There is truly no welcome quite like the deep, savoury scent of a stew gently simmering away. When a cold evening calls for a meal that offers pure comfort, we find that nothing compares to a time-honoured classic. This is why we are delighted to share our definitive recipe for a Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Hearty Dinner, a dish designed to deliver incredible taste with very little hands-on time.

This is more than just another recipe; it’s our go-to for hectic weeknights, a culinary hug in a bowl, and a dish that consistently wins over the entire family. We have refined this method to guarantee succulent chicken, perfectly tender vegetables, and a rich, deeply flavoured gravy with every serving. Step away from the hob; it’s time to let your slow cooker work its magic. Let’s begin!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Convenience: We are huge fans of meals that seamlessly fit into a busy schedule. This recipe requires just a small amount of preparation in the morning, after which your slow cooker handles everything, freeing you up for the rest of your day. It’s the definition of a fuss-free dinner.
• Rich Flavour and Tender Texture: The secret to chicken that is so tender it falls apart at the touch of a fork is cooking it low and slow. The herbs, vegetables, and chicken are given hours to meld, creating a complex and satisfying gravy that is difficult to replicate with quicker cooking methods.
• Wholesome and Comforting: We’ve filled this stew with hearty vegetables like carrots, celery, and potatoes. It serves as a complete, well-rounded meal all in one pot, making it an excellent choice for getting a variety of nutrients onto the dinner table. If you’re looking for more nourishing meals, you may also like our Low Carb Chicken Casserole.
• Economical and Sensible: This recipe brilliantly utilises affordable ingredients. Chicken thighs not only provide more flavour for a stew but are also more budget-friendly than chicken breasts. You can also incorporate any seasonal root vegetables you might already have.
• Ideal for Meal Prepping: This stew develops even more flavour overnight! We frequently prepare a large batch over the weekend for quick and easy meals during the week. It also freezes wonderfully.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into large chunks
• 2 medium onions, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2cm rounds
• 3 celery stalks, cut into 2cm pieces
• 3 tbsp plain flour
• 900ml hot chicken stock
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 150g frozen peas
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• A small handful of fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Crafting the Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Putting together this delightful Chicken Stew is remarkably simple. While it’s possible to add all the ingredients directly to the slow cooker, we’ve found that investing just ten minutes to brown the chicken and soften the onions first will transform the flavour from good to truly exceptional. Here is our step-by-step method.

1. Brown the Chicken (The Flavour Step!): Warm the olive oil in a spacious frying pan over a medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with a touch of salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the pan in a single layer (this may require two batches) and brown it on all sides for 3-4 minutes. The goal here isn’t to cook the chicken completely, but to develop a lovely golden crust. This Maillard reaction is key to building a deep, savoury foundation for your stew. Once browned, move the chicken into your slow cooker.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Using the same pan, add the chopped onions and let them cook for around 5 minutes until they start to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until it becomes fragrant. Scatter the plain flour over the onions and stir it in for one minute. This step cooks off the raw taste of the flour and is essential for thickening the stew later on.
3. Create the Gravy Base: Gradually pour in about 200ml of the hot chicken stock, stirring continuously to deglaze the pan. Make sure to scrape up all the caramelised bits stuck to the bottom – they are packed with flavour! When the mixture is smooth, incorporate the tomato purée and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Combine in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the onion and gravy mixture from the pan into the slow cooker with the chicken. Add the prepared carrots, celery, and potatoes. Pour in the rest of the chicken stock, followed by the bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Give it all a gentle mix to ensure everything is well combined.
5. Cook Low and Slow: Place the lid firmly on your slow cooker. Set it to cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. We always recommend the low setting if time permits, as it produces the most tender results for this Crockpot Stew.
6. The Finishing Touches: Approximately 20 minutes before you plan to serve, stir the frozen peas into the stew. They cook very quickly and will add a vibrant burst of colour and sweetness. Take out the bay leaves, taste for seasoning, and add salt and pepper as you see fit.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the gorgeous, thick, and hearty stew into warmed bowls. Finish with a garnish of freshly chopped parsley and serve straight away with some crusty bread for soaking up the delicious gravy.

Tips for the Best Hearty Stew

We have prepared this recipe on numerous occasions, and through experience, we’ve discovered a few techniques to ensure it’s perfect every time. Below are our best tips for creating the most amazing chicken stew you’ve ever tasted.

Choosing Your Chicken

Although you can certainly use chicken breast, we highly recommend chicken thighs for this dish. Thigh meat has a richer flavour and a slightly higher fat content, which helps it remain incredibly succulent and tender throughout the long cooking time. Chicken breast, on the other hand, can sometimes become dry and stringy in a slow cooker.

How to Achieve a Thicker Gravy

Our technique of using flour with the sautéed onions should yield a gravy with the perfect consistency. However, if your stew seems a bit too thin for your preference, there’s an easy fix. In a small cup, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornflour and 2 tablespoons of cold water until you have a smooth paste. Stir this slurry into the stew during the final 30 minutes of cooking on the HIGH setting, and it will thicken up beautifully.

Flavour Variations and Add-ins

This Hearty Stew serves as an excellent canvas for your own culinary creativity. Don’t hesitate to experiment!

• Root Vegetables: Try swapping some of the potatoes for parsnips or chunks of sweet potato to introduce a different taste dimension.
• Mushrooms: For an extra layer of earthy flavour, add some sliced mushrooms when you are cooking the onions.
• A Splash of Wine: To create an even richer gravy, deglaze the frying pan with a little dry white wine just before you add the chicken stock.
• Herbs: For a more pronounced herbal note, use fresh sprigs of thyme and rosemary instead of dried. Just be sure to fish out the woody stems before serving.

If you’re in search of other simple and flavour-packed chicken dinners, our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is another fantastic choice for a weeknight meal.

Storing and Reheating Your Stew

One of the brilliant aspects of this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is how wonderfully it stores. To save it for later, let the stew cool down completely, then transfer it into an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, just warm it up gently in a pot on the hob or in the microwave until it’s steaming hot. You’ll find that the flavours often meld and deepen overnight, making the leftovers exceptionally tasty.

This stew is also perfectly suited for freezing. Divide it into portions in freezer-safe containers or bags, and it will keep for as long as 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before you reheat it.

FAQ

The Perfect Comforting Conclusion

And there you have it – our straightforward, dependable, and completely delicious recipe for a Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Hearty Dinner. This is the type of meal that gathers everyone around the dinner table, offering a comforting hug in a bowl that feels both nourishing and wonderfully simple to prepare.

We are confident that this recipe will become a firm favourite in your household, particularly when the weather turns cooler. It serves as a reminder that you don’t need complicated methods or exotic ingredients to produce a meal that is profoundly satisfying and wholesome. A few simple ingredients and the gentle magic of a slow cooker are all it takes.

We are so excited for you to give it a try! When you do, we would love for you to return and share your thoughts in a comment or rating below. Hearing about how our recipes are enjoyed in your own kitchens is always a pleasure. Happy cooking!

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Whip up the ultimate Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Hearty Dinner with our simple, step-by-step guide! Filled with tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, and a rich, savoury gravy, this easy meal is comfort food at its best. Ideal for a cosy family meal.

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 3-8 hours
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into large chunks
• 2 medium onions, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2cm rounds
• 3 celery stalks, cut into 2cm pieces
• 3 tbsp plain flour
• 900ml hot chicken stock
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 150g frozen peas
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• A small handful of fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Brown the Chicken (The Flavour Step!): Warm the olive oil in a spacious frying pan over a medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with a touch of salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the pan in a single layer (this may require two batches) and brown it on all sides for 3-4 minutes. Once browned, move the chicken into your slow cooker.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Using the same pan, add the chopped onions and cook for around 5 minutes until they soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Scatter the plain flour over the onions and stir for one minute.
3. Create the Gravy Base: Gradually pour in about 200ml of the hot chicken stock, stirring continuously to deglaze the pan, scraping up any caramelised bits. When the mixture is smooth, incorporate the tomato purée and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Combine in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the onion and gravy mixture into the slow cooker with the chicken. Add the carrots, celery, and potatoes. Pour in the rest of the chicken stock, followed by the bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Mix gently.
5. Cook Low and Slow: Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
6. The Finishing Touches: About 20 minutes before serving, stir in the frozen peas. Remove the bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the stew into warmed bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty bread.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: —, Carbs: — g, Protein: — g, Fat: — g