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Ultimate Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe - Easy Crock Pot Comfort Food

This slow cooker chicken stew is the ultimate comfort food that practically makes itself with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. Perfect for busy weeknights, cozy winter dinners, or meal prep sessions, this one-pot wonder requires minimal effort while delivering incredible flavor.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 medium potatoes, cubed
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp flour (for thickening)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Prepare the chicken by seasoning it with salt and pepper. If using bone-in thighs, you can leave them whole for extra flavor.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown the chicken on both sides (about 3-4 minutes per side). This step adds incredible depth of flavor to your stew.
  3. Place the chopped onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste.
  4. Arrange the browned chicken pieces over the vegetables. Sprinkle with dried thyme and rosemary, then add the bay leaf.
  5. Pour the chicken broth over everything. The liquid should nearly cover the ingredients but not completely submerge them.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fall-apart tender.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
  8. Mix 2 tablespoons of flour with ΒΌ cup of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the stew to thicken it. Add the frozen peas and cook for another 20-30 minutes.
  9. Remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot. This stew pairs perfectly with crusty bread or over rice.

Notes

This stew freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. For a thicker stew, use cornstarch instead of flour or mash some potatoes against the slow cooker. If using fresh herbs, use triple the amount of dried herbs. The flavors improve overnight, making it perfect for meal prep.