Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is a hearty, comforting, and tasty dish made with chicken thighs, carrots, peas, and fragrant herbs cooked slowly until tender. It is an easy, cozy, one-pot meal.
This slow cooker chicken stew is one of those meals that I come back to over and over. It's hearty, filling, and only needs basic everyday ingredients.
There is nothing flashy or overly complicated about this crock pot chicken stew, which is part of its charm.
The slow cooker does most of the work, allowing the vegetables to soften and the chicken to become incredibly tender while the flavors slowly build together in a warm, savory broth.
I like to coat the chicken thighs in flour first, then pan fry them so they're lovely and browned. You can skip this step though, if you're short on time!
I like that this is the kind of recipe you can assemble early in the day, set aside, and trust that it will be ready when you need it later when everyone is home for dinner.
The consistency is thick enough to feel substantial but still brothy enough to be soothing.
The carrots add a little sweetness, the peas add freshness, and the herbs bring a clean and familiar flavor that feels like a hug in a bowl.
We tend to serve it with bread, like Outback Steakhouse Bread copycat.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Slow cooker chicken stew offers hands-off cooking, so you can prepare it early and let the flavors develop throughout the day.
- Chicken thighs become tender and juicy in the slow cooker, creating a stew with satisfying texture and richness.
- Crockpot meals like this reduce active kitchen time, making them ideal for weeknights, meal prep, or busy schedules.
- Homestyle chicken stew stores and reheats well, so leftovers remain flavorful and convenient for lunches or dinners later in the week.
- Family-friendly dinner ideas benefit from simple, familiar flavors that appeal to kids and adults alike.
- Healthy slow cooker recipes can feel hearty and satisfying while still relying on whole, everyday ingredients.
- Versatile chicken stew adapts easily with additional vegetables, herbs, or grains, depending on what you have on hand.
- Budget-friendly dinners like this use affordable staples and stretch well to serve multiple portions without sacrificing flavor.
What Does It Taste Like?
This slow cooker chicken stew has a gentle, well-rounded flavor.
The chicken thighs bring richness and tenderness, while the carrots add a subtle natural sweetness.
The broth is savory and lightly thickened from the flour used to coat the chicken and the slow-cooking process. The thyme and bay leaves add an herbal depth that feels classic and comforting.
When you stir in the peas at the end, they keep their brightness and help balance the warm, slow-cooked nature of the dish.
Ingredients
You only need simple pantry ingredients for this recipe!
- Chicken thighs. Use boneless skinless thighs for easier shredding and tender results.
- Chicken stock. Forms the savory broth that brings everything together.
- Onion. Adds flavor foundation and sweetness when softened.
- Carrots. Bring natural sweetness and bulk to the stew.
- Plain flour. Helps slightly thicken the stew and adds texture to the chicken.
- Dijon or wholegrain mustard. Adds subtle tang and a depth of flavor.
- Dried thyme or fresh thyme leaves. Provides earthy, comforting herbal notes.
- Bay leaves. Help round out the broth flavor as it simmers.
- Frozen peas. Add color, sweetness, and freshness at the end of cooking.
- Parsley. Brings brightness and freshness when sprinkled before serving.
- Salt and pepper. Essential for seasoning throughout cooking.
- Oil. Use any neutral oil suitable for sautéing.
See the recipe card for quantities and method.
How to make Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Follow these step-by-step instructions, then scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.
Scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.
Chop the onion and carrots and set aside.
(Optional) Coat the chicken thighs in the flour, seasoning with salt and pepper.
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and brown the chicken on both sides (2-3 minutes per side). Transfer to the slow cooker.
In the same pan, add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden. Add a splash of the stock to loosen any browned bits from the pan and pour everything into the slow cooker.
Add the carrots, stock, mustard, thyme, and bay leaves to the slow cooker and stir gently to combine.
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the chicken is falling apart and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Stir in the peas about 20-30 minutes before serving. Check seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper.
(Tip: If your chicken stew isn't that thick, you can mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch into 1 tablespoon of water, then stir it in and let the stew cook for a further few minutes.
Sprinkle with parsley. Delicious with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with crusty bread for dipping.
- Spoon over mashed potatoes for a comforting plate.
- Serve with buttered egg noodles to soak up the broth.
- Enjoy with rice for a simple, filling meal.
- Pair with steamed green beans or broccoli on the side.
- Serve with a simple garden salad for balance.
- Add grated Parmesan on top for a rich finish.
- Serve in a bread bowl for a cozy presentation.
Variations
- Add diced potatoes for a heartier stew.
- Use chicken breasts instead of thighs for a leaner version.
- Replace peas with green beans for a different texture.
- Add celery along with the carrots and onions for a mirepoix base.
- Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end for a richer broth.
- Use smoked paprika for a slightly smoky flavor profile.
- Add chopped mushrooms for an earthier flavor.
- Replace chicken stock with vegetable stock for a lighter flavor.
- Add pearl barley for extra bulk and texture.
- Substitute thyme with rosemary for a different herbal character.
Storage, Freezing, Make-Ahead Advice:
This crockpot chicken stew stores well in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days.
To freeze, allow the stew to cool completely and transfer to freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. It will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
To reheat, thaw overnight and warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If the stew thickens over time, you can add a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen it.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Recipe Tips
- Browning the chicken first helps develop deeper flavor.
- Do not skip sautéing the onions because this builds the flavor base.
- Add the peas near the end to preserve their color and texture.
- Taste and adjust salt before serving to match your preference.
- If the stew is thinner than you prefer, use a small cornstarch slurry to thicken it gently.
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 5 tablespoons all purpose flour
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cups carrots chopped
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon Dijon or wholegrain mustard
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1½ cups frozen peas added at the end
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Coat the chicken thighs in the flour, seasoning with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and brown the chicken on both sides (2-3 minutes per side). Transfer to the slow cooker.
- In the same pan, add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden. Add a splash of the stock to loosen any browned bits from the pan and pour everything into the slow cooker.
- Add the carrots, stock, mustard, thyme, and bay leaves to the slow cooker and stir gently to combine.
- Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the chicken is falling apart and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Stir in the peas about 20-30 minutes before serving. Check seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper. (Tip: If your chicken stew isn't that thick, you can mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch into 1 tablespoon of water, then stir it in and let the stew cook for a further few minutes.
- Sprinkle with parsley. Delicious with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
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