golden-brown color is pure flavor. I still laugh at that mistake.
Why We Cook This Way
This matters because a good meal brings people together. It is not just about eating. It is about sharing your day over a warm bowl.
It also matters because it teaches us patience. Good things take time. The slow cooking makes the chicken so tender it falls apart. What is your favorite meal to share with your family?
The Fun Part at the End
My favorite step is adding the peas and milk at the end. It makes the stew creamy and colorful. The green peas pop with sweetness.
Fun fact: Peas are usually frozen right after they are picked. This locks in their sweetness and bright green color! Do you prefer your stew thick or thin? You can fix it at this stage.
Make It Your Own
The best recipes are the ones you change a little. Maybe you add some corn. Or use a different herb. It is your kitchen!
This is a very forgiving recipe. That is why I love it. What is one ingredient you would love to add to this stew? Tell me about it.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp | |
| Chicken thighs | 1 1/2 lbs | cut into 1-inch pieces |
| All-purpose flour | 3 tbsp | plus more for thickening if needed |
| Dried thyme | 1 tsp | |
| Dried rosemary | 1 tsp | |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp | plus extra to taste |
| Garlic | 6 cloves | minced |
| Onion | 1 | diced |
| Carrots | 3 | peeled and sliced |
| Potatoes | 2 large (1 lb) | cut into 1/2-inch cubes |
| Chicken broth | 3 cups | plus more for thinning if needed |
| Bay leaf | 1 | |
| Milk | 1/2 cup | |
| Frozen green peas | 1 cup | |
| Black pepper | to taste |
My Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
There’s nothing like coming home to a warm kitchen. The smell of this stew cooking is pure comfort. It reminds me of my own grandma’s house on a chilly day. She always said good food should hug you from the inside. This recipe does just that. Let’s make some memories together.
Step 1
First, let’s get our chicken ready. Sprinkle the chopped pieces with salt and pepper. This simple step makes all the flavor pop. I like to do this right on the cutting board. It feels like the true start of a good meal.
Step 2
Now, heat your oil in a big skillet. We just want to brown the chicken on all sides. You’ll see it turn a lovely golden color. It doesn’t need to be cooked all the way through. (A hard-learned tip: Don’t crowd the pan! It makes the chicken steam instead of sear.) Moving it to the slow cooker feels like a little victory.
Step 3
Time for the flour and herbs. Add them right into the slow cooker with the chicken. Give everything a good mix. The flour will help make our stew nice and thick later. I love the smell of thyme and rosemary together. It smells like a cozy blanket.
Step 4
This is the easy part! Toss in the garlic, onion, carrots, and potatoes. Pour the chicken broth over everything. Don’t forget that one bay leaf. Give it all a gentle stir. I still laugh at the time I forgot the bay leaf. The stew was good, but it missed its little secret.
Step 5
Pop the lid on your slow cooker. You can cook it on low all day or on high for a faster dinner. The waiting is the hardest part. Your whole house will start to smell amazing. The stew is ready when the carrots and potatoes are soft. What’s your favorite smell coming from the kitchen? Share below!
Step 6
We’re almost there! Stir in the milk and frozen peas. Let it cook for another 10-15 minutes. The peas will warm up perfectly. If you want a thicker stew, you can add a bit more flour. For a thinner stew, a splash of broth will do.
Step 7
The final step is very important. Taste your stew! Does it need a little more salt or pepper? Now it’s ready to serve. I always imagine my family’s happy faces at the table. Doesn’t that look delicious?
Cook Time: 3–8 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes – 8 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner, Soup
Three Fun Twists to Try
This stew is like a favorite story. You can tell it a little differently each time. Here are some of my favorite ways to change it up. I think cooking should be a fun adventure. Don’t you agree?
Biscuit Topper
Pour the stew into a baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of biscuit dough on top. Bake until the biscuits are golden brown. It’s like a pot pie in a bowl!
A Little Spice
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the herbs. It gives the stew a warm, gentle kick. It will make you feel nice and toasty inside.
Autumn Harvest
Swap the potatoes for cubed sweet potato. Use butternut squash instead of carrots. It tastes like a walk through a colorful fall day.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving Your Masterpiece
A good stew deserves a good partner. I always think about what to serve with it. A warm, crusty loaf of bread is perfect for dipping. It’s the best way to get every last drop. A simple green salad on the side adds a fresh crunch. It makes the meal feel balanced and complete.
For a drink, a cold glass of apple cider is wonderful. The sweet and tangy flavor loves the savory stew. For the grown-ups, a pale ale is a nice match. Its crisp taste cuts through the richness beautifully. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Cozy Stew for Later
This stew keeps well in the fridge for three days. Just let it cool first. I always use a glass container with a lid. It freezes beautifully for up to three months too.
Freeze it in portion-sized containers. This makes a fast and healthy meal anytime. I remember freezing my first big batch for my busy son. He was so grateful for a homemade dinner on a busy night.
Reheat it gently on the stove with a splash of broth. Stir it often so it heats evenly. The microwave works too, just stir halfway through. This care keeps the chicken tender and the veggies perfect.
Batch cooking like this saves time and money. It also means a warm meal is always close by. That is a wonderful feeling on a cold, tired day. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for a Perfect Stew
Is your stew too thin? Mix a tablespoon of flour with some broth. Stir this back into the stew to thicken it. This makes the gravy just right for your bread.
Are the vegetables still hard? This means they need more time to cook. Just put the lid back on and let it go. I once served stew with crunchy carrots, oh my!
Does it taste a little bland? Do not worry, this is an easy fix. Just add a pinch more salt and pepper. Taste it after each pinch until it shines.
Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. You learn that most mistakes are not big deals. Getting the flavor just right makes the whole house smell amazing. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Stew Questions Answered
Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
Q: Can I prepare it ahead of time? A: You can chop all the veggies the night before. Keep them in a bowl of water in the fridge.
Q: What if I do not have chicken thighs? A: Chicken breasts work just fine. They are a bit leaner, so be careful not to overcook them.
Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Absolutely, if your slow cooker is big enough. All the ingredients can be doubled with no problem.
Q: Any other easy tips? A: A splash of lemon juice at the end brightens all the flavors. Fun fact: A little acid makes flavors pop! Which tip will you try first?
Until Next Time, Happy Cooking!
I hope this recipe brings warmth to your kitchen. It is one of my favorite meals to share. Cooking for people is a way to show you care.
I would love to see your beautiful creations. Your family table is a special place. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I always look for your photos.
Happy cooking!
—Olivia Hartwell.
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe Snack On Meat
Description
A hearty and comforting slow cooker chicken stew, packed with tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, and green peas.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by seasoning the chopped chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear for 4-5 minutes until it develops a golden-brown color on all sides; it does not need to be fully cooked. Move the chicken to the slow cooker. (For convenience, if your slow cooker insert is stovetop-safe, you can sear the chicken directly in it before placing it on the base.)
- Add the flour, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and salt to the chicken in the slow cooker. Mix everything together until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Incorporate the minced garlic, diced onion, sliced carrots, and cubed potatoes into the slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf, giving everything a good stir.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 7-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the vegetables are soft and tender.
- To finish, stir in the milk and frozen green peas. Continue to cook on the high setting for another 10-15 minutes, or just until the peas are heated through. If you prefer a thicker or thinner stew, adjust the consistency with a bit more flour or broth at this stage.
- Before serving, do a final taste test and season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve the stew warm, ideally with a side of crusty bread.
Notes
- For a thicker stew, mix 1-2 tablespoons of flour with a little cold water to form a paste and stir it in during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
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