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Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
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Warm up your evenings with this easy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew recipe, featuring tender chicken thighs, vibrant vegetables, and fragrant herbs slow-cooked to create a hearty, comforting meal perfect for cozy nights and effortless dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 medium carrots, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme sprigs (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients: Begin by chopping carrots, celery, potatoes, onion, and garlic into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy serving.
  2. Brown the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): Lightly sear the chicken thighs in a hot pan until golden brown on both sides. This step adds depth of flavor and texture but can be skipped if in a hurry.
  3. Layer in the Slow Cooker: Place the chopped vegetables in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the browned chicken on top, then garlic, tomato paste, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves.
  4. Pour in the Broth and Season: Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. This broth will form the flavorful base of your stew.
  5. Slow Cook Low and Slow: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and chicken to become tender enough to pull apart easily.
  6. Final Touches and Serving: Remove bay leaves and thyme stems. Adjust seasoning if necessary, stir gently, and serve hot for a comforting meal.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs over breasts for juicier, more tender meat after slow cooking.
  • Fill the slow cooker no more than two-thirds full to allow even cooking.
  • Place denser vegetables like potatoes at the bottom to ensure thorough cooking.
  • Add salt and pepper gradually, seasoning halfway through and adjusting at the end to avoid over-salting.
  • Stir in fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary just before serving to preserve bright flavors.
  • To thicken the stew, mix in a cornstarch slurry near the end of cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, chicken stew, comfort food, easy dinner, hearty stew, slow cooked chicken, gluten free

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/slow-cooker-chicken-stew/