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Ultimate Slow Cooker Chicken Stew: Easy Comfort Food Recipe

This hearty slow cooker chicken stew features tender chicken and perfectly cooked vegetables simmered in a rich broth with minimal effort. It's an ideal comfort food for busy weeknights that delivers cozy satisfaction and can be customized based on seasonal ingredients.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (for thickening)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Prep the Ingredients: Start by preparing all your vegetables. Chop the onion, slice the carrots and celery, mince the garlic, and cube the potatoes. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Brown the Chicken (Optional): For deeper flavor, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
  3. Combine in Slow Cooker: Place the chopped vegetables and potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the browned chicken on top. Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Sprinkle with dried thyme, rosemary, and add the bay leaf.
  4. Cook to Perfection: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. The stew is ready when the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
  5. Thicken the Stew: About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the stew and continue cooking until thickened.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Remove the bay leaf. Shred the chicken if desired, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot with crusty bread or over rice.

Notes

Browning chicken adds deeper flavor but can be skipped to save time. Bone-in thighs provide best flavor, but boneless work well too. Add delicate vegetables like peas or green beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent mushiness.