Description
A hearty and healthy slow cooker chicken stew perfect for cozy fall evenings, featuring tender chicken thighs, fresh vegetables, and warming herbs.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 medium carrots, sliced (about 1/4 inch thick)
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (950 ml)
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (75 g)
Instructions
- Prep your veggies: chop carrots, celery, onion, and sweet potato into bite-sized pieces; mince garlic.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until translucent (about 3 minutes), then add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Layer chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add carrots, celery, sweet potatoes, and sautéed onion and garlic on top.
- Pour in chicken broth. Add fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours until chicken is tender and vegetables are soft.
- Remove chicken thighs and shred with two forks. Discard bones if any. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Stir in frozen peas and warm through for a few minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optionally a splash of apple cider vinegar.
- Serve warm with crusty bread or over brown rice.
Notes
Sautéing onion and garlic before adding to the slow cooker deepens flavor but can be skipped for convenience. Keep the lid on during cooking to retain heat. Shred chicken for better texture and flavor distribution. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end to brighten flavors. If stew is too watery after cooking, remove lid for last 30 minutes to thicken broth. Can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and sweet potatoes with regular potatoes or butternut squash.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: chicken stew, slow cooker, healthy stew, fall recipe, comforting meal, easy dinner, chicken thighs, slow cooker recipe