There’s nothing better than coming home to a warm, comforting bowl of chicken stew, especially when your slow cooker has done all the work! This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is packed with tender chicken, baby potatoes, carrots, and celery, all simmered in a rich, flavorful broth.
Perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, or feeding a crowd, this one-pot meal is as easy as it is satisfying. Just throw everything in the slow cooker, let it work its magic, and enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal with minimal effort!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
✅ Dump-and-Go Recipe – Easy, hands-off slow cooking.
✅ Rich & Flavorful – A savory broth infused with herbs and tender chicken.
✅ Perfect for Meal Prep – Heats up beautifully for leftovers.
✅ One-Pot Comfort Food – No extra dishes or complicated steps.
✅ Customizable – Adjust ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs!
What Is Chicken Stew?
Chicken stew is a thicker, heartier version of chicken soup, made with a rich broth, chunks of tender chicken, and hearty vegetables like potatoes and carrots. Unlike soup, it has a slightly thicker consistency, making it the ultimate comfort food for cold days or when you need a cozy, nourishing meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This simple, wholesome recipe features fresh ingredients that create a deeply flavorful stew.
For the Chicken Stew
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Can also use chicken thighs for extra juiciness.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – Used for searing the chicken.
- Salt & black pepper – To season the chicken and enhance the flavors.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – Adds richness (substitute with olive oil for dairy-free).
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped – Provides a savory depth.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced – Infuses the stew with aromatic flavor.
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour – Helps thicken the stew (use cornstarch for gluten-free).
- 3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth – The base of the stew.
- 4 medium carrots, sliced into ¼-inch rounds – Adds natural sweetness and color.
- 3 ribs celery, chopped – Gives a slight crunch and earthy flavor.
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved – Adds heartiness and soaks up the broth’s flavor.
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning – A blend of dried herbs for a well-rounded taste.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
This easy slow cooker recipe comes together in just a few simple steps!
Step 1: Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended)
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry, season with salt and pepper, and brown on both sides (about 3 minutes per side).
- Transfer the seared chicken to the slow cooker.
💡 Searing adds extra flavor, but you can skip this step if short on time!
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
- In the same skillet, add butter and let it melt.
- Stir in chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, scraping up any browned bits.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 more seconds.
- Stir in flour, mixing well to coat the onions and create a roux.
- Pour in ½ cup of chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan, then transfer everything to the slow cooker.
💡 This extra step helps thicken the stew and enhances the flavor!
Step 3: Add Vegetables & Cook
- Add carrots, celery, potatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and remaining broth to the slow cooker.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken & Serve
- Remove the cooked chicken, place it on a cutting board, and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Shred it with two forks, then return it to the stew and stir.
- Serve warm with crusty bread, biscuits, or a fresh salad.
Ways to Customize This Chicken Stew
🔥 Make It Spicier – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne.
🥦 Boost the Veggies – Add green beans, peas, or mushrooms.
🥛 Make It Creamy – Stir in ⅓ cup heavy cream at the end.
🍚 Serve Over Grains – Try it with rice, quinoa, or egg noodles.
🌿 Use Fresh Herbs – Add fresh thyme or parsley for extra freshness!
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
🥡 Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
❄️ Freeze: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months (let thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating).
🔥 Reheat: Warm in a pot over medium heat, adding extra broth as needed.
💡 For the best texture, freeze without potatoes and add fresh ones when reheating!
What to Serve with Chicken Stew
🥖 Crusty Bread – Perfect for dipping into the broth.
🥗 Side Salad – A fresh green salad balances the richness.
🧀 Biscuits or Cornbread – A buttery, soft side to complement the stew.
🍚 Rice or Mashed Potatoes – A great way to soak up the flavors!
FAQs About Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs add even more flavor and tenderness.
Q: Can I make this stew gluten-free?
A: Yes! Skip the flour and use a cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) at the end to thicken.
Q: Can I add frozen chicken to the slow cooker?
A: It’s best to thaw the chicken first for even cooking. If using frozen, add 1 extra hour of cook time.
Q: How do I make this stew in an Instant Pot?
A: Use Sauté mode for steps 1-2, then pressure cook on High for 7 minutes with a 10-minute natural release.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is warm, hearty, and packed with flavor—a perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal that the whole family will love! Whether you enjoy it fresh out of the slow cooker or as leftovers, this stew is comfort food at its best.
Try this easy slow cooker recipe today, and enjoy a delicious homemade meal with zero stress! 🍲✨
Short Version
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- salt and pepper to season the chicken
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth divided
- 4 medium carrots sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds or half rounds
- 3 ribs celery chopped
- 1 pound baby potatoes halved
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken and brown on both sides, then transfer it to the slow cooker. It won’t be fully cooked yet.
- Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Add garlic and flour, stirring constantly for 30 seconds. Pour in about ½ cup of chicken broth and scrape up any remaining browned bits. Transfer everything from the skillet to the slow cooker.
- In the slow cooker, add carrots, celery, potatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and the remaining broth. Stir gently to combine, then spread the vegetables into an even layer in the broth.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken and place it on a clean cutting board or in a bowl. Let it rest for a few minutes, then shred it and stir it back into the stew. Serve warm.
Notes
