Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

For the stew

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs – They stay juicy and tender, making them perfect for slow cooking.

Olive oil – Just enough to sear the chicken and build flavor.
Yellow onion – Finely chopped so it melts into the stew beautifully.

Carrots – Sliced into hearty rounds for the perfect bite.
Celery – Adds that classic earthy depth you expect in a stew.

Garlic – Mince fresh for the best aromatic punch.
Dried thyme – Its warm, herbal notes are a must here.
Dried rosemary – A little goes a long way, but it’s essential for that cozy flavor.

All-purpose flour – Helps thicken the stew just right.
Low-sodium chicken broth – Always go low-sodium so you can control the seasoning.
Baby potatoes – Halved so they cook evenly and soak up all the delicious broth.
Frozen peas – Toss them in at the end for a pop of sweetness and color.

For finishing

Salt – Season to taste, but start with a little and adjust as needed.
Black pepper – Freshly ground is always best.
Fresh parsley – The bright, herby garnish that ties it all together.

Ingredients for an easy chicken stew including chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots, and herbs placed on a rustic wood table

Cook Time for Hearty Chicken Stew

One of my favorite things about this particular Slow Cooker Chicken Stew recipe is how the timing works out so beautifully for a busy day. While you spend a little time upfront, you’re rewarded with a hands-off main course that fills the house with the most incredible aroma.

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The prep is just 25 minutes, which gives you enough time to get that lovely sear on the chicken and soften the vegetables.

Then, the slow cooker takes over for 6 to 7 hours on low. This slow simmer is what transforms these simple ingredients into a truly hearty chicken stew, allowing all the flavors to meld together perfectly.

Step	Time
Prep Time	25 minutes
Cook Time	6 hours 20 minutes
Total Time	6 hours 45 minutes

If you find yourself short on time, check out my quick grilled chicken recipes for another fast and flavorful option. The total time comes to just under 7 hours, making it ideal for a set-it-and-forget-it winter chicken dinner.

How to Make Easy Chicken Stew

Making this easy chicken stew is a simple, rhythmic process that feels so satisfying. I love how each step builds a foundation for that deep, comforting flavor we all crave.

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer them to the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften but still retain some firmness. This creates the base for our simmered chicken thigh vegetable medley.

Step 3: Bloom the Herbs and Flour

Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried rosemary, and cook for 1 minute until the mixture becomes fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste.

Step 4: Create the Savory Broth

Gradually pour in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. This step is key for a rich, savory slow-cooked comfort meal.

Step 5: Combine and Slow Cook

Pour the vegetable and broth mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker. Add the halved baby potatoes and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender enough to shred easily and the potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 6: Shred and Finish

Remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and shred them into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the stew. Stir in the frozen peas, cover, and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes on high, just until the peas are heated through.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. You’ll have a beautiful, hearty pea and potato stew that’s ready to warm you from the inside out.

Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks

Over the years, I’ve made this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew countless times, and I’ve picked up a few tricks to make it even better. Here are my favorite ways to tweak it based on what I’m craving or what I have on hand.

Flavor Swap: For a different herb-infused poultry potato stew vibe, swap the thyme and rosemary for a tablespoon of herbes de Provence. It brings a lovely touch of my French home right into the pot.
Diet Tweak: To make this dish gluten-free, simply replace the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend. It thickens just as well for a worry-free meal.
Prep Fix: For even more depth of flavor, try roasting the carrots and potatoes with a little oil before adding them to the slow cooker. It adds a wonderful caramelized note to your tender chicken with roasted vegetables.

Storage Tip: This stew stores beautifully. Let it cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, and it often tastes even better the next day. For more ideas on preserving your creations, see my guide to healthy soup recipes. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. If you love the convenience of freezer meals, you might also enjoy my slow cooker tacos for another easy option.

Nutrition and Health Benefits

I believe that wonderful comfort food should also nourish you from the inside out, and this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew does exactly that. It’s packed with wholesome ingredients that come together to create a truly satisfying and balanced meal.

Chicken thighs provide high-quality protein to keep you full and support muscle health, while the colorful array of vegetables delivers essential vitamins and fiber. The potatoes offer sustained energy, making this an ideal hearty chicken stew for chilly evenings.

Here’s a breakdown of what makes this comfort food stew so good for you:

Nutrient	Benefit
Lean Protein	Supports muscle repair and keeps you satisfied
Vitamin A (carrots)	Promotes healthy vision and immune function
Potassium (potatoes)	Helps regulate blood pressure
Fiber (vegetables)	Supports digestive health

For those watching their sodium intake, using low-sodium broth lets you control the seasoning perfectly. If you’re looking for more nourishing options, explore my collection of healthy soup recipes that follow similar principles.

This savory slow-cooked comfort meal represents what I love about traditional cooking methods. According to traditional slow cooker casserole methods, slow cooking helps preserve nutrients while developing deep flavors.

A Lighter Version of Comfort Food Stew

Sometimes we crave that cozy feeling of comfort food but want a lighter approach. The beautiful thing about this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is how easily it adapts to different dietary preferences without losing its soul-warming qualities.

For a leaner version, you can use chicken breast instead of thighs – just reduce the cooking time slightly to prevent dryness. I sometimes swap half the potatoes for cauliflower florets, which blend seamlessly into the herb-infused poultry potato stew while reducing carbohydrates.

Here are my favorite tweaks for a lighter stew:

Skip the flour thickening step and use 2 tablespoons of tomato paste instead – it adds richness without additional carbs
Increase the vegetable ratio by adding extra celery and mushrooms for more volume and nutrients
Use homemade chicken broth to control the fat content precisely

If you enjoy these lighter adaptations, you might also appreciate my white chicken chili, which offers similar comfort with a different flavor profile. For more weeknight-friendly options that won’t weigh you down, check out my easy grilled chicken breast recipe.

Thoughtful Tips for Special Diets

When my cousin Marie was diagnosed as diabetic, I started paying closer attention to how traditional recipes could be adapted for sugar-conscious eating. I discovered that with a few thoughtful tweaks, almost any dish can become diabetic-friendly while still tasting absolutely delicious.

For this stew, the natural sweetness from the carrots and onions usually means you don’t need any added sugar. If you’re particularly sugar-conscious, you can reduce the carrots slightly and add more celery and zucchini instead. Using low-glycemic index potatoes like red or sweet potatoes can also help with glycemic control.

Here are my favorite adjustments for special diets:

For a completely gluten-free version, use cornstarch instead of flour – it creates the same lovely thickness
If you’re avoiding nightshades, replace the potatoes with diced turnips or parsnips – they become wonderfully tender
For lower carbohydrate options, increase the chicken portion and add extra non-starchy vegetables like green beans

Remember, the best approach is to listen to your body and adjust portions according to what makes you feel your best. This stew is naturally blood sugar friendly when enjoyed in balanced servings.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

I’ll never forget the first time I served this stew to my family after we moved to Provence. The rain was tapping gently against our kitchen window, and the aroma of tender chicken with roasted vegetables filled our small cottage. My husband took one bite, smiled, and said, “This tastes like home,” and I knew this recipe would become part of our family story.

Steaming bowls of slow cooker chicken stew served at a rustic family dinner table with fresh bread

This hearty pea and potato stew deserves to be served with love and a few thoughtful accompaniments. I always bring the slow cooker right to the table – there’s something so comforting about serving directly from the pot.

For the perfect meal, I love pairing it with a crisp green salad with vinaigrette to cut through the richness. A slice of crusty whole-grain bread is perfect for soaking up every last bit of the delicious broth. If you’re looking for other comforting meal ideas, try my slow cooker French onion chicken for another family favorite.

In the cooler months, this stew makes the ultimate winter chicken dinner. I often double the recipe and share portions with neighbors – it’s my favorite way to spread warmth and nourishment. For more ideas on seasonal cooking, explore my collection of fall soup recipes that capture the best flavors of the season.

Mistakes to Avoid

Over the years, I’ve learned that even the simplest recipes can go sideways when we’re rushing or making assumptions. Through trial and error in my Provençal kitchen, I’ve discovered the key pitfalls that can affect this comforting slow cooker chicken stew.

One common mistake is overcrowding the slow cooker with too many ingredients. When you pack everything in tightly, the heat doesn’t circulate properly, and you’ll end up with unevenly cooked vegetables and chicken that’s either overcooked or underdone.

Here are the main issues I’ve encountered and how to avoid them:

Adding dairy too early – if you’re using cream or milk, wait until the last 30 minutes to prevent curdling

Overcooking the chicken thighs – even though they’re forgiving, extended cooking can make them dry and stringy
Not browning the chicken first – while you can skip this step, that quick sear adds incredible depth of flavor
Using the wrong potato variety – starchy potatoes like Russets can turn to mush, while waxy potatoes hold their shape

I learned about proper slow cooker techniques the hard way when I first moved here and had to adapt my Southern cooking methods. According to traditional slow cooker casserole methods, the layering order matters more than we realize. For more foolproof cooking ideas, check out my slow cooker recipes collection that includes tested timing guidelines.

Remember, the beauty of this easy chicken stew lies in its simplicity – sometimes less fussing leads to the most delicious results. If you’re looking for another set-it-and-forget-it meal, my slow cooker tacos follow similar hands-off principles that busy cooks appreciate.

How to Store Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

There’s something deeply comforting about opening my refrigerator the day after making this stew and finding those familiar containers waiting. It reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen, where every meal was cooked with tomorrow in mind, and nothing ever went to waste.

This hearty chicken stew actually improves in flavor after a night in the refrigerator, as the herbs and spices continue to meld together. I always let it cool completely before transferring to airtight containers – glass works best for preventing any plastic taste transfer.

Here’s how I handle storage and leftovers:

Storage Method	Duration & Tips
Refrigeration	3-4 days in airtight containers – flavors improve overnight
Freezing	2-3 months – potatoes may soften slightly upon thawing
Reheating	Gentle stove-top warming with extra broth if needed

When freezing, I portion the stew into meal-sized containers for easy thawing. The potatoes might soften a bit after freezing, but the overall taste remains wonderful. For more soup storage tips, you might find my chicken soup recipe guide helpful, as many principles apply to both dishes.

If you enjoy meal prepping like I do, you’ll appreciate how this savory slow-cooked comfort meal makes weekday dinners effortless. The tender chicken with roasted vegetables reheats beautifully for a quick lunch or dinner. For another freezer-friendly option, try my Mexican sweet potato chicken soup that stores equally well.

Try This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Yourself

I’ll never forget the first time my daughter helped me make this stew when she was just seven years old. She stood on her little step stool, carefully placing each vegetable into the slow cooker with such concentration. When we sat down to eat that evening, she beamed with pride and declared, “We made magic, Mama!” That’s exactly what this recipe feels like – kitchen magic that brings people together.

This simmered chicken thigh vegetable medley has become more than just a recipe in our home. It’s the dish I make when friends need comfort, when the weather turns chilly, or when I simply want to fill our cottage with the aroma of home. It represents everything I love about cooking – nourishment, connection, and the simple joy of sharing good food.

I encourage you to make this hearty pea and potato stew your own. Add your favorite herbs, use what’s in season, and create your own family traditions around this comforting meal. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just yourself, this herb-infused poultry potato stew will warm you from the inside out.

If you try this winter chicken dinner, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you. For more comforting ideas, explore my sweet potato chicken soup recipe, white chicken chili, or healthy soup recipes collection. You might also enjoy my fall soup variations and seasonal soup ideas for more cozy meal inspiration.

For quicker chicken options, check out my BBQ chicken breasts, easy grilled chicken breast, chicken burgers, or cilantro lime chicken for busy weeknights.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you cook a chicken stew in a slow cooker?

For this particular slow cooker chicken stew, I recommend 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. The exact timing depends on your slow cooker model and the size of your chicken pieces. The stew is ready when the chicken shreds easily with a fork and the vegetables are tender.

Is it okay to put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, absolutely! I often put raw chicken directly into my slow cooker for this easy chicken stew recipe. The long, slow cooking process ensures the chicken cooks through completely and becomes wonderfully tender. Just make sure your slow cooker reaches a safe temperature within the first few hours of cooking.

Can you put raw chicken in slow cooker stew?

You certainly can – I do it regularly with this comfort food stew. The slow cooker’s steady heat safely cooks raw chicken while making it incredibly tender. If you prefer, you can brown the chicken first for extra flavor, but it’s not necessary for food safety when using a properly functioning slow cooker.

What ingredients go into a chicken stew?

My hearty chicken stew includes chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, herbs, and broth as the base. I love adding peas toward the end for freshness and sometimes mushrooms for extra depth. The beauty of stew is its flexibility – you can adapt the vegetables based on what’s in season or your preferences.

Cozy Chicken Dinners for Chilly Nights

When the temperature drops, nothing satisfies like a warm chicken dinner that fills your kitchen with comforting aromas.

Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken – Caramelized onions and melted cheese create the ultimate comfort food with minimal effort.

White Chicken Chili – A creamy, slightly spicy twist on traditional chili that’s perfect for game day or weeknight dinners.

Mexican Sweet Potato Chicken Soup – Bright, zesty flavors with a touch of warmth from chili spices and sweet potatoes.

Butternut Squash Chicken Soup – Sweet squash and savory chicken create a beautifully balanced autumn-inspired bowl.

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup – The timeless favorite that always soothes the soul and warms you from within.

Cilantro Lime Chicken – Fresh, zesty flavors that bring a taste of sunshine to even the grayest winter day.

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe