Description
This comforting Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for busy days. Tender chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots, peas, and aromatic herbs simmer together in a rich chicken broth, slowly cooked to perfection. The stew is thickened with a cornstarch slurry for a satisfying, velvety texture, making it an ideal wholesome meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Vegetables
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas
Liquids and Thickener
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Add the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the slow cooker as the base of your stew.
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle the chicken evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and paprika to build deep flavor.
- Add Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, peeled and sliced carrots, diced potatoes, and frozen peas on top of the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Pour in Broth: Pour 3 cups of chicken broth over the ingredients, ensuring everything is fully covered for even cooking.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Make Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup water until smooth, preparing the thickening agent.
- Thicken the Stew: About 30 minutes before serving, stir the cornstarch slurry into the stew to thicken the broth.
- Final Cooking: Cover and cook the stew on high heat for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the broth to thicken to a velvety consistency.
- Serve: Ladle the hot, flavorful chicken stew into bowls and enjoy your comforting homemade meal!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, though thighs are more tender and flavorful in slow cooking.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute cornstarch with a gluten-free thickener and ensure chicken broth is gluten-free.
- Add celery slices along with other vegetables for extra crunch and flavor if desired.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, before serving.
- This stew can be made a day ahead and reheated; flavors intensify after resting overnight.
