Chicken Stew
This hearty and nourishing Chicken Stew is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for chilly evenings. Made with tender boneless chicken thighs, fresh vegetables, and a rich broth infused with herbs, it offers deep layered flavors and simple preparation. Ideal for family dinners or weeknight meals, it combines wholesome ingredients to create a cozy, satisfying dish everyone will love.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium potatoes, chopped into bite-sized pieces
Liquids and Condiments
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Herbs and Seasonings
- 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic cloves and trim excess fat from the chicken thighs to have everything ready before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear them until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. This locks in flavor and forms a tasty base for the stew.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Remove the chicken and set aside. In the same pot, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5-6 minutes, allowing the natural sweetness to develop.
- Build the Broth: Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another minute to release flavors. Pour in chicken broth while scraping the bottom of the pot to lift any browned bits. Add fresh thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Return the chicken to the pot along with the potatoes.
- Simmer Gently: Bring the stew to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 35-45 minutes until the chicken is tender and potatoes are soft but not mushy. This slow simmer melds all flavors beautifully.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasonings with additional salt or pepper if needed. Remove bay leaves and thyme stems. Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot, garnished as desired.
Notes
- Choose chicken thighs over breasts for juicier and more flavorful meat.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken; it adds essential depth of flavor.
- Simmer low and slow to keep chicken tender and develop rich flavors.
- Cut vegetables uniformly for even cooking and an attractive presentation.
- Use fresh herbs for best aroma and taste, adding them toward the end of cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: chicken stew, comfort food, one pot meal, hearty stew, easy chicken recipe, family dinner, gluten free