Hearty Homemade Chicken Stew Recipe: Comfort in a Bowl

Hearty and comforting, this authentic chicken stew recipe brings warmth to your dinner table with every spoonful.

Tender chicken simmered in a rich, aromatic broth creates a meal that feels like a hug from the kitchen.

Robust vegetables mingle with perfectly seasoned meat, creating layers of deep, satisfying flavor.

Each ingredient has been carefully selected to deliver maximum taste and nourishment.

The stew golden-brown surface hints at the delectable experience waiting beneath.

Aromatic herbs and spices dance through the pot, promising a meal that will comfort and delight.

This stew transforms simple ingredients into a soul-warming masterpiece you’ll crave again and again.

Why Chicken Stew Feels So Comforting

• Chop ingredients beforehand for a stress-free cooking experience that transforms kitchen chaos into culinary calm.
• Browning chicken and sautéing vegetables in the same pot creates a deep, rich taste that makes every bite memorable and delicious.
• Easily whip up a hearty one-pot meal that warms the soul and satisfies hunger with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
• This versatile stew appeals to all ages, making it perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings where everyone can enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal.

Chicken Stew Ingredients

• Chicken Thighs: Tender and flavorful meat that creates the base of the stew.

• Onion, Celery, Carrots, Potatoes: Fresh vegetables that add depth, texture, and nutritional value to the chicken stew.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a rich, savory flavor to the dish.

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential for coating chicken and thickening the stew's broth.
• Herbs: Provides additional seasoning and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid base that creates a rich and hearty stew consistency.

How to Make Chicken Stew

Step 1: Prepare Chicken and Vegetables

Slice chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.

• Onion
• Celery
• Carrots
• Garlic

Having everything prepped beforehand makes cooking smoother and more enjoyable.

Step 2: Season and Sear Chicken

Coat chicken pieces with flour for a golden-brown exterior.

Heat a large pot and sear chicken until each piece develops a beautiful crispy exterior.

The golden crust locks in incredible flavor and creates delicious caramelization.

Step 3: Create Vegetable Base

Remove chicken from pot.

In the same cooking vessel, sauté vegetables using the remaining chicken drippings.

Scrape up browned bits from bottom of pot – these add deep, rich flavor to the stew.

Step 4: Develop Stew Thickness

Sprinkle additional flour over sautéed vegetables.

Stir continuously to prevent burning and ensure even coating.

Cook flour mixture for a few minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and create a smooth thickening agent.

Step 5: Combine and Simmer

Return chicken to pot.

• Potatoes
• Herbs
• Chicken broth
• Vegetable broth

Bring mixture to boil, then reduce heat.

Simmer for approximately 30 minutes until potatoes become tender and broth transforms into a luxurious, creamy consistency.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Cooking Tips for Chicken Stew

• Chop all ingredients beforehand to streamline your cooking process and reduce stress in the kitchen.
• Take time to brown chicken pieces properly, allowing a golden crust to develop for maximum flavor depth and rich texture.
• Use the same pot to sauté vegetables after browning chicken, capturing those delicious browned bits that add incredible taste to your stew.
• Sprinkle flour carefully over vegetables and cook briefly to eliminate raw flour taste and create a silky, smooth stew consistency.
• Let the stew simmer gently until potatoes become fork-tender, allowing flavors to meld and broth to reach a perfect, velvety thickness.

How to Store Chicken Stew

• Store leftover chicken stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining its delicious flavor and texture.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, it can last up to 4 months without losing taste or quality. Leave some space at the top for expansion.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Pour stew into a pot, add splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Slow reheating helps maintain original creamy consistency and prevents burning.

What Goes with Chicken Stew

• Pair with Rustic Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais to complement the rich, hearty chicken stew flavors without overpowering the delicate herbs.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Tear chunks of artisan sourdough to soak up the luxurious stew broth, adding a tangy contrast and satisfying texture to each bite.
• Match with Fresh Herb Salad: Toss a light green salad with fresh parsley, dill, and a bright lemon vinaigrette to cut through the stew's richness and provide a refreshing palate cleanser.
• Complement with Crisp Apple Cider: Pour a chilled hard apple cider to bring a subtle sweetness and acidic note that balances the savory depth of the chicken stew.

Cozy Chicken Stew Recipe Twists

• Vegetarian Comfort Stew: Replace chicken with hearty plant-based protein like cubed tofu, tempeh, or seitan. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a complete vegetarian version that maintains the rich, warming essence of the original recipe.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Option: Swap wheat flour with cornstarch or rice flour for coating chicken and thickening the stew. Ensure all broth and ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets for a lower-carbohydrate alternative. This variation keeps the stew's creamy texture while reducing overall carbohydrate content, perfect for keto and low-carb diet followers.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Herb Blend: Incorporate herbs like oregano, rosemary, and thyme to transform the classic chicken stew into a Mediterranean-style dish. Add some olives and a splash of white wine for an extra layer of complexity and regional flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breast, but chicken thighs are more flavorful and tender. Just be careful not to overcook breast meat, as it can become dry.

• Do I need to remove the skin from chicken thighs?

No, you can leave the skin on while cooking. The skin adds extra flavor and helps keep the meat moist during the stewing process.

• What if I don't have fresh herbs?

Dried herbs work perfectly fine. Use about 1/3 of the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh, as dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.

• Can I make this stew gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend. When using cornstarch, mix it with a little cold water before adding to the stew to prevent clumping.

Chicken Stew Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Portuguese chicken stew simmers with rich tomato broth, tender meat, and aromatic herbs that transport diners straight to rustic Mediterranean kitchens. Warm comfort awaits when you savor each spoonful of this soul-satisfying culinary treasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1.75 pounds (794 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Vegetables:

• 1 yellow onion
• 3 ribs celery
• 1/2 pound (227 grams) carrots
• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) baby potatoes
• 4 cloves garlic

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Gather and prepare all ingredients by dicing onions, celery, mincing garlic, and slicing carrots into uniform pieces to ensure smooth cooking workflow.
2. Coat chicken thigh pieces with flour, ensuring even coverage to create a golden-brown exterior that enhances flavor and helps thicken the stew.
3. Heat pan and sear chicken pieces until they develop a rich, caramelized crust, working in batches to prevent overcrowding and maintain high cooking temperature.
4. Remove browned chicken and utilize the same pan to sauté vegetables, scraping up flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the cookware.
5. Sprinkle remaining flour over sautéed vegetables, stirring continuously to create a roux and eliminate raw flour taste, approximately 2-3 minutes.
6. Reintroduce chicken to the pan, adding potatoes, herbs, and liquid broths, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer.
7. Allow stew to cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes become tender and the liquid reduces to a thick, luxurious consistency.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a balanced and rich flavor profile before serving hot.

Notes

• Use a sharp knife to ensure uniform vegetable sizes for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.
• Pat chicken pieces dry before flouring to achieve a crispier, more golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Maintain a gentle simmer to prevent meat from becoming tough, allowing flavors to meld beautifully and chicken to become tender.
• Swap chicken thighs with plant-based protein like tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version, using gluten-free flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg