Slow Cooker Chicken Stew – Cozy Comfort Food for Cold Days
When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of hearty stew. This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is everything you want in a cold-day meal: warm, filling, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. The best part? It’s a creamy chicken stew without heavy cream, so it feels lighter while still delivering that thick, velvety texture we all love.
Slow cooking allows the chicken, potatoes, and carrots to soak up all the savory herbs and broth, giving you a dish that tastes like it simmered on the stove all day—but with far less effort. Just toss everything into the slow cooker, let it bubble away, and by dinnertime you’ll have a satisfying one-pot meal the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
✔️ Creamy without cream – flour, potatoes, and milk give this stew its luscious thickness.
✔️ One-pot meal – protein, veggies, and potatoes all cook together.
✔️ Perfect for meal prep – leftovers taste even better the next day.
✔️ Family-friendly comfort food – cozy and nutritious at the same time.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 large potatoes (about 1 pound), cut into ½-inch cubes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup frozen green peas
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the flour, thyme, rosemary, and salt. This step helps create a light coating that will thicken the stew as it cooks.
2. Sauté for Flavor (Optional but Recommended)
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the chicken pieces on each side for 2–3 minutes. This adds a deeper, savory flavor to your stew. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step and place the chicken directly into the slow cooker.
3. Load the Slow Cooker
Add the browned chicken (or raw if skipping the browning step) into your slow cooker. Stir in the garlic, onion, carrots, potatoes, and chicken broth. Tuck in the bay leaf.
4. Slow Cook to Perfection
- Low: 6–7 hours
- High: 3–4 hours
The stew will become fragrant, the vegetables tender, and the chicken fall-apart soft.
5. Finish with Creaminess
Thirty minutes before serving, stir in the milk and frozen peas. Allow the stew to continue cooking until the peas are warmed through and the broth has thickened into a creamy consistency.
6. Serve & Enjoy
Remove the bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasoning with extra salt or black pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls and serve with crusty bread, biscuits, or a light green salad.
Tips for the Best Chicken Stew
- Use chicken thighs for the juiciest, most flavorful stew. Chicken breasts can be used, but they may dry out faster.
- Don’t skip the flour coating – it helps create a natural thickness without needing heavy cream.
- Want it even creamier? Swap half of the milk for evaporated milk or stir in a splash of half-and-half at the end.
- Add more veggies – celery, parsnips, or mushrooms would all be delicious.
Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: Use cornstarch instead of flour.
- Dairy-Free Option: Replace milk with unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk.
- Extra Hearty: Stir in a can of white beans for added protein and creaminess.
- Herb Twist: Add fresh parsley or dill right before serving for brightness.
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: This stew freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth or milk if needed.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is proof that comfort food can be wholesome and easy. With tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a silky broth, it’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table with smiles. Make it once, and it will quickly become part of your regular cold-weather dinner rotation.
So next time the temperature drops, plug in your slow cooker and let this cozy chicken stew warm your kitchen—and your soul. 🥣✨